The Starling attendants mumbled apologies as they delivered the dishes, though they were clearly only following orders. Blocks of ice were presented with live fish still swimming within them. Their eyes were wide as they tried to navigate their quickly melting confines.
Isla felt the heat of Oro’s anger—almost enough to set the fish free—though his expression remained impassive.
Before Oro could say a single word, the doors of the room burst open. Isla expected to see a dramatic entrance from Cleo.
A Moonling stood at the entrance ... but it was not the ruler. The man had long white hair that reached the middle of his torso, nearly the color of his skin, and a staff in his hand.
“Soren,” Oro said. “How nice of you to join us. I presume this is your idea of a joke?”
The Moonling man—Soren—pursed his lips. “More of a statement. Excuse my late appearance, but I find I have no appetite when I consider the state of the island, not so unlike the blocks of ice before you.”
That made them the fish.
“Cleo sent you in her stead?” Azul asked.
Soren nodded. He took the empty seat that had been set aside for the Moonling ruler.
Oro stood, and the entire center of the solid gold table dropped, forming a basin. The blocks of ice rushed to the middle, then melted, filling it. The fish swam in relieved circles.
With a look that was befitting of the cold king Isla had believed Oro to be before the Centennial, he looked at Soren and said, “Now that dinner has ended, why don’t you begin by telling us where Moonling stands?”
The Moonling’s longest finger slipped across the gem atop his staff. “You are of course aware that we have severed our bridge to the Mainland.”
“Another statement?” Oro asked.
The Moonling shrugged a shoulder. “As well as a protective measure. The curses kept people in check ... and we are aware we have enemies on the island.” His gaze landed on Isla.
She almost wanted to laugh.Thatwas the reason he was going with?Her?Moonling nobles had tried to assassinate her, and Cleo had, personally, nearly finished the job. She supposed it wasn’t a leap to think she, with her newfound power, would be set on revenge.
It was still a ridiculous excuse.
Oro gave him a look. “And your armada of ships?”
The Moonling noble took a leisurely sip of the flaming goblet that had now been set before him. “So we can sail to the Moonling newland, of course,” he said. “To unite our people once more.”
That might have been partially true, but it wasn’t the only reason, and Isla didn’t need Oro and his flair to know it. Cleo had begun building her army of ships during a time when faraway travel was a death sentence for Moonlings.
“Unite them how?” Azul asked. “To bring those on the Moonling newland to Lightlark? Or bring those on Lightlark to the newland?”
The room was silent, charged with energy. This was the big question, she knew, from speaking with Oro. After the curses were cast, most of the realms had fled Lightlark to create their own newlands, hundreds of miles away. Some people had remained on the island. Would the rulers decide to move back, now that the curses were over? Would they leave Lightlark for good?
“My ruler has not decided yet,” Soren said smoothly.
Oro turned away from the Moonling in dismissal to face Azul. “And the Skylings?”
Azul motioned toward his representatives. “These are elected officials Sturm”—the giant nodded, his eyes never leaving the opposite wall—“and Bronte.” The petite woman gave the ghost of a smile.
“Every Skyling will have a choice,” Bronte said. “To remain on the Skyling newland, or join us here on Lightlark.”
That seemed in keeping with their realm.
Sturm nodded. “We have already begun teaching the newer generations the art of our flight, though the journey to or from the newland is still too long. We have contraptions that offer flight by harnessing wind for that purpose.”
Oro nodded. He made to face his own representatives when Azul said, “There is something else. Rebellion on the island is brewing. Our spies have heard the whispers, carried along the wind.”
Oro frowned. “What do those whispers say?”
“The people are not pleased with how long it took to break the curses, or our decisions as rulers.”
