She was processing, Mila said. Trying to come to terms with not only the war we’d survived but the conversations she’d had with Tolek regarding their father’s manipulation.
Many long conversations, all driving her to a bottle now.
It hadn’t become a problem yet. Merely a habit to watch, which Mila took responsibility for. It was her own way of coping. Lyria found distractions. Mila nurtured and organized. And I talked to Mila.
She was good at managing everyone’s emotions. Checking in with each of us, helping us work through the demons at ourbacks. So, I did that for her when flashes of blood-strewn, snowy mountains or a cage beneath the ground clawed at her.
“Let’s get you back to your bed,” Mila said, crossing the room to help her friend off the couch. The scars warping the skin across her legs shone in the morning sun. “You can sleep until dinner?—”
Before Mila could finish that thought, the entire tower shuddered with two large booms.
“Oh, Damien’s shining cock, can’t I have one day of rest?” Lyria grumbled, and neither Mila nor I could help laughing this time.
Jezebel and Eristastrode into the entrance chamber of Mila’s suite as Lyria made herself presentable, straightening her leathers and tugging her errant hair into a braid. Barrett and Dax followed on the girls’ heels.
“We heard your entrance,” the prince said, swiping a hand through his sleep-mussed curls.
“We weren’t expecting you so soon,” Dax forced through a yawn.
“Things have changed,” Jezebel said, tugging off the thick leather gloves she wore when she flew.
“You really should be more conspicuous, Jez,” I scolded, but hugged the younger Alabath tightly, her black flying leathers cold even through my tunic. “I thought we agreed you’d hide the khrysaor and make the end of your journey on horseback?”
Jezebel snorted a laugh. “Have you seen how dense the fog is across the swamplands today? We’d never be seen, especially landing on the highest towers.”
I peeked around her shoulder toward the wide window of the sitting room doorway. A thick layer of gray rolled across the land below the tower.
“The canopies over the swamplands nearly block the skies from sight anyway,” Erista added. The bun her curls were slicked back into today didn’t so much as wobble as she nodded to assure us. “We didn’t go anywhere near the cities in case the fog parted.”
Barrett dipped his chin in appreciation, a slow grin spreading across his face. Jezebel launched herself at him, and he caught her with a sweeping hug.
Setting her down, he said, “I’ll accept my well wishes and congratulations when you’re ready. Has the Revered sent an offering?”
“What?” Jezebel’s brows scrunched.
“Aren’t you here because of Barrett’s approaching partnership?” Mila asked.
Jezebel and Erista looked between the prince and his consort, and my stomach turned over. “What’s happened, Jez?”
“Ophelia didn’t want to put it in writing, but Queen Ritalia’s arrival has been confirmed.”
A cold chill passed through the room, every smile fading and every spine straightening. “When?” I asked.
“Two days from now.”
“How do you know?” Dax crossed his arms, feet planted and ready for battle.
“Lancaster and Mora returned last night,” Jezebel said. “Said she was three days out and we are expected to greet her. Ophelia wants us to fly back tonight.”
“Who else?” I jerked my head toward the sitting room. We may as well be comfortable for this.
“The queen travels with her court and requests Ophelia do the same.”
“Court?” I echoed.
“Bant’s cock.” Barrett dragged a hand down his face. “I’m getting flashbacks of my mother.” The leader of the only warrior clan to retain titles and habits such as queen and holding court.
Barrett walked straight for the liquor cart beneath the window and poured himself a glass of deep red wine.
