Page 51 of Winds of Darkness

Eliné, Talwyn’s aunt, had resided in the Black Halls. It was the sister castle at the mouth of the Tykese on the southern part of the continent between the Water Court and Earth Court. Talwyn had been Queen of the Eastern Courts for several decades, her aunt slowly easing her into the duties, but Eliné had still been highly involved in the affairs of the Eastern Courts. She’d still been heavily guiding her niece, and this last year without Queen Eliné had taken its toll on more than the young queen.

Still, Ashtine had grown up with Talwyn, and when she had become queen, she had asked Ashtine to be her Third-in-Command. With Eliné around, Ashtine had found her duties hadn’t changed much, and now with the upheaval of recent events, she wasn’t sure what was expected of her. Technically, Talwyn didn’t rule over all the Courts. The Fire Prince would be the acting sovereign until evidence of Eliné’s death was undeniable, she provided a means to step down, or all the sitting Royals came together and made a unanimous decision to let Talwyn take both thrones.

The Western Courts would never allow such a thing.

The lost one approaches,came the whispered murmur of the winds seconds before the heavy front doors of the White Halls opened.

Talwyn stepped through, her mahogany hair braided back. Jade green eyes fixed on Ashtine, her features taut. She wore a white tunic with fitted brown pants. It was her usual attire. She didn’t have her fighting leathers on, but there were various daggers in place. Her customary twin blades were also absent, and Ashtine tilted her head at that observation. She always had at least one on her.

“Why are you standing out here?” Talwyn asked, her tone brusque. She always spoke like that, though, even before her aunt’s abrupt disappearance. But there had once been an underlying softness, and that was still usually reserved for Ashtine. Not this morning, apparently.

That was fine.

Ashtine was on a peculiar edge herself. Briar hadn’t been to the Wind Court in weeks. In fact, she hadn’t spoken to him since the morning he’d all but dismissed her on the beach. He’d sent a few messages to see if she’d learned anything more, but after the second one, Ashtine had stopped bothering with replies. If he’d suddenly become too busy to help her like he’d offered, that was fine. She didn’t need to appease his guilty conscience, or whatever it was he was trying to do. It confused her, and things that confused her made her irritable.

Like the nonstop chattering of the winds about war and bloodshed and the land across the sea.

And Briar’s words constantly replaying in her mind:If others are not taking your concerns seriously, it is because you are allowing such a thing.

Her winds swirled, tossing her flowing hair across her face, and the queen took notice. Talwyn could command the winds as well. She could also control earth elements, along with Shifter magic she had yet to delve too deeply into. But despite having wind magic,the winds did not accost her as they did Ashtine, and the queen could not walk among them.

Talwyn’s tone had softened a touch when she stepped to the side, making room for the Wind Princess to pass. “Come inside, Ashtine. Have breakfast with me.”

Ashtine wasn’t the least bit hungry, but she nodded once. “Thank you,” she replied, moving gracefully through the entry and into the halls. The warmth of the castle wrapped around her, but she didn’t feel it. Not as the winds immediately started a tirade.

The rivers will run red.

The lands will be divided.

Which side will you choose?

Which side will she choose?

Across the sea.

The balance tips.

“Ashtine.” Her name was sharp on Talwyn’s tongue, but her given name pulled her from the winds’ grasp. Talwyn was the only one who used it.

And the Water Prince as of late. Or at least he had been.

“I have never seen you look so …” Talwyn trailed off, her gaze sliding over Ashtine as the princess pulled her cloak from her shoulders and passed it off to the waiting staff. “Are you unwell?”

“Why do you ask such a thing?”

“I have not seen you in some time. You are pale and thin, and you seem … haunted.”

Ashtine fell into step beside the queen as they made their way to the dining room. “I do not have phantoms disturbing me.”

“No, not—” Talwyn cut herself off. “I simply mean you appear troubled.”

“We are all troubled in these times,” Ashtine replied, nodding to the male who pushed the dining room doors open.

But her steps faltered when she entered and found another male already seated at the table.

A snake in the grass.

For once, Ashtine wasn’t sure if those were the whispers of the winds or her own thoughts.