33
Aerity couldn’t help but notice the tension throughout her father’s office as Harrison, Lief, and two officers filtered in—a tension that had nothing to do with the danger at hand. She held in an inappropriate smile as Harrison and Lief shifted, looking everywhere but at each other or Wyneth. Tiern and Vixie were the last to arrive. Vixie had a bow and quiver of arrows across her back.
“I see you’re staying armed these days,” Aerity admired, “even within the castle.”
“I’ve been practicing with Tiern. I just . . . I feel more comfortable having it.”
“All right, then.” Aerity moved to the map of Eurona on her father’s desk. “The eight of us will have to come up with aplan to protect the kingdom from imminent attack. We don’t know when or how, but we know it’s coming. I want another proclamation issued throughout the lands today. Homes and businesses should prepare as needed. Everyone should be on the lookout.”
“Should we hold off on the Lashed infirmaries, Your Highness?” asked Harrison.
“No. Life should proceed as normal. It could be months before the Kalorians decide to attack. Perhaps the existence of the infirmaries will deter the Rocato woman when she sees we are making changes, though I’m not counting on it.”
Harrison nodded. Aerity listened to their counsel and together they decided how many soldiers to place in which areas, mostly to protect royal lands.
“There’s simply not enough manpower to protect all the villages,” one of the officers said. Aerity swallowed her bitter disappointment. Hundreds of new, young faces had joined the army and navy after her parents were kidnapped, but their forces were still stretched too thin.
“Your Highness,” said the senior officer, “perhaps you, Princess Vixie, and Lady Wyneth should join your family on the Isle of Evie while we wait this out—”
“No,” Aerity said.
“It’s not a bad idea,” Lief interjected.
“My answer is no. Wyneth and Vixie have my blessing to go, but I must stay.”
“Absolutely not!” Vixie huffed.
“I’m not leaving you,” Wyneth said firmly. They bothlooked defiantly at the faces around the room, and the men did not argue. Harrison looked down and rubbed his jaw.
Aerity said to the officers, “Go. Send out the next proclamation. And have our fastest messengers deliver word to Toresta and Zorfina of our circumstances.”
When the senior officer opened the door, they saw a guard standing there, about to knock. He gave the princess a quick bow, his eyes alight.
“Your Highness, we have visitors.”
Aerity’s heart beat a heavy hammer. “Who?”
“The king and queen of Ascomanni and their council, Princess.”
Lief gave her a surprised look before bolting from the room.
Suspicion flapped through Aerity like an angry crow. She peered at Harrison. The last time foreign royalty had come to the castle, her parents had disappeared. But Harrison gave her a nod.
“They are allies,” he reminded her. “And Lief’s people. You will be surrounded by armed guards at all times. I’ll make sure of it.”
“All right.” Aerity looked at the guard. “Let them in. Have the kitchen prepare breakfast in the formal dining room. That is where we shall meet.”
The feeling of unease did not leave Aerity as she stood before the doors to the dining room, dressed in finery, an emerald heavy against her forehead. As the doors opened, she sawthat Harrison had been true to his word about guards. They lined the room, but they were not alone. The Ascomanni had brought many guards of their own.
King Dagur and Queen Agnetha Vikani stood when Aerity entered, along with Lief and a couple Aerity didn’t recognize. All were wearing the finest fur-lined leather vests, with kilts and boots. Harrison and Wyneth stepped to the far end of the table. Aerity went to her father’s spot, feeling extraordinarily strange at the head of the table. Vixie took the queen’s chair at her side. Still standing, Aerity addressed the visiting king and queen.
“We meet again, King Dagur and Queen Agnetha.”
The king inclined his head. “We have much to discuss, Princess.”
“Surely you are weary from your travels. Please, accept our hospitality before we discuss any matters.”
The king looked down at his plateful of food before nodding his agreement. As they all sat, Lief remained standing.
