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Guinevere clearly had feelings about that table… and about the lack of a crown upon her head. Parys looked at her closer over the rim of his wineglass. She’d traded the traditional terrestrial attire of woolen knits in various shades of green and brown for a Goldstones uniform. The version she wore covered more of her body than Lyrena’s. She’d opted for tighter fitting leather trousers rather than the flowing pantaloons.

If she’d been born an elemental, her power would have been wind or fire. Those golden eyes were the only hint of the fiery soul that simmered beneath, but Parys knew it was there. Knew that if she had wind, it would not be the merry and joyous sort he had. It would be harsh and brutal. Deadly.

But just then, her eyes revealed nothing. Other than their lingering on the table, which said plenty on its own.

Parys cleared his throat again. “We could eat there. Veyka isn’t here to chastise us.”

Guinevere didn’t laugh. Parys wasn’t even certain she could laugh. He’d definitely never witnessed such a thing.

“That table has haunted me for a hundred years. It sat in my father’s great hall for more than a thousand before that,” she said.

“Must have been terrible to try and decorate around.”

The barest hint of a smile. “It was, that.”

She took one more drink of her wine glass, then set it aside with crisp finality. “I will never be High Queen of Annwyn. But I’ve vowed to enforce its laws. My feelings about the humans are irrelevant. I will dismantle The Shadows because they undermine the security of Baylaur and the High King and Queen’s thrones.”

She stood up sharply. Apparently, she was done eating.

Parys couldn’t resist the chance to needle her one more time. Maybe he’d get another smile out of her.

He tipped back in his chair until he was balancing precariously on the back two legs. But his wind power kept him balanced easily. He gave her his best roguish grin. “Dessert?”

She rolled her tawny eyes and disappeared through the doors before the front two feet of his chair hit the goldstone floor.

40

VEYKA

My fault.

If I could have commanded the void, I could have been there in seconds, rather than hours.

My fault.

I could be back in Baylaur, warning them. Telling them everything we’d learned in the human realm. I could already be in Avalon.

My fault.

If I could do any of those things, this journey to Avalon would be unnecessary.

But reason had no place in my mind.

Guilt. Shame.

Those I deserved.

All those months spent on my own revenge, at the cost of all else. At the cost of my kingdom.

A looming darkness.

The darkness the humans feared could come to Annwyn. Already had in isolation. But if it spread…

I had to get to Avalon—find Avalon.

Demand answers.

And get back to Baylaur as quickly as possible.