Page 68 of Thorns and Echoes

If Yelena pushed too far, she would discover the snake she had trapped was more like a dragon. Anais made a mistake leaving Jerome. Had she stayed, they would have easily cut down the guards, found Vern before he left the castle, and stolen Castien from the throne. They could be riding home now.

She strode into the dining hall instead, flanked by guards who had taken one look at her sword and given her space. A smirk graced her lips as she walked into the chatter of courtiers.Prince Balak winked at her from his horde of courtesans. She ignored him.

Yelena silenced the room with a tap of her claws against her goblet. “Thank you for finally joining us, Sister Anais. Drantarians do like their beauty sleep, don’t you?”

The Nadraken Queen lounged in her gilded throne. A flowing golden gown adorned her today, making her look one with the chair. In the same spot as yesterday, Castien kneeled on a pillow. He appeared unharmed. That was all Anais allowed herself to assess.

“My Escort in your dungeons,” she said in a bored tone. “Release him. I will have no others attend me but my own.”

Yelena sighed. “Can we have a single peaceful meal before making demands? Please, have a seat. We will, of course, discuss your… unique situation.”

Her claws gestured to a table surrounded by handsome young men, all with black hair and open shirts displaying muscled chests.

Anais was tempted to gut each and every one of them.

Instead, she sauntered toward them, eyeing them like the prey they were. They stood with hands behind their backs, shoulders straight, heads lowered. So obedient. So well-trained.

As she took a seat, her eyes caught on the silvery-red stars dangling from their ears. Slaves.

She could free them. All she had to do was remove the earrings. That would declare her intent to purchase them.

She had no funds to purchase them with. A favor to Yelena was out of the question. An exchange? The duchess came to mind.

One of the slaves moved in the corner of her vision. His hands hovered over her shoulders. “Highness, may I–”

She grabbed his hand, twisted, and slammed his arm onto the table. The poor man cried out. Courtiers who had resumed their conversations fell silent.

In a whisper she knew would carry, she told the cringing servant, “Touch me again, and I will bleed you dry.” Then she shoved him away and faced an amused Yelena. “As I said,Sister. My own attendant.”

The Queen shrugged. “Yes, well, I would, but… he murdered two of my best guards. My healers are tending to him, and he'll be treated well, all things considered. He'll be returned to you after the tournament. Truce or not, I can't let him wander freely. I've even constrained my sweet toy – you are quite right. A treasonous creature like him should be watched ever so closely.”

She waved a hand, twisting a length of thick rope around her fingers. The rope led to a collar around Castien's neck.

Yelena was remarkably confident for how vulnerable she was. Twenty steps, one cut. Vern would cover her. She was certain he had followed her. Could they fight their way to Jerome before the guards slit his throat? Her gaze flicked to the walls. None of the guards had a crossbow ready. The two nearest the bitch had their eyes on courtiers closest to the throne. They wouldn't react in time.

She shifted her feet.

Yelena's eyes snapped to the doors. Her taunting twisting of Castien's leash stopped, and her gloating smile thinned. Whatever was distracting the Queen made for the perfect moment to take advantage. But Anais’ instincts told her to turn as well.

Through the wide doors of the dining hall marched two women in grey leathers, swords at their belts, shields at their backs. A herald called out a name. The soldiers turned on their heels and marched to each side.

Queen Yelena's voice rang out, “Shoni’i is welcome to my court. Commander Aurora, your mother honors Nadraken by trusting us with the general of her armies. I hope we can set aside past grievances.”

The Commander strode past Anais with a cool nod of acknowledgement. She approached the throne and bowed in that precise way of a soldier. “Shoni'i greets the Queen of Nadraken. My Queen Eolani sends her regards – and a simple message. Shoni'i does not retreat.”

Yelena's laughter sparkled a bit too brightly. “Yes, yes, I understand. Eolani has ever been so possessive. But that little border skirmish isn't on my mind right now. I'd like to formally invite Shoni'i to my Consort Tournament to be held in just a few days. It's a bit abrupt, I know, but that seems to be the trend lately. Will you join, Commander?”

Aurora bowed again. As she accepted the invitation, Anais stared at Balak's dancing eyes and broad grin. He must have been certain she would agree to his offer now.

What was Aurora doing here?

The real question was, why were all the other nations visiting Nadraken at the same time? Only Delia was missing, presumably late.

Yelena had said ‘a true Consort's Tournament’. Was this tournament not as unplanned as it appeared? What other reason was there to gather all five nations together?

Four. Drantar hadn't been invited.

Vern's suspicions edged into her mind. Perhaps Satryani had been invited.