Page 25

Keltania

After the medical staff treat my wounds, I return to my room and collapse onto my bed. What Valen did in the village was nothing short of amazing, but it sapped every ounce of strength I had. It drained him, too, because he sleeps for an hour before he joins me. I’m still half asleep when he walks in.

“I know we lost some Fae, but we saved a lot, too, right?” I ask, sitting up and trying to cover a yawn.

“We did, yes.” He sighs. “The estate is a bit more crowded now.” He moves to the far wall and leans against the closet door. His shoulders are slumped and his hair a mess, but his color is better. His breathing is more even.

“Why?”

“Well, now that Suveo is here, his ego takes up a fair amount of room.” Valen rolls his eyes. “Do you know that he demanded a royal suite?”

“Sounds about right…”

“Also…the village…” He runs a hand through his long black hair. It’s usually tied back, but he lost the band during the fight, and after sleeping on it, it’s wild. He hasn’t bothered to retie it, and I’m glad. I like it like this. It fits him. “The village was almost completely destroyed, and the majority of people had no place to go. Even those who didn’t lose their homes were afraid to stay, so…I had the guards bring them all here.”

“You…brought the entire village to the estate?”

He shrugs. “The council isn’t thrilled. Security concerns. Blah, blah, blah.” His expression sags a bit. “But what else could I do? They’re my responsibility.”

“That’s very…noble of you,” I say with a smile.

He shrugs again. “Anyone else would have done the same.”

How can he not see how wrong he is? I can’t see Suveo—or Wren, for that matter—sacrificing their home and comfort for their people. Gensted, maybe. But I won’t push Valen on this. He needs to see for himself that he is the perfect one to rule.

“I’ll gladly offer my room if we need the space,” I say.

“I already tried that. Celpin had a meltdown. He said no civilians were allowed into the main wing. Kopic even agreed with him. Can you imagine?” He laughs, but it’s forced, missing his usual lightness. “I did convince him to relocate the council members here, as well as most of the guard. The villagers can use the barracks, along with any other public space in the estate.”

I swing my legs over the edge of the bed. The room spins and dips a bit, but the dizziness passes. More people means more caution.

He grabs my arm to steady me. “We’re meeting now to discuss the final details for the transfer. Everyone’s here, and we can’t put it off.” He stands and takes several steps toward the door. “I know you purposely avoided the council when we got back… You’ve been through a lot today. No one would find it strange if you stayed in to rest.”

“No,” I say. This is one meeting I can’t miss. “I’m coming with you.”

Everyone else is already waiting in the throne room when we arrive. Zana huffs an annoyed sigh and moves to the center of the room, a burlap sack in her hands. “The plan is to do the transfer midday tomorrow.”

“Why wait?” Suveo stalks back and forth, pointing to Valen. “We’re here. He has magic. Let’s do it now.”

“There are last-minute preparations to be made,” Zana says. “The soonest we can be ready is tomorrow.”

The Summer monarch snorts. “I thought this was a life-or-death situation? If attack is imminent, the landscape dire, why are you not ready now?”

Zana shoves the burlap sack in Suveo’s face. “Because these things take time. Preparation . Valen needs to rest after expending all his energy to save this place just hours ago.” She clears her throat and collects herself. “This isn’t going to be easy. Everyone should get as much rest as they can. Take these.” She reaches into the small sack and pulls out a handful of stones. Handing one to each of the four court leaders, she adds, “Keep these on you until the ritual. It will help me focus Valen’s energy into each of you during the transfer.”

There’s a rumble of agreement, and everyone starts to filter from the room. Valen hangs back and motions for me to do the same. Once we’re alone, Zana shakes her head. “Tania can’t be with us when we do the transfer tomorrow.”

Valen stiffens. “Why not?”

Zana doesn’t answer.

But she doesn’t have to. “It will give us away,” I say.

Valen looks from Zana to me, then back again. He’s trying—and failing—to hide his irritation. “What does that mean?”

“It means that what I’m attempting to do is complicated and…taxing. There are risks.”

“You said it was safe.” There’s a twinge of uncertainty in his voice.

“All my research tells me that it’s safe. For you.” Zana frowns. “But there’s nothing in the texts about a human druid who happens to be linked to the Fae in question. If Tania is with us and she has even the slightest reaction, then the truth will come out.”

“That can’t happen,” he says slowly. “But if there’s a chance that something will happen to her—”

“The risk is low,” Zana says. “But I imagine there will be some amount of discomfort.”

“It’ll be fine,” I assure him. “I’ll stay in my room until it’s over.” It’s the best chance we have. He cannot afford to waver.

“We’ll proceed at noon tomorrow,” Zana says. “In this room. Do not be late, Valen.”