Valorn, Kiva knew, was one of Evalon’s strongest allies, along with the southernmost kingdom of Nerine. If there was a chance that their close relationship might convince the villagers to trust them, then Ashlyn was right about it being worth the attempt.
“Same groups as last time,” the princess declared. “I’ll go with Eidran, Galdric, and Tor to the village, while the rest of you meet with Queen Issa and Lady Silence.”
“Lady S-Silence?” Tipp asked.
“Issa’s adviser,” Ashlyn answered.
Seeing the puzzled looks on both Tipp’s and Kiva’s faces, Jaren edged closer and shared, “Issa’s mother died during childbirth, and her father passed away unexpectedly a few years ago, leaving her as their only heir. But she’s not yet of age, so Silence acts as both mentor and counsel, signing off on any decisions she makes. We won’t see one without the other.”
“We will see a lot of very adoring courtiers, though,” Caldon said, and Kiva couldn’t tell if he was eager or resigned. “It’s an offense to say no to Valornian hospitality, so if they offer you something, best to accept, even if you don’t want whatever it is.”
Jaren noticed Kiva’s worried look and said, “Within reason.”
She nodded and shifted away from him, causing frustration to flash across his features. Kiva ignored him, still seeking to protect them both, and asked Galdric, “It’s getting late — is the anomaly village far?”
He answered, “Further than the last two. But we should make it by nightfall.”
Kiva pointed to the thunderheads gathering beyond the nearest mountains. “You need to keep an eye on those clouds.”
Torell and Eidran frowned up at the sky, while Ashlyn cursed quietly and said, “I was hoping we’d return in time for us to all stay together tonight, but it looks like we’ll have to find an inn again.” She brushed her pale hair over her shoulder and sighed. “I guess we’ll meet you back here in morning.”
They hashed out a few more details before the four anomaly hunters mounted their horses and rode away, heading toward a gap in the mountain range. Kiva and her group also moved out, but toward the city. Like Ersa, Lyras had no fortified wall — the mountains themselves provided a natural deterrent to any would-be attackers — but they were intercepted by a group of patrolling guards who, as with the previous cities, escorted them straight to the palace.
Up close, the salt-and-luminium combination was truly unique, making the crystalline architecture seem otherworldly. Even after Kiva and her companions relinquished their horses to the servants and stepped inside, the interior remained like something out of a dream, with white marble pathways meeting pillars that spiraled up to frosted ceilings dusted with countless luminium orbs.
Kiva struggled not to gape as they were led along the spacious hallways, but she did manage to adopt an unapproachable air when a trio of tittering courtiers headed for them, their formal gowns and perfect styling making her aware of her travel-worn appearance. Her time on the ship had at least allowed her a chance to thoroughly wash her clothes — and her body — but still, there was a vast difference between the splendor of what the women wore and her own functional leather outfit.
She mentally shook her head, wondering why she even cared. It didn’t matter how she looked. All of her companions were in the same boat, even if both Jaren and Caldon seemed to somehow make their armor look better than anyone else’s.
Jaren especially.
Stop it, Kiva scolded herself, grateful when their guard escorts waved off the courtiers before they could come any closer.
After a lengthy walk through endless hallways and up pale stone staircases, the guards delivered them to a comfortable receiving room with cream-colored armchairs facing an impressive white-oak desk. Behind it sat a girl who couldn’t have been more than twelve years old, her brown skin, unruly hair, and impossibly large eyes making her seem even younger. Standing just behind her and to the side was a sternlooking woman with graying hair and square spectacles on her nose. Her intimidating expression warmed, however, when she saw who it was who had interrupted their day.
“Prince Deverick, what an unexpected pleasure,” Lady Silence said, smiling widely. “And Prince Caldon, too. How lovely.”
Kiva searched for a lie in her voice, but she seemed genuinely delighted to see them.
“Jaren, it’s been far too long,” Queen Issa said, hurrying out from behind her desk and throwing her arms around him in a welcoming hug, prompting Kiva to fight an irrational surge of jealousy.
“You’re looking a little green there, Sweet Cheeks,” Caldon murmured from beside her. “Envy isn’t your color.”
She shot him a look, prompting a quiet chuckle in response. The sound made the young queen pull away from Jaren and then launch herself at Caldon, which, frustratingly, didn’t bother Kiva at all. In fact, she found it rather endearing that Issa was so familiar with the princes. Lady Silence, however . . .
“Your Majesty, remember your lessons,” the older woman said, sounding weary, as if the subject of courtly etiquette had been often repeated between them.
“But it’s Jaren and Cal,” Issa said, almost whining. “They’re my friends.”
“A queen doesn’t have friends,” Silence said.
Issa tightened her grip on Caldon. “This queen does. Especially when they’re this handsome.”
Tipp snickered, and even Kiva had to cough to hide her laugh. She couldn’t fault the young queen’s taste.
Diverted by Tipp’s humor, Issa drew away from Caldon and took in the rest of their group. Her dark eyes inspected Tipp the longest, causing his cheeks to turn pink. “Who are you?” she asked.
Kiva wasn’t sure if the question was to all of them, or just to Tipp. He also seemed unsure, and turned helpless eyes to Jaren.
“You already know Naari,” the prince said, prompting Issa to wave cheerfully in the guard’s direction, “and beside her is Cresta Voss, Tipp Peridon, and Kiva Corentine.”
The queen’s head spun toward Kiva. “Corentine? As in —”
“She’s a friend,” Jaren said firmly.
Kiva ignored the feeling that came with his declaration, knowing he was just trying to keep her from being dragged away by the guards. As a close ally, Issa would be well aware of the rebel situation — and the bloodline spearheading the movement.
“How interesting,” Issa said quietly, looking at Kiva in a different way, no longer a vivacious child but instead a calculating queen, hinting at the woman she would one day become.
“Perhaps you would like to invite Prince Deverick and his companions to take a seat?” Lady Silence prompted her charge.
“Oh! Where are my manners?” Issa said, shoving Caldon and Jaren forward. “Please, make yourselves comfortable.”
There were only four armchairs in front of the desk, but neither Naari nor Cresta seemed inclined to sit, both remaining like silent sentinels as the others lowered themselves onto the plush material.
“You absolutely must dine with me tonight,” Queen Issa said from behind her desk once more. “We’ll catch up properly then. But I have another meeting in a few minutes, so perhaps you’d like to share why you’ve come? It’s been weeks since we’ve heard anything from Evalon. Months, actually. I grew so concerned that I sent an envoy to check all was well — he’s due to return any day. But I guess I won’t need to hear his report now that you’re here. I’m so excited that —”