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C ora’s suggestion was followed by dull silence. She didn’t blame those around her for their shock. Even she found the idea she was about to propose daunting. Locating the Forest People might be impossible. They might not welcome her back, even as a visitor. Not all members of the commune had agreed with the elders’ decision to involve themselves with the battle at Centerpointe Rock, and Cora’s very existence defied the Forest People’s primary rule: never get involved with royals or royal matters.

Still, she could think of no better way to find at least some answers. Solutions too, if they were lucky.

Mareleau finally broke the silence. “What do you mean we’ll go to the Forest People?”

“Who…” Lily’s soft voice was barely audible, but she cleared her throat and tried again. “Who are the Forest People, if you don’t mind me asking? Um…Majesty?”

Cora offered Lily a gentle smile. “Don’t worry about calling me Majesty here. To answer your question, the Forest People are a commune of witches and Faeryn descendants. They raised me for six years when I was living in exile from Ridine Castle.”

Cora’s gaze flashed to Alden and Hardingham, who revealed no discomfort at her explanation. They already knew the truth about her past, about Morkai and magic, but she was still getting used to speaking so freely about such subjects with her closest allies. Part of her expected to be condemned for daring to voice the truth, much like Lords Kevan and Ulrich had done, devils take their souls.

“The Forest People know about the prophecy,” Cora said. “I’ve heard them speak about it before, but I didn’t have enough context to understand what they were saying. If anyone could give us a clue about how to deal with the dragons, it’s them.”

She’d been so shocked when the Forest People elders had spoken about the prophecy. It was the first time she realized the elders held vast knowledge they didn’t share with the rest of the commune. If anyone knew the most, it would be Salinda, the commune’s Keeper of Histories and Cora’s former foster mother.

“You’ve lost me,” Lex said. “I don’t know a damn thing about this prophecy.”

“I’ll fill you in before you leave,” Teryn said.

Cora continued. “Furthermore, there’s still the mystery of Ailan. Darius and Ailan were trapped outside the Veil together. If Darius is still alive, Ailan might be too. She might be our key to sorting this all out, and the Forest People might have some clue as to how or where we could find her.”

“I still don’t understand,” Mareleau said, an icy edge to her tone. “Why would Noah and I come with you to find them?”

“They may know how to suppress your magic without the collar,” Cora said. It was the only reason she sought to bring Mareleau with her. “I know how to draw mental wards around my own magic, but I haven’t a clue how to teach you to do it, nor how to do it for you. The Forest People have witches skilled in protective wards.”

Larylis spoke next. His voice was slow and controlled, but his rigid posture betrayed his composure. “Couldn’t you find the Forest People first and bring someone back to aid her?”

Cora sighed. “I doubt I could convince any of them to leave the commune, much less set foot on royal land. The Forest People take great lengths to stay out of royal matters.”

“So they might not help me anyway,” Mareleau said.

“I think if we go to them, they will. I know at least some will be open to it. We have to try. You said it yourself, you can’t keep that collar on forever.”

“I take it you intend to bring Mareleau and Noah alone,” Larylis said, and this time his tone was far from controlled, “as you’ve said nothing about me. Or Teryn. From this, I must surmise you intend for me to be separated from my wife and newborn son.”

She swallowed hard and forced herself to meet his eyes. Her fatigue was growing by the minute, which made for weak mental shields. Already the emotions of her companions were invading her senses. Larylis’ anxiety slammed into her, tinged with fear, grief, and anger. She wished she could allay those feelings, but she couldn’t. She could only add to them. “A naval fleet is heading for Vera’s shores. I can’t tell you what to do, but I’m certain you already know the necessary course of action.”

He cursed under his breath, his hand curling into a fist over his armrest. “I must ready Vera’s defenses,” he said through his teeth.

Cora took a fortifying breath before shifting her gaze to Teryn. His eyes were distant. He sat sideways in his seat, elbow on his armrest, jaw propped on his palm. He rubbed his brow with his free hand. “And I must stay here to act as Khero’s ruler while you’re gone. The queen and her consort can’t both be absent at such a tumultuous time.”

Cora’s heart cracked. He was taking this decision better than she expected, but that was only on the outside. Inside, his emotions were just as frayed and raw as Larylis’ were. She hated doing this to him. Hated that this was her idea and that she’d leave him so soon after their wedding. Berol nipped at his cheek from her place on the back of his chair. He gave the falcon a sad smile and scritched her feathered chest.

“Well, it’s lovely that everyone else seems resigned to this absolutely ridiculous plan,” Mareleau said, not bothering to hide her ire, “but I still have several questions. How the devils are we supposed to find the Forest People?”

Cora winced. She’d told Mareleau about her past in one of the many letters she’d written to her friend over the last several months, which meant she knew the commune was nomadic. They moved camps every season, ensuring they were never in any place long enough to draw local attention, as well as to follow the most favorable weather. Yet Cora knew the general area the commune would be in. As it was still winter, they would be in southwest Khero. Though that wouldn’t last for long. The commune would move again by Ostara, which was two weeks away.

That left only one option.

She’d have to locate them with her magic and use her worldwalking abilities to travel directly to them. She hadn’t a clue if she could accomplish the first task?—

If you can feel them, we can find them , came Valorre’s voice.

She relaxed slightly. He’d checked in with her frequently throughout the day to assure her he was in no danger from the dragons. Knowing he was still safe was enough to smooth the edges of her nerves. Yet his words did little to bolster her confidence.

You said that before and things didn’t work out so well , she reminded him. It was how they’d ended up in El’Ara. Cora had been in the process of feeling her way to the Forest People—or trying to, at least—when Valorre had somehow overridden her focus with visions of his own. Of his original home. He’d taken the step that was required to initiate Cora’s abilities, and they’d found themselves in the fae realm.

That was my fault , Valorre said. I won’t do that again .

I still don’t know if it’s possible.

I think it is. I believe we can do it together. I’m your familiar, remember?

She relaxed even more. Valorre was indeed her familiar. She used to scoff at the concept of familiars, seeing them only as a witch’s pet devoid of a magical bond. But now she understood it was more than that. As her familiar, Valorre strengthened her magic. She never could have entered El’Ara without him, without his visions, memories, and his horn’s ability to pierce the Veil. But would they be able to find a place neither of them had physically been?

We can find the Forest People. I’m sure of it .

She hoped he was right. She needed him to be right. Otherwise, they’d be searching forever.

She voiced her idea aloud and received another long stretch of silence.

Then Mareleau barked a laugh. “You’re going to use magic to find them. And you’re somehow going to do it with me and Noah in tow.”

“That’s too dangerous,” Larylis said. “Have you ever used your abilities with another person before?”

“With Valorre, but not with another human being. I’ll practice first.” She didn’t bother feigning confidence. She knew this was madness. Yet they had to try. Her one consolation was that she suspected it was possible. The Elvyn had told her how Darius had used his abilities to bring in human armies to attack El’Ara with iron weapons. That meant he’d been able to travel with multiple people at once. Cora hated comparing herself to him, but if it meant her goal was viable…

“I’ll practice with Teryn,” she said, “if he’ll let me.”

“Of course,” he said at once. “With Berol too.”

“Berol?”

He offered the falcon a strip of meat and she hopped from his backrest to his shoulder pad. “You’re taking her with you. As soon as you find the Forest People, send her back to me so I know it worked.”

It was a risk adding another being to her travels. She’d already have to worldwalk with Valorre, Mareleau, and Noah. Now Berol too. And that was only if she managed to locate the commune. “We’ll all do our best to rest tonight, and I’ll practice in the morning. As soon as I’m certain I can accomplish this feat, we’ll depart.”

“You’ll depart,” Larylis echoed, “as early as tomorrow?”

“Yes. Likewise, I assume you’ll want to leave for Vera at once.” She hated that every word deepened the agonized look in his eyes. There was only one concession she could offer. “After I find the Forest People and they’ve helped Mareleau suppress her magic without the collar, I’ll bring her and Noah straight to Verlot Palace. I’ve physically been there, so it won’t be a challenge for me to worldwalk there.”

That eased some of the pain on his face but he said nothing.

Cora shifted her gaze to Mareleau, awaiting her next objection. She didn’t blame her friend for her qualms. No, she fully understood them. If Mareleau decided not to come with Cora to speak to the Forest People, she’d accept her decision. But she was confident they could help mask her magic and render the collar unnecessary. Cora couldn’t stand the thought of her wearing it a second longer, and that was only considering her friend’s pain. There were other possible complications, like infection.

To her surprise, some of the fire seemed to go out of Mareleau. She shrank down, as if sinking into her own resignation. Her voice came out hollow as she spoke. “You said the Forest People might have answers about the prophecy. They might know more about Noah’s role in it. About…my role.”

Cora could only nod. A bitter ache flashed through her, a reminder of how she’d been targeted for that very role. A role that was never hers to play.

“And they are firmly against Darius,” Mareleau said, “who we know sees us as his enemy.”

Another nod.

Her eyes grew distant. “Then they very well may be the only ones who can help.”

“I think they’re our best chance at understanding the situation we’re in,” Cora said.

“Fine.” Mareleau rose from her chair in a rush. The chair legs screeched against the flagstones as she shoved the piece of furniture back, then promptly swept from the room without another word.

Larylis was much slower to rise, and he lingered at the table for several long moments before he spoke. “I don’t like it. I don’t like any of this. But I understand the necessity of this plan.”

That was all Cora could have hoped for. None of them liked the situation they were in, but if everyone understood and accepted how they must proceed, Cora could be satisfied.

Larylis followed his wife. Alden and Hardingham exited the council room next. That left only Lex and Lily.

Lex gave them a wary grimace. “I only understood a solid half of what we talked about just now, and I sure don’t envy you. I almost feel guilty for leaving tomorrow, but this isn’t exactly my circus or my monkeys.”

Cora frowned. “Did you just call my kingdom a circus?”

Lily placed a hand on her husband’s forearm. “What he means is, even though we must return to our own kingdom, we will do whatever we can to help.”

“That’s exactly what I meant!” Lex beamed. “You can count on us to pass on any intel about the King of Syrus. If he’s in southern Norun near Vinias, we’ll hear about it while we journey home to Tomas. Vinias is a neutral kingdom, and they aren’t known for discretion when it comes to other kingdoms’ affairs. Then again, it also makes them a shit ally when they’re all that stands between you and a kingdom that seeks to?—”

Lily elbowed him. “As promised, we’ll keep you apprised of rebel activity in Norun too. The rebels may not be able to keep King Darius at bay, but if they succeed at stirring chaos in Norun—or, as we hope, taking Haldor and Sparda back—he won’t be able to depend on Norun’s military forces to aid him.”

That sparked something like hope in Cora’s chest. “Thank you.”

Once Lex and Lily exited the room, leaving Cora and Teryn alone at last, Cora swept over to her husband. He was still slumped sideways in his chair, and when she kneeled before his legs, Berol launched from his shoulder to the rafters. Teryn gave her a sorrowful smile. She returned it and scooted closer on the floor, resting her head on his thigh. There was something comforting about sitting like this, with him in the chair, her on the floor, his leg a firm pillow. It made her feel—at least for now—like she didn’t have to be the one in charge. The queen responsible for weighty decisions. Like this, she could be small and afraid, soothed by the man she loved.

He extended a hand and ran his fingers over her smooth tresses. She wore a simple day dress beneath her more formal robe, her hair in a long braid. They stayed like that for several quiet and contented moments.

Then Cora angled her face until their eyes locked. “This isn’t how I wanted to spend the first day of our marriage.”

His hand left her hair to brush her cheek. “Nor I. If someone had told me I’d have my new wife on her knees before me on my wedding night, I’d have had a much different picture in mind.”

She was too tired to even blush at his words, though she appreciated his attempt at levity. So badly she wanted to believe their night could be salvaged. She’d been looking forward to an encore of the passion they’d explored the night he’d arrived. But now, with the lost lives of the archers weighing on her heart, as well as her anxiety over what was to come, this wasn’t the time for desire.

Teryn knew it too, for he did nothing to take advantage of their current position, despite his teasing words. Instead, he continued to caress her cheek, her hair, while she nestled against his leg, breathing in the scent of him, letting his stoic calm—however feigned—forge a moment of peace in this godsforsaken day.