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“What’s the occasion?” I called over the noise.
“I don’t know. I had no idea this was happening today.” Eadaoin accepted a sweet apple from a giggling snake girl. “Thank you, sweetling.” She passed it to me. “Shall we join?”
I hesitated. I couldn’t get distracted. I was leaving Lumenfell for good that night, and there was still much to prepare before Shadowsoul summoned me back for my lessons. “There’s something I have to do first.”
Walking up to the stage, I signaled the fiddler once, twice, five times before he noticed me and stopped playing. Annoyance lit his feathery chicken face until he got a proper look at me. He grabbed the flute player’s elbow—eeking out a harsh, discordant sound.
The music stopped. The dancing stopped. Everything stopped.
Steeling myself, I climbed onto the platform. The band shuffled to the side.
“Excuse me, everyone. I’m sorry to interrupt your celebrations, but there’s something I need to say.” All eyes were on me—as blank and void as the eyes on me when the villagers attacked. Every smile and laugh wiped away.
As much as it pained me, I understood why they hated me. Their king set off to throw over the foreign princess they tossed in his lap, believing her to be a spy. Instead, he brings her to Lumenfell, and the first thing she does is unleash the literal wolves on them.
The funny thing was I’d be a hero back home in Lyrica if they discovered what I’ve done. Setting off a civil war and making the enemy they can’t defeat tear each other apart until they defeat themselves? To all of the summer fae, my blunder was a gift from Meya. But to me...
I was never supposed to be here. Presiding over life and death, setting off wars, playing the deadly game of politics. It wasn’t my life or my responsibility, but if it was, this wasn’t how I wanted to use my power. Maybe Kirwan, King Salman, or even Princess Emiana could crow and celebrate the slaughterof harmless villagers living out a simple life of farming, trading, and raising their children, but not me. I had done wrong.
“And I need to say so,” I rang out. “I’m so sorry that I didn’t take the time to learn about the customs and traditions of Lumenfell before I presumed to make decisions for it. I know you think me your enemy, but the truth is”—I hid a sad smile—“I have more in common with you than you might think.
“I don’t wish a single one of you harm, and by my honor, I will see to it that you’re protected.” My eyes traveled back to the wolves standing at the fringes. “If even one innocent person is hurt or killed by a wolf faeriken, Meallan will be killed, and Foalan named alpha of their pack.”
The blowback was immediate.
“Argh!” Snarls and growls turned the air as the wolves surged forward—coming for me fast.
“You do not name the alpha of our pack,” one woman roared. “We do!”
“You have no right!”
I smirked. “I have every right. I am your queen. Unless...” My grin widened. “If you’re claiming I’m not your queen and you’re not under my authority, then Meallan lied about dissolving the borders and welcoming the wolves as equal members ofmykingdom.
“If you’re not members of my kingdom, the deal is forfeit and you’re trespassing on my territory. In that case, you can form an orderly line back to your dark pit in the forest.”
No one breathed. The only movement were the eyeballs rolling around in the villagers’ heads, shooting back and forth between me and the wolves.
“What say you?” I snapped. “Am I your queen, or are you leaving?”
The wolves shared a look—their lips peeled back from their fangs. I sensed their desire to sink them in my throat.
“You are our queen.”
I spun around.
Meallan leaned against the platform, munching on an apple. He winked at me. “And a formidable queen you are. Whatever ignorance you had of our customs, you’ve made a quick study.” He flung the half-eaten core over his shoulder. “Never fear, my oh so favorite madwoman, we have no intention of harming the villagers or a single innocent person. So certain am I that this will not be an issue, that I will accept your terms.
“If anyone in Lumenfell is unjustly slain by wolf hands, I will be put to death and my loathsome brother named alpha.” His smile was almost sweet. “Acceptable?”
I simply nodded.
“Then we’ll be on our way, and leave you to your celebrations.” Meallan jerked his chin and the wolves melted into the shadow—gone as eerily as they arrived.
Sighing, I turned back to my audience. “There. I hope that makes up for—”
“Huzzah! Huzzah! All hail Queen Emiana.”
I blew back, choking on a cry of surprise.
