“You lie.”
“All truth,” he replied, grinning at her before he said to the children in their tongue, “Her name is Brynhildr.”
Sigurd crouched to hug a child who had barely walked when he’d last visited the islands. They were growing so fast, each one dramatically changed from what he remembered, with longer hair and smiling, nonjudgmental faces.
Children lacked the biases of their parents. Not that those biases weren’t well-deserved.
“Why is she wearing a crown? Is she a princess like Caecilia?”
“Not exactly,” he replied. “She’s a queen.”
“Another queen?” the little girl squealed.
“Can I touch it? Queen Anastasia and Queen Rapunzel let me touch their crowns! Can I touch it?”
“They want to touch your crown, if you’ll allow them,” Sigurd relayed. His, by comparison, was rather plain, just simple silver. He’d wanted nothing more, Bryn deserving the headpiece with the jeweled ornamentation and runic script engraved along its circumference. Sunlight winked against flawless sapphires and emeralds, turning them into blue and green stars.
Bryn knelt beside him despite the dirt and grass. Smiling, she removed her crown and set it on the head of the young girl. “There you go.” The girl’s eyes rounded wide and she squealed in glee. The other children gathered around, touching the circle with curious fingers.
The same little girl, having no concept of personal space, threw herself into Brynhildr’s arms and hugged her. Misty Sky couldn’t have been more than six. When she leaned back from their embrace, she unfastened her blue-feathered necklace and tied it around Brynhildr’s throat. “This is so our people will always be friends. It looks better with your crown.”
Blinking, Bryn gazed from the girl to Sigurd. “What is she saying?”
Sigurd relayed Misty Sky’s words, grinning as the girl returned Bryn’s crown back to her. “You’ve made a lifelong friend here.”
He loved watching Bryn with the kids. She was good with them, leading him to thoughts about their future as parents. She’d be an unbelievable mother.
“Camden!” He turned at the sound of his name, grin widening when he spotted Joren. Bryn rose and the children scattered, some running toward Joren while the others continued on to wherever they planned to play next.
They met halfway, each practically abandoning his wife for the hug that followed. Less than three months had passed since that day on the shoreline when he’d last seen his friend, his living and breathing friend, with his own eyes. The sight of Joren tumbling overboard after taking what should have been a fatal blow to the head had haunted him, no matter the assurances he was given of the prince surviving it. Finally, he could let that terrifying image fade. He hugged his friend tight just the same. “Where’s my sister?”
“Attending Rapunzel. She’s seen more of you than any of us so she graciously said she’d step back and let us have a turn first.
“Sounds like Cara.”
He stepped back and gestured for Bryn to step up to them, automatically curving his arm around her waist. Startling him, his wife wiggled away and embraced Caecilia with the same energy Sigurd had reserved for Joren.
“A pleasure to see you again, Joren and Caecilia.”
The shorter mermaid tipped her face up to kiss Bryn’s cheek. “You are practically glowing, Brynhildr. Queenhood suits you well.”
Joren chuckled as Bryn kissed his cheek next. “You as well, Bryn.”
Sigurd still didn’t know what to make of Caecilia. The beautiful woman didn’t match what he’d heard of the infamous sea witch, but those details did not matter. What concerned him most was that she’d saved Joren and she loved him. “When do they want to get started with this meeting?”
“Now, if you’re ready. Tiger Lily and the giant already went inside,” Joren replied. “Then we can enjoy the grand feast everyone is preparing. They’ve been roasting pigs.”
“Lead the way then, mate. Let’s get this show on the road.” The sooner it was done, the sooner Bryn’s fears could be assuaged. The sooner his fears could be assuaged. The woman beside him was now rock-steady, as if the hugs and smiles of a few village children had been more reassuring than his own words.
Unlike the mainland kingdoms, the islanders lacked stately castles and great manors. They lived humble lives that Sigurd found beautiful.
Joren led the way to a community gathering building, not giving them more than a breath of time to gather their courage before joining the impressive group inside. The other monarchs and leaders had assembled around a small table, but they all turned when they entered.
Bryn stepped forward and bowed. “I bid you all greetings from Ridaeron. Thank you for hosting this summit.”
Silence fell over a room occupied by the gulf’s greatest monarchs, and he felt scrutinized by his former queen, Rapunzel, and her griffin-shifter husband. Near them stood the great dragon king of Cairn Ocland and his enchantress wife. Queen Anastasia’s father, the benevolent ruler of Creag Morden, wasn’t far from them. King Morgan appeared to be the eldest of the royal group and also the most human, his gray head matched by an equally steel-streaked beard.
Grand Enchanter Joaidane, the powerful half-djinn protector of Samahara, too good a soul to claim the title of sultan, stared at them through impassive eyes. Only Thrym smiled at them, comfortably seated on the floor. Even so, he sat as tall as the others standing in his vicinity.
Gods, please. Whether you be Eislandic or Ridaeron, let them give her a chance.
Joaidane stepped forward first, sweeping into a low bow. “Welcome, Queen Brynhildr and King Sigurd. This is a momentous day for all our kingdoms. Please, join us.”
“Thank you, Grand Enchanter.” Bryn managed a small smile as Sigurd bowed to the sorcerer.
“It is nice to finally meet the only other woman brave enough to overthrow a dark regime in her homeland,” Rapunzel said next as she crossed to them. Of everyone, Joren’s twin sister had the most reason to despise Ridaeron, but it was she who stepped forward and took Bryn’s hands in her gloved fingers before kissing each of her cheeks. “Thank you for coming.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Bryn said, appearing starstruck. “It is a pleasure to meet you at last. I…” Bryn faltered. A few heartbeats later, her shoulders pushed back and her serene smile returned. “I am honored to be here.”
“And Cam—Sigurd,” Rapunzel babbled out in a rush, catching herself. “It is good to see you again.”
A sharp laugh barked out of Sigurd before he crushed Rapunzel against him in a tight hug. “I was Cam for over thirty years. I’ll be Cam again for thirty minutes if it lightens the tension,” he teased. It was strange, approaching his queen as a true equal rather than a citizen of her kingdom or close friend of her brother. They’d known each other so long; two sets of twins, two pairs of friends.
“No, Sigurd is the name you call yourself, and so shall we,” Rapunzel said graciously, squeezing him in return. “Old habits…”
“Thank you.”
“Come, allow me to introduce you properly to everyone.” Rapunzel led them over to the others. “King Alistair and Queen Anastasia of Cairn Ocland.”