The Forest King’s Daughter

28

Persuasion is a subtler kind of warfare.

Every word should be planned as carefully as an attack.

—G AXIX, D RACU PHILOSOPHER

W HEN C ASSIA RETURNED TO Z ERU, SHE FOUND HIM pacing grooves into the forest floor. As she landed, he grabbed her around the waist and looked her over as if there might be a knife lodged somewhere in her person. His eyebrows lifted as he took in her appearance, but his only remark was, “You were gone too long.”

She frowned at his chiding tone. “I was as quick as I could be. And I’m fine, thanks for asking.”

His eyes met hers with a wry look. “If I hadn’t thought you were fine, I’d have come for you, archers or no. I could feel your tension through the amulet, but no great fear. I still worried, though.”

“Then it doesn’t work that well because I was terrified.”

He pulled her close, leaning in so their foreheads touched. “Did you know,” he said slowly, as if relishing the words, “that you have Dracu horns?” As her heart thudded in response, he took a strand of her hair and slid his fingers along it, drawing back to stare at the top of her head with a heavy-lidded look. “I gather this is your idea to move through the Cryptlands incognito.”

“Yes.” She reached up to check that the horns were in place. When Zeru lifted his hand, she grabbed it to stop him, smiling as his fingers curled possessively around hers. “Don’t touch. They’re attached with hair pins and twine. Also, my wings are covered in some substance that I hope is made from crushed herbs.” In the end, green-dusted hair and wings, bone jewelry, and some dark powder around her eyes and under her cheekbones to accentuate them were enough to give her the appearance of an Azpian. For ease of movement, she’d added leggings underneath Thea’s form-fitting black dress. Enora had also given her a pair of long black gloves to cover the Solis Gemma. Rozie hadn’t figured out how to attach the eyeballs, so she’d settled for making a necklace out of animal bones and twine. All in all, it was a look.

Zeru’s hand moved to her chin, turning her face back and forth, his gaze heating. “Were you going for winged Dracu? I can’t say I’ve ever seen one. Aside from myself, of course.”

A shiver ran through her at the appreciation in his eyes. “I’m going for ‘Winged Azpian of Unknown Variety.’ My sisters can’t decide if I look awful or amazing.”

“Amazing.” His lips curved up, his darkened eyes taking on the alert calm she associated with the predatory side of him. “No question.”

She lifted a brow as she surveyed his tidied clothing fitting snugly on his lean, strong frame and his dark, finger-combed hair. “You’ve cleaned yourself up, too.”

He made a dismissive motion. “As much as I could.”

She looked up at him, not hiding her own appreciation. “I like it.”

As she stepped close, his lips settled over hers. Heat rushed through her veins, distracting her from everything else. Risking her disguise, she put her arms around him and clutched him.

He exhaled and shook his head as if clearing it, then slid his hands to her waist. “Dare I ask how it went with your father?”

“Better than I could have hoped.” Now that she’d had some time to calm her nerves, her relief was knee-weakening. “My father agreed to consider the bargain if the queen vows not to harm any of his subjects. The deal would last until sunrise tomorrow.”

He gave her an incredulous look, shaking his head in admiration. “That’s—I’m amazed. Well done. As much as I believe in you, I doubted it was possible to get his agreement. No one recognized you?”

“My sisters did. But Enora threatened messy vengeance on the guards if they told my father. And he… didn’t know me.” Why did it still hurt to say that? She wished feelings could be turned off like a spigot on a barrel of fruit wine.

Zeru’s expression tightened. “He never did.”

She nodded, feeling a bit of weight lift at his words. She felt seen by him. “We’d better go. We still have to make our way through the Cryptlands to your queen.”

“Getting to her isn’t the problem.” He stared hard at her, as if he wanted to ask her to reconsider. “She won’t be easy to convince.”

“Then you’d better be persuasive.”

They entered the Cryptlands through the same hill where Cassia had before. As she stepped into the dark, her whole body prickled with fear, and suddenly, she couldn’t move. For a second, even Zeru’s hands on her shoulders made her want to run.

But then he said her name, and her eyes snapped to his as she fought her way out of the images of danger crashing through her mind. She had no reason to think that Selkolla would know she was near. Or to suppose that the Seer still had any power over her. But she didn’t want to test that unknown.

“It never gets easier,” she admitted. “Entering the Cryptlands. I fear I’m not meant to be an Azpian.” She smiled shakily, gesturing down at herself.

“You don’t have to come with me,” Zeru said, worry shadowing his eyes. “It’s not too late to change your mind.”

Cassia took a breath and straightened her shoulders. “I’m going. If you can’t get the queen to agree, then I have something to offer her.”

His lips tightened. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

“Yes.”

He gave her fake horns a doubtful look. “What if your disguise isn’t enough?”

“You said I look amazing,” she reminded him pertly.

He exhaled sharply, giving her another once-over. “I’ll do most of the talking. Don’t speak unless she asks you a direct question. I don’t want more scrutiny on you than necessary.”

She rolled her eyes, using her best Zeru voice to say, “Give me some credit, Dracu.”

His lips pressed together as if he were fighting a smile, and his eyes filled with lazy warning. “A fair imitation of me, I’ll admit.”

Smiling, he leaned forward, brushing her forehead with his lips. “Ready to go on?”

“Tell me what to expect.”

“The tunnels should be relatively empty until we near the queen’s apartments. Follow my lead. We shouldn’t have any trouble getting in to see her. She might be… a little unhappy with me.”

“Oh, good, something else to worry about,” Cassia said dryly. “Why?”

“I… haven’t reported to her directly since I left for Welkincaster, though I’ve sent messages. She takes offense at these things. I’ll handle it. It’ll be fine.”

She hoped he was right.

The path was as quiet as he’d predicted, with only a few imps and pit sprites floating past. As they rounded a corner, a drake stood in their path, its forked tongue flicking in and out as it watched them with reflective eyes. Cassia drew back sharply, but Zeru stepped up to the creature.

“Move your scales,” he said in a tone mixing threat with boredom, “or I’ll use them to make myself a new pair of boots.”

The creature scuttled off with a hiss.

As they went on, the tunnels grew brighter, with lanterns illuminating colorful wall tiles. Guards were stationed at intervals. Her pulse pounded in her throat as their eyes followed her, the oils and powders inadequate protection against their probing stares. But soon she and Zeru reached a large set of elaborately carved doors. The queen’s chambers.

Zeru nodded to the guards as if he knew them. “This is my new friend,” he said. “The queen will want to meet her.”

To her surprise, they were shown in without further questions.

Cassia’s stomach clenched, her palms turning damp as she stepped into the Dracu queen’s inner sanctum. It was a long, high-ceilinged chamber with white columns, a pale stone floor touched with a gold-leaf pattern of vines spiked with clawlike thorns, and twin tapestries behind a malachite throne.

The queen was even more intimidating than Cassia remembered. Of modest height but stately, her eyes were as green as the bog sprite chandeliers that hung from the shadowy ceiling. Councillors and waiting women flanked her on both sides, some of them standing while others sat on benches upholstered in shades of violet and clover. Imps floated above their heads, their bulbous eyes keeping watch on everyone below. Cassia tried to calm her breathing in the presence of so many enemies. She could only hope her disguise was convincing enough to get her through the next few minutes.

“My queen,” Zeru said, stepping forward with a low bow. “Forgive me for not coming sooner.”

“My errant lieutenant,” the queen said with languidly raised brows, as if she’d just noticed him. “Are you still alive?”

Zeru bent his head to hide a smile, saying in an undertone pitched to be heard, “I suppose I deserved that.”

“What finally brings you back, Zeru?” she asked coolly. “I hope you have a good reason for this intrusion.”

Cassia hid her surprise, both at the queen’s familiarity and Zeru’s title of lieutenant. He had said his family lost everything when he’d given her the ring. But she hadn’t known Zeru had worked his way back up into the queen’s favor.

“I’m sorry you see my presence as an intrusion, my queen,” he said with an incline of his head. “I hope to make amends. This is my new acquaintance. I’ve brought her here because she has important information to share. It might be better if we had… a quieter audience?”

This practiced grace was yet another side to him. Court Zeru, Cassia decided. As polished as the queen’s crown.

“I heard of your return, yet you have not reported in.” The queen’s displeasure seemed to cause a ripple of tension to flow through the court. “After weeks away when I had no word from you.” Her voice held the steam of contempt, like cold water poured over hot stones. “Did you think I would forgive your derelictions so easily?”

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty,” he said with smoothly delivered contrition, “it pains me that you consider me derelict in my duty. I traveled based on Selkolla’s advice, my single aim to retrieve the Dracustone for you.”

Cassia hadn’t heard the Solis Gemma referred to by that name in a long time. It reminded her that the queen had never stopped thinking of the ring as her rightful possession. And here it was in her throne room only feet away from her and with only a layer of fabric concealing it.

The queen’s demeanor changed to one of keen interest at the mention of the ring. “Did you retrieve it?”

Zeru cleared his throat. “I have always been grateful that you gave me a chance to get it back, and to serve you when you could have condemned me.”

One of the courtiers laughed. “Clearly, he didn’t succeed. Empty promises are Zeru’s specialty.”

The queen’s lips curved up, a contrast to the annoyance in her eyes. “Lieutenant, explain this to me. Your reputation and the honor of your family lay in that task, and yet you failed.” A furrow appeared between her brows. “How can I trust you with anything if you fail me at the most crucial of times?”

“We can’t doubt he tried,” the same sneering adviser said. “He has the stink of forest folk all over him.” A few chuckles rewarded his remark. “How far did you go in trying to get close to the Sylvan king’s daughter?”

Cassia looked at the courtier, wishing she could use a blast of the ring specifically on him. It seemed Zeru had enemies in the court. It also seemed he had had to deal with heckling and abuse over his childhood mistake. Perhaps he was used to it. But she could feel her own anger rising.

“My queen,” Zeru said, ignoring the interruption, “there’s a greater threat to our people than the loss of the Dracustone. As I’m sure your scouts have reported, Selkolla’s army numbers in the thousands.”

She waved a languid hand. “Let her slaughter the Sylvans. The better for us.”

As Cassia stiffened, Zeru gave her a quick warning look before turning his attention back to the queen. “The scuccas repair themselves even as they fall.” He paused. “If such an army were turned against us, how would we fare?”

The queen shifted on the shining throne. “She cannot harm us. We made a pact in blood.” She spoke as if her own words comforted her.

He lowered his voice. “My queen, Selkolla is mentioned in the ancient histories. Stripped of her powers long ago, she sought refuge here at her weakest. What if she has been rebuilding her strength? What if she has searched all this time for a way around that pact?”

“Then we have other Seers to protect us,” the adviser said with scathing dismissiveness. “But we won’t need them. Selkolla’s power is behind the Dracu queen. It’s your allegiance I have reason to question, Lieutenant.”

Zeru didn’t shift his attention from the throne. “Ask Guzzo here how he plans to defeat an army that heals itself. I respectfully request again, my liege. Could we speak in private?”

The queen tapped her chin with a long finger, her nail filed to a sharp point. She nodded her chin toward Cassia. “What is she, Zeru? Where did you find her?”

He took Cassia’s hand and made a show of looking her over proudly. “She came from one of the lower realms. Isn’t she lovely?”

The queen made a circular motion with her hand. Zeru guided Cassia in a slow twirl.

“Intriguing,” the queen said. “She looks like one of us but the wings… Dracu and imp, perhaps? I suppose anything can happen in the lower realms.” The courtiers laughed, and the queen’s expression became one of amused benevolence. “I could groom her to be one of my waiting women, if you want to keep her close. I’d lend her to you when you need her for… other purposes.”

Cassia sucked in a breath, her eyes shifting to Zeru. He had gone straight-backed, his face stony. “That is more than generous,” he said with an incline of his head. “But she’s here because she brought us valuable information. I promised to escort her home once that’s delivered.”

The queen pouted. “A pity. She would be an interesting addition to my retinue.” After a moment, she made a slight inclination of her head. “Very well, you may have your private audience. Everyone, out. Except for my guard.”

“But, my queen,” said the adviser in strident protest.

“You as well, Guzzo,” she said. As the courtier finally moved to the door with a poisonous look at Zeru, the queen added under her breath, “Especially you.”

When the door had closed behind all but her two guards, Zeru said, “Guzzo continues to be himself.”

“I can’t stop him, short of cutting out his tongue,” the queen said. “And his family is powerful enough that I can’t dismiss him. I expect he’ll try to put a knife in me someday, but I have my own plans for him.”

Cassia found her brows rising toward her hairline. No one would speak like this in the Sylvan court. No one would dare.

But Zeru was smiling as if he exchanged quips with the queen all the time. “I anticipate that day with pleasure. But we have no time to waste. My queen, you won’t like what I have to say, but it must be said. The word in the lower realms is that Selkolla plans to move on us next.”

Outrage suffused the queen’s face. “Since when have the lower realms taken any interest in the politics above them?”

“Selkolla has dabbled there, collecting ingredients for her scuccas. Apparently, they see her for the threat she is. If the Cryptlands fall, the lower realms are next.” He nodded to Cassia. “This girl came to me with a key piece of information about the scuccas.”

“What’s your name, girl?” the queen asked, her gaze curious. “And for that matter, what are you?”

“Her name is Arozenna,” Zeru said, saving her from having to lie. They’d decided on an altered version of Rozie’s full name—Rozenna. Her sister had thought it fit her appearance.

“As for what I am,” Cassia said, shifting so her wings were more visible, “your guess is as good as mine.” Which was true, as she had no idea what to call herself anymore. She blinked her soot-darkened lashes, playing her role of ingenue straight from some nameless pit.

Avarice lit the queen’s eyes. “I can see you are unique. Would you like to stay here to work in my service? It’s a rare opportunity. Most Dracu girls would kill for it. And many have.”

Cassia swallowed. “I thank you, Your Majesty.” She saw Zeru tense beside her, but paused as if considering the offer before she shook her head. “But I must decline. I have promises to others that must be kept.”

“No sensible creature would break a vow,” the queen said with a nod of understanding. “What is your information, Arozenna? If indeed you have anything useful to share.”

Pulling in a fortifying breath, she replied, “Selkolla has given me reason to believe that the scuccas have at least one vulnerability: your Dracustone ring.”

Tension hummed through the air, invisible threads pulling tight. “My ring.” The queen’s fingers drummed on the arm of the throne, her eyes moving to Zeru. “Is this meant as some sort of jest?”

“Not at all,” he assured her. “This is vital information. If the ring is our sole weapon against the scuccas, and we don’t have that weapon, our best hope lies in killing Selkolla before she moves against us.”

The queen leaned forward. “You dare to tell me that my ring is vital in my fight against a traitor in my midst, and yet you were the one tasked with retrieving it. And failed.” Her voice grew louder. “I could take your head right now, Zeru. Explain to me why I shouldn’t.”

Cassia tensed, ready to reveal her own identity before she’d watch Zeru executed. But he made a subtle gesture to hold her fire. “Because I have a plan. The only plan that will end with you remaining on that throne.”

“You dare—”

“I would dare anything out of love for you and my people,” Zeru said, his words ringing with truth. “Those weeks when I was gone, I spent reading ancient texts in a place beyond imagination, and though I couldn’t retrieve the ring, I gained insight. If we don’t defeat Selkolla now, she will be a claw in your back for as long as you live.” He paused, tensing visibly as he added, “I’ve looked at this from every possible angle and come to one conclusion: We need to make a temporary alliance with the Sylvans. And before you decide, my queen, ask yourself if I have ever been wrong.”

She leaned forward, her eyes burning with anger. “You gave away my ring.”

His head bent. “Aside from that foolish childhood mistake.”

The queen regarded him with seething disbelief. “Reports tell me you spent weeks alone with the Sylvan king’s daughter and you did not get my ring. Now you come to me saying we must ally with them?” She gave him a knowing, narrow-eyed perusal. “Maybe Guzzo is right about you.”

“My loyalty is to you,” Zeru said.

“Perhaps,” she mused. “And perhaps the Sylvan king’s daughter has persuaded you that an alliance with them is the only option. You might even believe it. But that doesn’t mean she is without guile. Sylvan honesty is legendary, but they find ways around the truth. In their own way, they can be as cunning as we are.”

Zeru nodded, ignoring Cassia’s irritated look. “I know. It’s poison on my tongue to even suggest that we ally with the Sylvan king. But if you let me explain the proposal, I think you’ll find it to your liking. It involves the Sylvans…” He paused dramatically, his voice carrying a layer of mischief as he said, “… swearing allegiance to you.”

Though her lips curved up, suspicion darkened her eyes. “Why would the Sylvans agree to such a thing?”

“I helped them believe it was their idea,” he said, grinning fully. “Did you really think I would form a connection to the Sylvan king’s daughter without using it to our advantage?”

The queen blinked, her brows lifting. “I’m listening.”

By the time Zeru was finished, the queen’s white teeth were bared, her green eyes aglow. “So, the Sylvan king begs my protection. He knows he will be slaughtered without my help.” She chuckled to herself, resting her chin on her hand as if savoring the thought.

“Yes,” Zeru said. “They have no hope without us.”

“Do you swear,” she asked, her expression sobering, “that you bring me this proposal in good faith?”

Zeru didn’t hesitate. “On my loyal heart. This is the only way I see for us to win against Selkolla and keep the Dracu safe. I swear it.”

Cassia watched the queen carefully. The stories said she could be mercurial, her judgments harsh and brutal, but she was obviously pragmatic if she’d ruled for so long. This offer brought her a face-saving reason to ally with the Sylvans, with her in a position of power.

“Tell me this, girl,” the queen said, taking Cassia by surprise when she’d thought the queen had all but forgotten her presence. “Do you hate the Sylvans as much as we do?”

Clasping her hands together, Cassia looked up with a mischievous expression. “I don’t think anyone hates them as much as you do.”

The second’s pause as the queen considered that answer felt like a long, dark night.

Finally, the Dracu queen laughed, lifting a hand to wave to one of the guards. “Assemble my generals. We go to Scarhamm.”