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“Sorin told us at our meeting yesterday morning that he suspected he was not mortal. I sent Princess Ashtine to see what she could discover,” Talwyn explained.
With her eyes still on Talwyn, she said to Sorin down their bond,You told them about Mikale?
Nasima told Ashtine about that day in my old apartment. Ashtine has been keeping an eye on things. They know nothing else.He squeezed her hand gently in emphasis.
“But how did they get to the mortal lands?” Cyrus asked, breaking the silence that had ensued.
“That is the question, isn’t it?” Talwyn replied thoughtfully.
“What is he if he is not mortal? Have others been found in the other lands?” Briar asked. His usual bright eyes and lighthearted manners had been replaced by an intense resolve. The look of a prince set on protecting those in his charge.
“Rayner has not seen nor heard of any,” Sorin answered, glancing to his Ash Rider.
“Nor have I,” Princess Ashtine chimed in, “but that does not mean it has not happened. There are powerful spells and charms out there. After all, I did not know about Scarlett thanks to powerful old magic. Your mother did her work thoroughly it seems.” The princess’s eyes were still on Scarlett, a look of curiosity on her face, as if Scarlett were a puzzle she could not figure out but delighted in the challenge.
Scarlett sat quietly, watching the others exchange thoughts and ideas, taking in their facial expressions and tones.
“If they have come from other lands, perhaps it would be wise to invite the leaders of the territories to a summit, Talwyn,” Sorin suggested. “They should be put on alert. Maybe there are already others among their lands. They could be preparing.”
“It has been centuries since all the leaders have convened in one place,” Azrael drawled. “You cannot honestly think they would all come?”
“If the queens summon them, they will come,” Sorin argued.
“Hazel seemed agreeable enough,” Scarlett cut in, only half listening to what they were saying around her. She was lost in her own thoughts of things she’d discovered about Mikale and Lord Tyndell. “I’m sure she would come.”
The room went silent, and every set of eyes turned to her. It took her a moment to realize it. Sorin was watching her closely, as if he knew she was not completely present.
“I do not think,” Talwyn said slowly, her words clipped, “that the High Witch’s name and agreeable have ever been used in the same sentence.”
Scarlett wasn't sure what to say. Hazel hadn’t exactly been welcoming, but she wasn’t nearly as terrible as the Witches had been made out to be. Finally she said, “If you want a meeting with the leaders of the realms, Hazel will be there. We have a…mutual need of each other at the present.”
Talwyn’s brows rose high. “Pray tell, what is that?” Her voice was calm, but Scarlett could hear the effort in it. It seemed she was not too keen that she had somehow managed to get on better terms with the High Witch in one meeting than she had in her years as queen.
Scarlett, however, was not ready to reveal what she had learned of Cassius. They didn’t even know who Cassius was. She didn’t feel right telling all of them before she told Cassius himself. Besides, she was certain her cousin had secrets of her own she was keeping from her. Despite her claims in that council room yesterday, this was, in fact, a game. It was all a game of gleaning information and revealing it at the proper time, so she answered with a shrug, “That is business between me and the High Witch, but she will come if asked.”
Talwyn glared at her, and she felt Sorin throwing her a sidelong glance.
Princess Ashtine cut in with her mystical, silvery tone. “I agree that it would be fruitful to hold a summit. However, we also need to attend to the mortal lands immediately. Every resource needs to be put to use to figure out what they are and what they want.”
“I would assume,” Azrael said, “they are there for their weapon.” As he said the last words, his eyes narrowed at Sorin, his lip curling into a snarl.
Sorin ignored him completely, instead looking at Talwyn and saying with casual arrogance, “Leash your dog, Talwyn, or did you not fill him in on everything you told us yesterday?”
Scarlett felt a whip of wind in the dining room, Talwyn’s jade green eyes flaring as she replied, “Hold your tongue, Prince of Fire.”
“Enough,” Scarlett said. She didn’t yell it, but her voice was firm enough that every single person turned to her. “I know there arescores to settle and old feuds that I know nothing of. Frankly, I don’t give a shit. I have matters to tend to in the human lands and need to return. The Crown Prince needs to return home as well. I will look into things while there. In the meantime, call the summit. I can return for it if it falls before I am able to complete my business there.”
“No,” Talwyn said. There was no room for debate, no room for discussion in her tone.
Scarlett heard Sorin suck in a breath beside her.
Scarlett…came down the bond, but she somehow threw that connection from her mind, blocking him out.
“Shit,” she heard him mutter under his breath.
“What did you say?” Scarlett asked slowly, coldly.
“I said no,” Talwyn replied, enunciating each syllable. “You have just returned. You have only started to master your gifts. Until you do so more fully, you must stay here.”
