Chapter 31
It was late in the evening when a footman came to Ro’s quarters, bringing the news that Dove and her family were completely moved over from the mortal world. She thanked him and sent him on his way.
“That’s one thing I can cross off my To Do list,” Ro said as she turned back to the sitting room.
Gabriel looked up from the letter he’d been reading. Posey, who was seated on one of the couches with Aunt Vi, yawned, which made Uldamar yawn, too.
Ro blinked. She was getting sleepy herself. Benny had long since gone to bed. Lucky cat. “Maybe we should call it a night.”
“We’re nearly finished,” Gabriel said.
Posey nodded. “I don’t mind if you want to keep working. I know this is important.”
“I’m only proofreading,” Aunt Vi said. “That’s not exactly hard work. I can stay.”
“I feel the same,” Uldamar added. “I am at your disposal for as long as you wish.”
“A few more minutes then.” Ro took her seat and picked up her cup. Her tea had gone cold and she’d already eaten more cookies than she should have. She frowned into her cup.
“Is there a problem, your highness?” Uldamar asked.
“No. Just that my tea’s cold.”
He made a small loop in the air with his fingers. “Try it now.”
She took a sip and smiled at the warmth. “Thank you, that’s perfect.” She settled back in her chair. “All right, I need to hear what we have so far from the top.”
“Which letter?” Posey asked. “The one to Beatryce or the one to the trolls?”
“Let’s start with the one to Beatryce.”
Posey shuffled the papers on her traveling desk and began to read. “Queen Beatryce Blackbryar,
“I received your letter with careful consideration and no small measure of hope. The weariness you express is one I feel as well. Too much blood has already been spilled between our kingdoms, and I long for a future where our children do not inherit this endless cycle of hatred and loss.”
“Wait,” Ro said. “Add ‘and unnecessary’ after endless.”
Posey made a note, then started reading again.
“While I appreciate your willingness to meet on neutral ground, I must decline. Recent events have taught me that even the most well-intentioned offers can conceal unseen dangers. As queen, my first duty is the safety of myself and my son. I will not place myself in a position where I might be separated from those who protect me.”
Gabriel and Aunt Vi both nodded in agreement.
Posey continued. “Because of that, I extend an invitation to you. Come to Summerton. You may bring a small, trusted escort, which is no more than what I myself would bring. I give you my solemn word of safe passage both to and from my court. We may speak privately in the gardens of Castle Clarion, or in any other setting within my kingdom that you find agreeable. Here, we may speak honestly as women who know the weight of responsibility.”
Uldamar closed his eyes slightly, fingers interlaced over his torso.
“If peace is truly your desire, then let us begin where I can guarantee the safety of all involved. I await your answer with guarded hope. For the sake of our people and the possibility of a better future, Queen Sparrow Meadowcroft.”
“Brilliant,” Gabriel said.
“Yes,” Violet said. “Very good.”
Ro nodded. “Approved, Posey.”
Posey was writing away. “I’ll have the revised draft done shortly.”
“It’s a good letter,” Uldamar said. “If she’s serious, she will come here. If she’s not, which I believe—much like Lord Nightborne—to be the case, she will refuse. It’s a worthy test of her true intentions.”
Violet helped herself to a cookie.
“Then I’ll sign it and we can get it sent.” Ro reached for another searzin biscuit. If Aunt Vi was having another one, so was she. “Now the letter to the trolls, as soon as Posey’s done with that one.”
A few minutes later, Posey handed the first letter off to Violet for proofing, then picked up the second letter and read it out loud.
“To the Honorable King Drath, ruler of Stoneholde. I am Sparrow Meadowcroft, Queen of the Radiant Fae and ruler of Summerton. Although we have never met, I greet you with respect for the power and honor of your people.”
Gabriel lifted his hand. “We should change power to strength.”
“I’m fine with that,” Ro said. “Posey, make a note of that.”
Posey scribbled in the margin before going on.
“By now you have likely heard that Queen Anyka of Malveaux lies gravely wounded, injured by a blade thrown by her own daughter. What you may not know is that she has twice attempted to have me killed. Once by arrow in the gardens of Willow Hall, and again through treachery and dark magic on the island of Tenebrae. She speaks of peace while doing everything in her power to foment war, knowing she has legions of disposable troll warriors to do her bidding. Warriors I believe she values far less than she values the Radiant crown, something she is desperate to acquire.”
Posey cleared her throat. “I offer you something better than empty promises and endless war. The Radiant realm is rich in fertile fields, ancient forests, and mineral deposits. I propose a formal trade agreement between our peoples to include regular shipments of wheat, oats, root vegetables, and fruits from our valleys. We will also provide seasoned lumber from our western forests for your forges and halls. Most importantly, we can offer large quantities of high-quality hay, sweet, nourishing, and plentiful, for your warhorses, which I know to be the pride of your kingdom.”
Gabriel nodded.
“In return, we ask only that you withhold your swords from Anyka’s war against us.
I’m not asking you to fight at our side — simply that you refuse to fight at hers.
Should you choose this path, the Radiant throne will remember your wisdom and restraint.
I will also make our allies, the wyvern and neph, aware of your decision. ”
“Good,” Uldamar said softly.
“I believe your people deserve more than to be used as weapons for a foreign queen who may discard you the moment you are no longer convenient. Let us speak of trade and mutual respect instead of bloodshed. I await your answer with hope that honor and practicality may yet prevail. With respect and good faith, Queen Sparrow Meadowcroft of the Radiant Fae. Castle Clarion, Summerton.”
Uldamar was smiling.
“You liked that, I take it,” Ro said.
“I liked it very much,” he answered. “It may not result in a treaty with the trolls, but it should at least give them some serious thinking to do. And may cause them to question Beatryce about her plans to proceed.”
“If that’s all that happens, I’ll still take it as a win.” Ro rolled her shoulders. She was feeling her recent sword practice, which made her realize she needed to do it more often. “I’ll sign that one, too, and they can both be sent.”
“I’ll just be a few minutes,” Posey said. Soon, she handed the second letter to Violet for proofing.
“Your highness,” Uldamar said. “Ecclesia has asked me to speak with you about something.”
Ro drank the last of her tea. “Don’t tell me she’s leaving after all.”
“No, quite the contrary. She doesn’t want you to think the quarters she was given aren’t suitable, but she would very much like to move into the wing that’s just been reopened.
She understands that might put her farther away than you would like, but she has expressed a desire to be closer to the aetheryn.
Since she will be involved in tutoring the boy anyway—”
“I have no problem with that,” Ro said. “In fact, I love that she’s that invested. Gabriel, will you see about getting a few guards to help her?”
“I will.”
Ro really wanted another cookie, but she’d had enough. “Is there any other business we need to discuss, since we have the time?”
“I’m sure you’ve thought about this,” Gabriel said. “But where do you stand on the possibility of offering your sister a position as a working royal?”
“I haven’t really thought about it,” Ro confessed. “It’s crossed my mind, but with everything else going on, I didn’t focus on it. Are you saying I should?”
“You shouldn’t do anything except what you want to. There would be some benefits to it, however.”
Violet set the second letter next to Posey and focused on the new topic of conversation.
“What kind of benefits?” Ro asked.
“There might be occasions where her presence would be an advantage. Having more members of the royal family available to meet dignitaries or visit businesses or mark special days in the kingdom would make your workload lighter. And Prince James’s.”
“I wouldn’t say we’re exactly overburdened at the moment, but I see what you’re saying.”
“It would also be easier to allocate more thorough security to her and Mason if she were officially recognized.”
She glanced at Uldamar. “Do you support this?”
“I must defer to Lord Nightborne in matters of security, but it does seem to make sense.”
She looked to Violet next. “What do you think about this?”
“I think you should do what’s best for the kingdom,” her aunt said. “Although this is a very personal matter, as well.”
“It is.” Ro exhaled, thinking that over. “So she’d be a princess. Which would make Mason a prince.”
Gabriel leaned forward, elbows on his knees.
“It would put Dove third in the line of succession and Mason fourth. Extending the line of succession isn’t a bad thing.
I hate to be this blunt, but it puts more obstacles in Anyka and Beatryce’s path should either of them still seriously be considering making any further attempts for the Summerton crown. ”
Ro pondered that. “That would be a smart thing to do, then. But what about Michael? And even more so, what about Star? I have no desire to give her a royal title.”
Violet pursed her lips.
Posey set one letter aside to look up. “You wouldn’t need to. Michael could become a lord and Star a lady. Those are really just honorary titles that convey no real power.”
Gabriel nodded. “She’s right.”
Ro let out a soft snort. “Tell that to Star. She will believe that title gives her all kinds of rights. And I promise you, she will put on airs.”
“Mm-hmm,” Violet muttered.
“Let her,” Gabriel said. “The palace staff now know better.”
“So will the citizens of this land,” Uldamar added. “They will understand.”
Ro put her hands on her knees. “All right, then. That’s what I’ll do.”
Posey lifted her pen. “You want me to write those orders up tonight?”
“No. Finish the letters so I can sign them, then we’re done.” She paused. “I want the letters to go out tonight. And I want to talk to Dove before these titles become a reality. This isn’t something I can just spring on her.”
“I’ll take care of sending the letters myself,” Gabriel said.
Posey handed the first letter to Violet, who passed it to Ro. “Ready for signature and sealing.”
Ro opened the small box on the table that held her pen and her seal, along with the sealing wax. She added her signature, then folded the letter. She lit the wick on the wax stick, dripped melted wax onto the paper to secure the fold, then pressed her seal into it.
After it cooled, she held the letter out to Gabriel. “For Beatryce.”
Posey passed the letter for the trolls next and Ro repeated the process.
Done, she got to her feet. They all did the same.
“Thank you for staying with me tonight to get this accomplished. I’ll see you all in the morning.
Posey, I’ll send for you when I’m ready.
Which means after I talk to Dove about the titles.
I want to make sure she understands why I’m doing it and is ready for the responsibilities.
Better than surprising her. She’s already dealing with a lot of change. ”
“A wise choice, your highness. I’ll wait to hear from you.” Posey headed out, Uldamar behind her.
Ro hugged Violet and her aunt said goodnight. She left through the adjoining door between their apartments.
Gabriel alone lingered. “Can I make a suggestion?”
She expected he had something to say about Dove. “Of course.”
“A little time off might be in order. Even if it’s just a few hours of riding.”
She smiled. “And would you be accompanying me on that ride?”
The spark in his eyes answered the question. “What kind of bodyguard would I be if I didn’t?”
“I think it sounds wonderful. Let me deal with Dove and this title business, then I’m all yours.”
He pursed his lips for a moment, as if trying not to say something he shouldn’t. “That, my lady, is an offer I will not take lightly.”
He leaned in and kissed her.
Ro went to bed with a smile on her face.