Page 200 of Spring Guardians & Songbirds

“Keep an eye on them for now and let me know when they will set sail. As for Silas, I will have Kilian send out news to father and the whole of Isjord, it ought to keep my father from using this golden opportunity.”

“Their ships are anchored in Grasmere, Snow. Gara controls all their itinerary and the Isjordian fleet that will escort them out at sea. I’m afraid we are blind there still.”

“Did you receive my letter from the servant?”

His mouth tipped up. “Yes. I did. And the package is secured.”

Stabbing my fork on a carrot, I forced it into my mouth, hoping the vile taste of the vegetable could tone down my amusement. And it did. “Well done, Bash.”

Alaric was frowning at me. “What package?”

“Do you really want to know?” I asked, sipping on some water. “It won’t do your heart any good.”

“This is so strange,” Thora noted, munching on a piece of bread. “You really are queen.”

“Wait till they bend down and kiss my toes.”

Her eyes went wide and she giggled.

Lazarus came next, frowning as usual. “Saw your husband on the way out,” he growled, taking a seat and tearing through an apple.

My sister studied him head to toe. First impressions had always been very important to her. It took only one look for her to lose all interest in someone. “Must have truly been a humbling experience for you.” And there was her judgement.

He frowned. “Who are you?”

“Thora Isa Krigborn.”

Skygard—I wanted to correct. But this was foreign land to her while I’d spent the past decade engraving myself as a Skygard. What if she hated it here?

Lazarus shot up from his seat, glancing between my siblings and I. “You’ve found them.”

“Actually,” Thora drew out with a polite smile. “Her husband did.”

He cleared his throat and turned to me. “I’ve left soldiers holding Fogling guard. I’m leaving for Myrdur tonight. There have been sightings of squadrons with Crafters travelling through Tenebrose.”

“Make sure no one makes it past the ruins and get Visha with you to plant hexes around the Volants.”

The winged general nodded. “I think we should hold forts in our mountains. I’ve got a feeling we are nearing the time where we won’t be able to hide anymore.”

Something crawled up my stomach—something resembling fear. And I hated it.

“What happens if they make it past the ruins?” Thora asked. “Won’t the old mist hold them back?”

“Crafters are feeding on a beast’s blood, their powers have gotten stronger. Snow believes they could find a way through it,” Alaric explained. “And Silas will find out about Olympia.”

Eren and I crossed the obsidian bridge connecting the castle to the city. I had brought him with me to see the kingdom—his kingdom. He was not only the crown prince of Isjord, but Olympia’s as well, which meant he was the true king and I held his position. Eren deserved my seat more than anyone in this realm. This was my kingdom, it would still be mine—always. Nothing would change even if Eren came into power, perhaps all would be better.

The city was at its busiest, the whole mountain face bustled and roamed with carriages, merchants, children and those busy tending to their business. My chest expanded with pride at how far we’d come.

“I would have never imagined this,” Eren said, taking in the expanding city. “Mother told me stories, but the greatness exceeds anything she has ever described.”

“It is so much more than this. More than you can ever imagine. The kingdom expands for uncountable miles, all hidden right before your very eyes. Not only surviving but thriving.”

He gave me a smile and wrapped an unsure arm around my shoulders. “I have heard more about you from your people than I had thought I knew about my little sister. I could not believe this wild child had become the queen they had described. Mother would have been so proud just as I am right now.”

I’d forgotten how his words felt. How warm and comforting they were. “I want the best the heavens can offer for our kingdom and now I think the best this kingdom can have stands before me.” I halted and turned to face him. “You were the crown prince, the throne I am holding now feels as if it doesn’t belong to me. I will pass the crown to you. You are the true king of Olympia.”

He frowned. “There is no such thing as a true king or queen, that throne is yours. I am no king, never had any desire to become one either despite how I was raised.” He rested a warm palm on my cheek. “Can we please speak of something else.”