CHAPTER 23

The queen and king of the Cedarfall Court sat slumped on twin chairs, eyes red-rimmed and cheeks flushed with sorrow. Their pain rolled off them in waves so intense it nearly had me stumbling back. I was evermore thankful for Erix's presence and the hand that he'd not removed from my back the moment we entered the room.

"Orion's body is kept at the capital of Farrador, ready for the burial ceremony, which will be held in a matter of days," Queen Lyra explained, voice horse and quiet. "It would be custom to invite the members of each court, but as it stands, a family affair would be preferred. It is what he would have wanted. Orion was never one for fanfare."

I hated the silence that followed, so I filled it – giving myself something to say.

"I am deeply sorry for your loss." I felt the need to say it aloud but regretted it as Queen Lyra winced as though the sincerity in my voice pained her.

"As am I, Robin." Lyra bowed her head, eyes glittering with unspent tears. "It should be criminal for a parent to see the life cycle of their child end so abruptly. I only wish there was a law I could implement to prevent this from happening, but alas, here we are."

I bowed my head as Erix spoke over my heavy thoughts. "We will see that the Hunter is punished for his crimes."

"Settle down," King Thallan added, leaning forward in the chair, his knuckles white as he gripped the armrests. "It is believed that Lady Kelsey is as much to blame. And it is her head I would prefer to see severed and spiked for this. She was the puppet master, the Hunter was merely a boy at the end of her strings. As much a victim as Orion."

" If her involvement is proven, my sister will answer for her crimes. But only when I am certain she was, in fact, involved. I have not come to a conclusion as of yet," Queen Lyra added, sparing her husband a look with grief-stricken eyes.

It was clear that both the queen and king held different views on what had occurred. King Thallan held darker thoughts towards his wife's sister, whereas Queen Lyra was not prepared to solidify her decision.

Lady Kelsey might have aided in Orion's death, but she was still family. And until proof was found that she was directly involved in the Hunters being on Icethorn land, or the gryvern attack, no brash action would be sought after.

"Do you require my assistance with the Hunter's interrogation?" Erix asked. "I offer myself if you do."

"You are to shadow Robin until the Passing. Only after he claims his court will you be required to leave him. Not for a moment before. I trust I don't need to explain why this is necessary?"

My skin itched as they spoke on my behalf as though I was not here. "I saw the power which I'm to claim. Forgive me for distrusting in my own ability, but do you know how or what I'm to do? I feel as though I'm going in unprepared, and I know that'll only lead to failure. I don't like the idea–"

"And I do not particularly like that my son lost his life, yet here I am, and there you are." A sudden flare of heat boiled in the air, making me turn my head to the side. There was no visible fire or flame, only the sizzling ripples of air melting from Queen Lyra's skin.

I bowed my head, apology for my stupid use of words fumbling over my lips.

"History of the fey is a long, complicated thing, and I can assure you my finest scholars are searching for confirmation as to what is required for you to claim your birthright. We have our suspicions, but I cannot deny it is an uncertain path, one that is not clear. Yet. Never in our history has the power been left without someone to control it. If Julianne had introduced you to court when you were born, your tie to the magic would've been already accepted."

"Understood," I replied, trying not to shy away from her controlled flare of anger. I wasn't ready to dive into my mother's actions, or lack thereof. "Erix has explained as much as he could, but I'm still cut short on what I can do."

"If I had known he was such a well-taught historian, then perhaps he would have been in the libraries, and you would have another as a shadow." There was a sharpness to King Thallan's comment, as though he meant it to sting. But Erix did not flinch, only stared ahead, seemingly unscathed and unbothered.

"Well," I bit back, unable to stop myself. "Considering he's the only one who is willingly giving me answers, I think it is best that he is my shadow." I felt defensive at Thallan's remarks about Erix. The strange feeling twisted and coiled within me, ready to strike in protection like a snake made of steel.

"Robin," Erix cooed, fingers tensing on my back. "Best not ruffle anymore feathers."

"No. Regardless of what has happened, no one is granted the right to speak to a person like that. Especially not someone like you, who has offered nothing but support." I spared him a glance, but only briefly before focusing my daggered stare back on the grieving queen and king. "I might not know much about the courts and the fey, but I understand that if I'm to claim my mother's court, then it puts us on equal footing, so I request that you treat me as such."

A king – just as Erix had told me.

"Are you so absorbed that you cannot see what we are doing for you, Robin Icethorn." Queen Lyra used my name as a weapon, carving it into me as if to prove it belonged there. "This entire manor has been cleared out to ensure your safety and success. My own family's lives are put on the line in order to keep you breathing. Do not think for a moment that we are not taking this matter seriously. You may be our equal, but a lesson for you to remember is you are still a guest in my court. Ensure it is known that my own bloodline is suffering for a mistake your mother has made. If you hold resentment, do not take it out on me."

"Mistake?" I asked, head tilting in question as though I had not quite heard her correctly. "Care to elaborate on what you mean by that?"

"Oh, I believe it is very clear." Tears glistened in her widening eyes, yet not a single one spilt down the curve of her pale skin. "Leaving you to be brought up by a man who would never truly understand you. Keeping you in the dark of who you are, and what you mean to our people." Her tears fell furiously over her cheeks. My eyes pricked too, as Lyra spoke every hurt I had harboured in the dark, and brought it to the light. "And yet, her gravest mistake of all, was not getting to cherish the little time she had with her own son. What I'd give for one more conversation with Orion, and yet Julianne had no qualms with leaving you–"

"I think that is enough." King Thallan's voice boomed over us all, a wave of command that I had not yet seen from the man.

I couldn't breathe. Lyra's words cut deep, because they were true.

If my legs worked, perhaps I would've fled the room entirely. As if reading my intention, Erix stepped before me, blocking the view of the queen, although her sobs persisted. He laid both hands on my shoulders, anchoring me to the ground. "They are only trying to help, little bird. But you are no mistake." His hands ran down from my shoulders to my upper arms and squeezed. "Do you hear me?"

"She is right," I gasped, struggling to catch my breath. "Nothing she said was wrong."

I brushed him aside, facing Queen Lyra, whose eyes darkened with regret. Before she could apologise, I began to speak.

"I spoke out of turn," I said, trying to soften my voice as I spoke through gritted teeth. Erix moved back to his post beside me, returning his hand to my back. "And for that, I apologise."

Queen Lyra simply tipped her head but did not say a word.

"Your father has been asking for you." King Thallan quickly changed the subject, grasping my attention. "We have kept him to his room, ensuring he is out of harm's way. Unlike your arrival, we have been able to keep his presence in Aurelia to only those we trust. You may want to visit him to let him know you are well."

Witnessing Lyra's grief over her son, hearing her words echo in my skull, made my desire to fall into my father's arms unignorable.

"Thank you," I said, bowing my head.

King Thallan's unwavering gaze dropped to the floor as though he'd been struck with a memory too hard to ignore. And it hit me, that look of grappling grief. Unlike me and my father, Thallan would never get the chance to look into his son's eyes again.

I almost turned to leave, but something stopped me. A need to speak my truth, in hopes it helped them.

"Orion fought valiantly by our side, even though his views on my… future differed from yours," I said, allowing every bit of sincerity into my voice.

Queen Lyra reached for her husband's hand and squeezed it, gripping onto him as though the tide of sorrow was moments from dragging him away. He slowly lifted his spare hand and placed it upon hers, a tethering of flesh and bone to one another.

"I do hope you both get the time you need and deserve to deal with this. My deepest condolences."

"Your kind words are appreciated, Robin," Queen Lyra thanked me, voice breaking enough to notice. "I suppose we have already required a reminder as to just how important kinder words are. So, with that, I too am sorry."

"No, Queen Lyra. For once, it's refreshing to hear the truth, no matter how painful it is."

"The truth may be painful," she replied, "but it is also what will set us free. We are old enough to know that the pain will soon fade. But I am also wise enough to understand that this wound, deep and terrible as it is, will never truly go, and nor would I want it so. Orion was my firstborn. The reason why we had so many children was because the feeling of swelling love when I first held him was like no other in the world."

Erix placed a hand across his chest and rested it above his heart. "May he rest."

"May he rest." King Thallan looked up, echoing the sentiment like a prayer or song.

"May he rest indeed," a new voice spoke, appearing from out of nowhere.

Beside the twin thrones, the air seemed to shiver. I looked, narrowing in on the empty space the deep voice had come from. One moment there was nothing. The next, the air seemed to split in two, carved by an unseen knife. Yellow light shone from the seam in the air. It was as if a doorway had opened, revealing the very sun within it. But this was no door. There were no doors on this side of the room.

Erix tensed but didn't reach for a weapon. Queen Lyra and King Thallan hardly reacted to the miracle I beheld, whereas I couldn't do anything but watch as the spindle of light gave way to a tall form, haloed in a bright glow that blurred all features and secrets.

Until the man stepped with both feet beyond, and the light simply vanished, leaving the room as though nothing had changed. All besides the person who now stood with us.

Long, curling dark-brown hair fell on either side of his face, resting over his shoulders; although thick, it did little to hide the sister points of ears that poked free on either side. He smiled, staring at me as though I was the only person in the room. I watched his deep, sun-kissed skin pull over high cheekbones as he held his grin, bright ocean-blue eyes devouring me where I stood.

I knew those with unending wealth would pay hoards of coin for jewels as blue as this man's eyes. And from the knowing smirk he showed me, he knew it himself.

"Tarron," Erix groaned the name from my side.

So this was the Oakstorm heir Althea was talking about. He wore a white shirt, sleeves rolled up to the elbows. Rings of dark metal flexed across almost all his fingers as he twisted them before him as though he longed to keep them busy. His leather breeches were form-fitting, highlighting just how long his legs were, but not taking away from the fact he could kick a door down with little effort if he so desired. The boots he wore showed no sign of scuffing across their polished surface.

"Well, I do hope I did not interrupt anything too important," he said, voice almost purring.

I almost answered, still entrapped in the strange trance that I felt as though he only spoke to me.

But then King Thallan called back, bringing me back to the room. "Never, your presence is always welcome here."

"That is good to know." Tarron ran his fingers through his hair, tucking some behind an ear. It gave way to a view of his long neck and broad shoulders. He was a specimen, and from the sly smile he had still not dropped, he knew it. "An invitation is an invitation. No matter the form of entrance, I suppose."

"Robin, this is–" Queen Lyra began, only to be silenced by heavy footfalls as Tarron strode forward towards me, finishing her sentence.

"Robin Vale," Tarron said, mere steps before me. He looked down a strong nose as he inspected me, hardly blinking as he did so. "It truly is a pleasure to see you in the flesh. And my, I must admit I am in awe of your story thus far."

Regardless of his words, I was hooked on one thing in particular.

"You just said my name," I muttered, intrigued.

Not the one I was told I was, but the one I'd only ever known.

"What else am I to call you?" He cocked his head to the side, playful eyes ablaze with light.

"Vale. That isn't something I've heard since being here." No one had called me that since arriving in Wychwood. Yet here Tarron stood, and he'd not called me by the court I was destined to claim.

"Well yes. That is all I know you to be. Perhaps you will tell me otherwise. But, oh my, how awfully rude." He stepped back, forced surprise plastered across his face. Then he bowed a head, only slightly, still with that grin cutting across his cheeks as though it always belonged there. "Robin Vale, it is a pleasure to meet you. A surprise as well, but a pleasure all the same."

I couldn't ignore the emphasis on my name this time. He dragged it out, rolling the letters over his tongue as though tasting it for the first time.

"And you," I replied, trying to steady my voice. I felt a hand on my back stiffen and remembered Erix was close beside me.

"Erix," Tarron spared him a glance, turning slowly to regard my shadow. "I would say I am surprised you have been chosen as his personal guard. Only the best, I suppose."

They knew each other. That much was clear. And not simply on a first name basis either. History hung between them, thick and thunderous, at least from Erix, who likely flexed every muscle in his body as he studied Tarron. Whereas Tarron just smiled, which only seemed to agitate Erix further.

"Tarron Oakstorm," I said, retrieving his attention back to me. "I have been told I am to thank you."

"Well, do go ahead."

"I think that is sufficient."

The prince of the Oakstorm Court stood before me proudly, releasing a breath that stirred the hairs upon my head.

"Tarron has been sharing his gift with those who require it," King Thallan said from his seat. "Without his knowledge, Althea's little friend may not have seen it through."

"That dear girl – Briar, is it? Ah yes. The Taster. It was a challenge to heal her, but then again, I do enjoy a challenge." My skin itched as Tarron repeated words I'd not held in relation to Erix. "Tugwort is a nasty poison, but even that has an antidote if you know where to look."

"And I suppose you heard about what happened when we went to get that antidote?" I asked, unable to stop myself.

The queen shifted awkwardly in her seat, leaning forward as if equally desperate to hear how Tarron would respond.

His entire body changed. His expression hardening into one of disgust. "I did. And, trust me. I will personally be checking in on that Hunter to make sure they pay for defiling your homeland, Robin."

Well, that wasn't what I expected him to say. But even if I didn't want to, I believed his reaction was genuine.

"Briar will not be tasting a single speck of my food again," I said, choosing to skip the thank you… for now.

"Putting others before yourself, Robin." Tarron turned on his heel towards the queen and king. "I am beginning to think it is a waste if he does not accept Icethorn and its power, no matter how disappointing that would be for me. He would make a fine king."

"It is not clear what decision is being made," Queen Lyra spoke up. "But for the sake of his aid in saving my daughter from Hunters, we will support him."

"You will?" Tarron paced the floor as though he owned it. "I suppose you have the perfect reasoning behind your sudden support against our plans. I cannot fault you for that. However, I do find it strange that a year since the last Passing, you have suddenly changed your tune over a single man. Was it not yourselves who donated a rather large fund towards the campaign only a year ago? Is it not your capital that houses our armies?"

"Minds can change like the tide," King Thallan spoke up. This time it was he who seemed to want to pounce from his chair.

"They can do indeed." Tarron shot a glance back to me, lower lip nipped briefly between straight, white teeth.

"If you do not mind," I said, wanting nothing more than to leave this conversation. It had been a long day, with an even longer night prior, and I wanted to see my father before my legs gave out from exhaustion. "As much as I enjoy being spoken about as though I am not here, I think it may be my time to visit my father."

"Understood, he will like that," Queen Lyra said quickly, as though she were waiting for a reason to end this conversation. Even Erix relaxed by my side for a moment before Tarron spoke up once again.

"If that is the case, I must insist I escort you to him. Firstly, to apologise for making you feel so… unseen. And secondly, for I have much to ask you, as I am sure you have much to ask me. The walk would give us the perfect time to speak."

"No," Erix snapped, standing before me as a shield of height and muscle.

"Settle down, pup ," Tarron said, laughing through his dismissive tone. "I understand you take your job rather seriously. Believe me, I do. However, my skill set suggests I am far more prepared to protect Robin than those dirtied blades at your hips."

Erix shook violently, looking to the queen and king for aid, but they didn't provide it.

"The choice is Robins to make," Queen Lyra finally said, tired eyes falling shut with each prolonged blink. "Erix, you could do with a rest yourself."

"What do you say, Robin Vale?" Tarron extended a hand. The tips of his fingers were not the same golden glow as the rest of his skin. Down towards his knuckles, his skin was pale, as though overwhelmed by frostbite or molten silver. It made the dark rings only stand out more. "Will you do me the honour of your time?"

"No…" Erix repeated through a jaw clenched shut. "He is in my care."

"And Robin is in my court," Queen Lyra snapped. "Erix, take this as an excuse to rest. You clearly need it."

"But–"

"Dismissed, Erix."

The decision was made for me, however, I had time to answer for myself. Deep down, I did want to explore the stranger before me whose blue eyes glowed with willing stories.

I reached for Erix, trying to slip my hand into his closed fist. "I'll be fine. I'm only going to see my father, and for that I would want space for anyway."

He turned on me with wide eyes of surprise, mouth parted as though he could not decide on what to say to me.

"Is that a yes to my invitation?" Tarron's smooth voice interrupted the moment. I waited for Erix to speak, wondering if he would say the right thing and encourage me to come with him, but he said nothing. He pulled his hand out of my reach and turned for the double doors.

Anger pulsed through me, a feeling I didn't expect to feel as I watched Erix walk away in his boiling silence.

"Yes," I replied, as Erix reached for the handle and stilled. "I accept."

Erix ripped the door open with such violence I almost expected it to part from its hinges.

"Well…" Tarron offered me the crook of his arm. "Where shall we begin?"