5. Chapter 5
Chapter 5
Humans and Immortals will forever distrust each other. Vyran claims that it is not only Nyth where this imbalance of power has created strife. Magic affects creatures strangely, and those touched by it are forever different in often unexpected ways. Those without magic will fear the power they do not possess. And they will find ways to protect themselves from it.
~Erevan Morvyn, A History of Magic and Dragons
Maeve
I spent almost a month in Draenyth, and I thought I understood what castles were like. The Keep of Flames was made of red marble flecked with gold. It was made with dragon magic, and that is a stark difference that I hadn’t considered.
A chill breeze blows through the cracks in the masonry as we appear in Darian and Lee’s chambers. The walls are made of blocks of gray limestone, as drab as any stone we stepped on during our walk from Blackgrove to Draenyth. Roughly cut and pieced together, the gaps are filled with a slightly lighter gray mortar that has been chipped in places.
On the walls hang beautiful paintings and tapestries. Where the Keep of Flame held very few pieces of décor, even a guest chamber like this is covered in showcases of wealth and status. The Keep of Flame was that showcase of status, and the humans have to decorate. It’s just another difference that separates humans from Immortals.
Darian and Lee stare at us as we rise from shadows, their mouths open wide. “Cole…” Lee begins.
I raise my hand, silencing her. “This is the Shade. That is how you will address him anywhere that humans can hear you, and if you think you aren’t being monitored, you’re being na?ve. Humans may not have as keen of hearing as us, but they’re excellent at engineering. They’d be fools not to spy on Immortals that are staying with them.”
Lee swallows her words, but Darian says, “Maeve, why is the Shade here? The humans are expecting Cole.”
I smile at him. “I expect they’ll be more impressed by the Shade. Now, when is the meeting?”
Darian shakes his head, a chuckle silenced behind a smile. “In a few hours. You’ll be meeting with King Aric directly. He tried to get us to meet with his small council, but I didn’t think that would work as well. We don’t need more voices chiming in based on fear.”
I glance at the Shade, who only shifts slightly under my questioning glance. The decision isn’t on his shoulders. No, I have to decide. I drew that line in the sand when I told them I’d kill them if they hid anything from me and when I told them we weren’t fighting Gethin, even though that’s what they thought was right.
From the moment I became Queen, I’ve made it clear that I decided everything. So far, that’s meant fighting, so it hasn’t been beyond me. This… might be. I’m twenty-three, and while I may have the power to crush every human in this castle, I don’t necessarily know if I can be the diplomat that we need.
I sigh. “The Shade understands the purpose of our visit. He will be negotiating, and unless something goes directly against my wishes, I would prefer that he speak for me in most instances.”
Darian arches an eyebrow in question, and Lee is even more bewildered. I can’t keep holding this distance between us. “I’m twenty-three,” I say. “I may be capable of fighting, but…”
“I understand,” the Shade says. His voice rumbles, and it holds just as much authority as it always did. “I will speak for you. You are the Queen of Nyth, Lady. Human kings don’t have the authority to disagree with you.”
I nod to him and Lee shrugs. It doesn’t matter if I wear the Painted Crown. Darian and Lee would follow Cole anywhere, so when the Shade tells them to let it go, they don’t argue. They’ll always be loyal to him first, regardless of who wears a crown.
“Take us to the king,” the Shade says.
Just like in Aerwyn, Darian and Lee do as he says without question, and surprisingly, the Shade doesn’t glance at me as the twins lead us out of the room. It only serves to further cement the feeling that the Shade and Cole are two separate entities.
I can feel some of the weight that’s been pressing so hard against me shift. I trusted the Shade before. Maybe I don’t have to make every single decision. Maybe I could let him carry some of the burden…
The corridors of the castle of Stormhaven are nothing like the Keep of Flames. Just like the twins’ chambers are decorated with exquisite and expensive tapestries and paintings, the halls feel like they’ve been filled as much as possible, even if it’s just to cover the dreary gray of the stone.
Our feet are silenced by richly dyed wool rugs. A myriad of paintings of men and landscapes hang from the walls. Stained glass windows on all the external walls let in light, but well-used sconces hang unlit at regular intervals. The scent of burned tallow candles fills the stale air that lingers in every hallway.
Underneath the tallow is a uniquely human scent, that of fear and sweat. Immortals are slow and constantly looking to improve their position, but they don’t fear like humans do. They don’t spend their days toiling. An Immortal has all the time in the world, but a human knows her days will end far sooner than she’d like, and there’s a desperation to her time.
The goddess of death is never far from a human’s mind, while Immortals are always surprised when Lysara comes for them.
“I think you’ll like King Aric,” Darian says. Just like on our trek from Aerwyn to Draenyth, he fills the silence with words. “He’s very direct. Not exactly a politician like his father was. Though, he is a little nervous around Immortals, but that’s to be expected.”
Lee chimes in, “He hides it well enough. I’m sure that there aren’t many instances where he’s come into contact with Immortals that don’t involve him protecting his borders from Lesser Fae.”
The Shade and I stay quiet, letting the twins talk. It’s reassuring, actually. It reminds me of simpler times. Like the night at the Firelight Café or the weeks of walking.
They stop outside a thick wooden door that doesn’t look all that different from the previous ones other than its size. They glance at me, and I give them a nod.
I know that this shouldn’t matter after everything that’s happened, but I’ve heard about King Aric for years. The most famous person in my old world. Uncle Trevor tried gaining access to his court for years. He’d been willing to beg, borrow, or steal to be invited into the court of Stormhaven. He never accomplished it.
Now I’m having a private audience with King Aric, and he’s going to do me a favor whether he wants to or not.
I may wear the Painted Crown and have the most magical power in the world, but I’m still surprisingly nervous. It only makes me more thankful that the Shade is going to do the talking.
Lee opens the door, and we walk into the throne room of King Aric Aldridge.
Just like the rest of the castle, the gray limestone is decorated in gold and silk and artistry. The king sits at a table rather than the throne behind him. He sips wine from a golden goblet all alone while ten knights in steel plate armor stand at the walls.
I don’t blame him for having bodyguards. We’re the most dangerous things that have ever walked through his court’s doors, and to be completely honest, those men won’t do a thing to stop us from doing whatever we want. I’m sure they reassure him, though.
“King Aric,” Darian says, “let me introduce Queen Maeve of the House of Earth and ruler of all of Nyth. And the Shade, whom I’m sure you have heard stories of.”
Aric glances at me, but as predicted, his eyes linger on the Shade. He’s a creature of legend, even for humans. I just look like a woman, someone easily dismissed.
“Welcome to Stormhaven,” he says without standing up. “Wine?” There’s a smile on his face, almost like he’s excited to not be the most important person in the room. I had expected an old man with nothing but seriousness in him, but King Aric looks to be in his early forties. His gray eyes still have plenty of life and laughter in them.
He’s handsome for a human. His sandy blonde hair is a little wild, and a small scar crosses his bearded cheek, long healed up. He raises his cup and nods to the pitcher of wine next to him. It’s not formal, but then again, when Kings and Queens talk, is there a reason for formality?
We sit down at the table, and Darian pours wine for the four of us. King Aric continues to glance from his wineglass to the Shade, a look of disbelief on his face. I take a sip from the golden goblet, the wine a bitter taste compared to the varieties I had in Draenyth.
The Shade doesn’t touch his, and Darian and Lee sip theirs, all our eyes on King Aric. “So, what do you want?” he finally asks. “You certainly didn’t come here to discuss interracial relations. The Fae worry about the Fae’s problems, and humans take care of human problems. We leave each other alone, and neither of us encroach on the other’s territory. That is what the treaty states, and my people certainly haven’t moved beyond our borders.”
The Shade answers, “I’m sure you’ve heard about the Immortals that have been ransacking villages on the edges of the human territories.”
King Aric nods. “I would hope that isn’t your doing.”
“It is not,” the Shade continues. “They’ll slowly move closer to the human cities as they expand their search. I’m sure you know that no human city will survive an attack by Immortals, and we’re here to offer our protection.”
Aric chuckles, a grin spreading over his face. “Your protection? The four of you against roving bands of High Fae sent from Draenyth? Two High Fae and two females? Somehow, I think you’re overestimating your abilities.”
He pauses, waiting for a response, but the Shade gives him none. “Fine,” Aric says. “Why me? Why Stormhaven? There are other cities that will be affected, other kingdoms that have been hit harder. Some are even closer to Draenyth.”
The Shade doesn’t hesitate with his answer. “Queen Maeve is originally from Blackgrove, which is a part of your territory. It’s… familiar. Prior to becoming Queen of Nyth, she was a Wyrdling, and she would prefer to work with someone she’s at least heard of.” This is something he’s far more proficient at than I’d expected. And… though I am focused on the discussion, hearing his voice and watching him control the situation has tiny wisps of shadow leaking from my fingertips.
Aric’s gaze moves to me, to the Painted Crown that shimmers in the light. Golds and browns dance across my forehead, a magical marvel that I still struggle to believe is real. He stares at me for a few moments, and I don’t turn away.
“You were a Wyrdling?” He stifles a laugh. “What, exactly, are you Queen of if not Draenyth? How can you wear a crown, yet you offer me protection from the capital of the Fae rather than simply telling these raiding parties to stop? You may claim to be a queen, but in my mind, my wife’s poodle has more claim to that title. At least she occasionally sits on a throne.”
The Shade begins to speak, but I know I have to step in here. “I am Queen of Nyth, King Aric. I wear the Painted Crown, but Draenyth was overtaken by the House of Steel before I understood my powers. Now, our numbers are too small to take back Draenyth safely.”
The Shade follows up reassuringly. “But we would have no trouble with any of the groups of Immortals that have been raiding. There is an enormous difference between protecting Stormhaven and taking Draenyth.”
King Aric is quiet as he looks between the two of us, his gaze never going to Darian or Lee. Maybe he does understand the difference between us. He picks up his goblet and takes a sip. “So you’re looking for refuge,” he finally says. “You’re who these bands of High Fae are seeking, and you think that by offering me your protection , you’ll have a place to stay.”
“No,” the Shade says. “We have no desire to stay in Stormhaven, nor do we have any desire to draw the House of Steel to your doorstep. But we need a favor. I need a place to put a dangerous captive where no one will interact with him. In return, I will be but a simple prayer away from you, and I am sure that we will be capable of fending off whatever Fae are terrorizing you.”
I glance at the Shade. The way he sits so still is unnerving to anyone, but to a human, he looks completely unnatural. No one can remain so still. That scent of salt and cedar is so strong that even a human can smell it.
And it tugs at something inside me. Memories. Old emotions that the Queen of Earth shouldn’t have.
Bringing the Shade rather than Cole was the right decision. He commands respect in a way that no Fae ever will. The Fae are dangerous. The Shade is legendary.
“I assume your captive is a Fae? We don’t have the guards to deal with that. We have nothing to deal with that, honestly.”
“No, you don’t. But we will help you alter a cell so that it will hold our prisoner. All we need is a bit of space and some time from your blacksmiths.”
Aric had smiled when we’d arrived, and now that smile is gone, but the shrewdness in his eyes has only grown, so when he finishes his goblet of wine, I’m not surprised that he shakes his head.
“The best way for me to protect my city and country is by staying far from any Fae conflicts. You say you can protect us from the ones who are searching for you, but I have no proof of that. Yes, we’ve all heard the legends about you, Shade, but how much of that is legend, and how much of that is truth? You can’t take your throne back, Queen Maeve, but you say you can protect mine? Somehow, I doubt that.”
He stands up as if he were going to dismiss us. “No, the best choice for my people is to stay far away from your problems. We’re not Fae, so we will hold to our centuries old agreement. The Fae deal with the Fae’s issues, and they leave humans out of their conflicts.”
The Shade glances at me. He doesn’t have any other ways to convince King Aric. He could make a showing of power, but shadows aren’t what King Aric wants to see. Shadows aren’t power in a world where castles and steel win wars.
“I am not Queen of Draenyth, Lord Aric.” I stand up, my armor made of interlocking stone plates moving so silently it’s like I’m wearing cloth. “I am Queen of Nyth . All of it, including Stormhaven. I wear the Painted Crown, which gives me authority over everyone and everything in this world, you included.”
I slowly raise my hand, and magic flows through me in waves. King Aric looks at me with confusion on his face, and without trying, I can sense the feelings going through his mind. Surprise. Disbelief that I would challenge his right to rule. Wonder and curiosity about what I’m doing.
I smile at him as the power building inside me rises to a crescendo. “You said you didn’t believe that we could protect you. We can. I simply refuse to destroy Draenyth to regain my Throne.”
Reaching down to the base of the mountain that Stormhaven sits against, I feel for the limestone that the castle and its walls were built of, and I rip it from the ground. Flowing like water from a spring, the stone becomes liquid, filling in the gaps in the passage I’ve built for it. Just like the dragons did in Draenyth, I pull the limestone up, and the world becomes very quiet. Minutes pass, and no one makes a sound in the room as something changes that no one other than me can describe exactly.
The sound of footsteps echoing in the halls outside the throne room quiets. The little whistles of air flowing through cracked mortar disappear. Silence is what I bring, and even the Shade looks at me in confusion.
The outpouring of power drains me almost as much as fighting the Nothing did after three months. I lean forward, my breathing hard as my muscles tighten to hold me upright. For the first time, I used the full power of the Painted Crown.
Then the door bursts open, and a human in steel armor shouts, “King Aric, something’s happened to the castle!”
Of course, something happened to the castle.
“Majesty, the walls are… different. They’re… I don’t know how to explain it. Please, come look.”
In King Aric’s throne room, there are no exposed walls. They’re all covered in expensive silks here. King Aric couldn’t see what I’ve done. But his guards did.
Aric frowns at me and stands up. The guard is frantic, but it doesn’t seem to bother Aric at all. He’s just confused and curious.
But the Shade, Darian, and Lee all look at me with shock in their eyes. The House of Earth has always been secretive about its powers, and I don’t think any of them understand what someone wearing the Painted Crown can do.
King Aric gets to the door and looks into the hallway for a moment. He pauses and I can feel his confusion. Disbelief fills him as he walks to the wall across from the doorway. He runs his fingertips over the limestone, and everyone watches him.
“What did you do?” Darian breathes.
I don’t answer. King Aric turns around and walks back into the throne room, but he doesn’t go back to his seat. “How much of the castle did you do that to?” he asks, his voice quivering.
“All of it. From the prison cells built directly into the mountain to the top floors, every wall has been covered in solid stone. Your cracking mortar is unnecessary now. I have reinforced all the walls of your castle with an inch of solid stone.”
He gapes at me, but so do the Immortals in the room. “King Aric, I could raze Draenyth to the ground if I wanted, but that is the last thing I want to do. I’m here to fix things, not make them worse. For now, what I need is a prison cell covered in steel. Darian will help your blacksmiths to understand what I need, but this is not a request. I would like to maintain a civil relationship, but I am your Queen, and this is a command.”
He pauses and glances at the dozen armored men who have their hands on their weapons. I just showed him what I could do without breaking a sweat. Me, the woman he just dismissed. Not the two High Fae and the legendary Shade standing next to me. Aric doesn’t have any idea what the four of us could do all together, and the realization of that is hitting him hard.
“Come sit back down,” I say. “You want our protection, King Aric. We won’t draw any extra attention to Stormhaven, and to be totally honest, you don’t have a lot of choices. Let us use your prison cell, and we’ll stay out of your way otherwise. Just like you want. If you try to do something stupid, all that will happen is people will die. Your people. Not mine. Do you understand?”
Aric had looked almost amused when we’d first appeared in his throne room. None of that amusement is there now. Only the shrewdness in his eyes and a sharp smile across his lips. It’s just as much a court smile as any that Cole used.
He’s furious under it. No one that’s used to being the most powerful person in the room enjoys being shown that they’re far weaker than they thought they were. He wants to argue and try to force me to back down. Not because he’s worried about his city or his people. No, he is a man, and I am a woman, and I am putting him in his place, and that grates on his nerves more than anything else.
“Sit down, King Aric,” I say again. “Or I will be more forceful.” There is nothing but peace inside me, but peace comes from control, and I am in complete control of this situation.
Aric is a smart man, and while he may be furious, he knows he has no recourse here. He could kick his feet and throw a tantrum like a child, but he simply doesn’t have the power to refuse me. So, he accepts it and walks back to his seat at the table. When he gets here, he pours himself another full goblet of wine and says, “If that’s how it’s going to be, then when should I expect you to demand my crown?”
I shake my head. “I don’t want your crown, Aric. All I need is a single prison cell. That’s it. You may covet your throne, but I don’t even want mine . I’m just the only one who can sit in it, so I don’t have the option of giving it up. You don’t need to worry about me taking your crown or land or anything else. And you’ll get to see what it’s like dealing with the Fae. A bit of experience with us certainly won’t hurt your ability to rule. I remember being human, more or less, and the most valuable thing I ever experienced was having someone to ask questions of—someone that wouldn’t lie or hide things from me. I’ll add that to our bargain freely. If you have questions about anything, I’ll be more than happy to explain in simple and straightforward terms for you. Protection and knowledge in exchange for a seven-by-seven steel box. It sounds like the deal of a lifetime to me.”
Aric sighs and drinks his wine. “Fine. You win. You may be able to force me to do this, but I don’t think you want me as an enemy, so it might behoove you to discuss things with me instead of demanding. There’s a reason that humans and the Fae have an agreement to leave each other in peace. You may be stronger than us, but we aren’t without our own skills and strengths.”
I nod to him. “We don’t intend to push you around King Aric. It’s a small thing that we need. Truly. And we’re paying with much more value than what it’s worth. I would just prefer to work with you than other human kings because I’ve heard good things about your rule.”
He sighs. “Then it’s settled. We’ll work together in these strange times. Now you just have to convince my small council that you’re not here to eat us all.”