Chapter 2

D ressed in her robe and slippers, Queen Anyka Blackbryar stood on the balcony of her suite, staring out at the gloomy landscape of the Malveaux side of Willow Hall. Galwyn, her raven, perched on the railing, preening his feathers. She stroked a finger down his back.

No one had dared speak to her since the traitorous incident in the library, but her court was gathered in her sitting room, undoubtedly talking about her and what might be done about taking ownership of Lady Cynzia's grimoire.

What might be done? She wasn't sure. There was no easy answer. The upstart Radiant queen wasn't about to hand it over, just like she wasn't about to admit that she'd sent her unsycht personal guard to steal the book from Anyka.

She knew, without question, that was what had happened. How Sparrow had gotten her hands on it. That was the only explanation that made any sense.

An unsycht . Anyka's eyes narrowed in anger and frustration and disbelief that the Summerton queen had dared to employ such a despicable creature. Anyka had once again underestimated Sparrow. Not a mistake Anyka could afford to make again. From now on, the gloves were off. She would do exactly what needed to be done to protect her kingdom.

She'd already taken steps in that direction. She glanced toward the glass doors behind her. She needed an update. Along with some breakfast. She was furious, but she had to take care of herself. More than ever, she needed strength and stamina for the fight that lay ahead.

She opened the door. Trog was nearby, on guard as usual. "Get Wyett at once."

The enormous ginger-headed troll bodyguard grunted. "Trog get."

She closed the door and took a seat in one of the balcony chairs, beckoning to Galwyn. He flew to her, landing on her wrist. She petted his head. "My sweet boy."

Shortly, the door opened and Wyett stepped out. "My lady."

"Have you secured a tracker yet?"

"I have, your majesty. He promises to arrive as soon as possible."

"Is he reliable? Good at what he does?"

"It's my understanding he's the best."

"He'd better be. And he's Grym?"

"He is, my lady."

She lifted Galwyn to the back of the chair. "Where are you with finding a suitable male distraction for Princess Beatryce?"

Wyett clasped his hands behind his back. "That is proving more difficult. The options are slim."

She sighed as he confirmed what she'd suspected. "Is there anyone at all in Dearth? Someone I could summon to join us here?"

He hesitated. "Perhaps. I will make that my focus and see if I can procure a young man that way."

"Good."

"Will you be going down for breakfast?"

Not a question she'd been expecting. "After what just happened? Do you really think I'd be welcome? Or want to share space with that horrible woman?"

"Half of this palace sits on Malveauxian soil, my lady. You have as much right to your table in the dining hall as anyone. More, actually. You are our queen. And if I might add, what happened in the library was nothing that should cause you to be unwelcome. Queen Sparrow disrespected you. Lady Cynzia's grimoire is, by rights, Grym property. It belongs to you."

His words rekindled her ire. "It did belong to me until her treacherous blackguard stole it from me. He's a traitor to his own kind." She sat up straighter. "Which reminds me—summon Lystra immediately. She has been a disappointment so far. Perhaps she can redeem herself."

"I will do so immediately, my lady. Shall I also summon your maid to help you dress for breakfast?"

She steepled her fingers and went back to staring at the horizon. "Yes. Tell Princess Beatryce and my uncle to make themselves ready as well. And send word to Nazyr. I'll expect him at my table." His amulet had proved extremely helpful in locating the grimoire. Maybe he'd have other magic that could get it back.

"Very good, my lady."

"Remind me what other of my ministers are here?"

"Orthor Penkeep."

She curled her lip. "No. I will not have the Minister of Accounting at my table. He is as dry as stale bread. Who else?"

"Hawke Wickthorne, Vice-Minister of Defense."

"Only the Vice-Minister?"

"Minister Kilwin is quite old and infirm, your majesty. It was deemed best he not travel."

"Hawke will do then. Anyone else of interest?"

"The ministers of science and agriculture are here."

"No. That'll do. See that Wickthorne is invited to the royal table."

"I will, your highness."

She waved her hand. "That is all."

He left. She returned to her thoughts. Wyett had made a good point. Anyka had been feeling as though she was the one who'd done something wrong, but that wasn't true at all. Sparrow had shown her true colors, putting on that charade to make it seem as though she'd found the book.

What rubbish. And to think that Radiant crossover, who'd been living her life in the mortal world mere weeks ago, now had the gall to act as if she had the right to such an important piece of Grym history.

How dare she. Anyka would not let such disrespect stand.

But she would be smart about any actions she took. Sparrow probably expected her to declare war and draw lines and raise havoc, but Anyka would not give Sparrow what she expected. Because Anyka was smarter and more experienced.

She knew that subtlety took one farther, faster. It just required patience. Not something Anyka had in large quantities, but she would do her best. There was little point in summoning a tracker if she wasn't going to give him time to do his job.

No, she would find a way to quell her desire for blood. At least until she knew if Lady Cynzia was alive. If that was true, and if Anyka could persuade Lady Cynzia to return to the service of the crown, Anyka would be unstoppable.

Queen Sparrow would soon be nothing more than a footnote in a history book, because with Lady Cynzia's help, Anyka would take control of Summerton.

She smiled. She would rule both kingdoms. And she would command Lady Cynzia to lift the curse from Malveaux so that the sun might shine on her homeland once again.

And if Lady Cynzia wasn't alive… Anyka exhaled, her mind whirling with ideas. She shrugged off anything that required political maneuvering and endless talks. What was the point of that when she'd had a valuable artifact stolen from her? A priceless Grym treasure ripped from her possession.

Anyka would do the same to Sparrow. Except the priceless treasure she planned on stealing was the handsome Prince James.

Surely, Sparrow would trade the grimoire for her son, wouldn't she? A book for a boy. Anyka reached up to pet Galwyn. He trilled as she scratched his breast.

And if Sparrow wasn't willing to make that trade, Anyka would have no choice but to refuse to return Prince James. Terrible, the things that might befall such a captive.

With a smile, Anyka rose to her feet, lifted Galwyn to her shoulder, and strode inside. She had breakfast to dress for and a kingdom to protect. She would show all of them that she was strong and unafraid, no matter what offenses were committed against her.

If Sparrow expected Anyka to cower in her suite, she was very, very wrong.

Jenny, her lady's maid, awaited Anyka in her dressing room. She dipped into a deep curtsey as Anyka entered.

"I need something stately," Anyka said as she set Galwyn on the back of a chair. "But not too overdone. It is only breakfast, after all."

"Yes, my lady." Jenny rose and went to the racks to pull clothing for Anyka's approval. She presented the first to Anyka. It was a simple gown of stormy gray silk with a scooped neck, trim waist, and flowing sleeves. The hem, neckline, and edges of the sleeves were adorned with jet and garnet beads. "Your garnet slippers, along with your garnet jewelry, would be lovely with this."

Anyka nodded. "That will do." She was in no mood for endless decisions this morning.

Jenny seemed slightly surprised at her first selection being approved. She hung the garment and quickly helped Anyka into it, then gathered the rest of the accessories.

Once dressed, Anyka sat to have her hair and makeup done by her stylist. Galwyn hopped down from the back of the chair to stand in front of the mirror. Anyka smiled at him and tickled his chin. "Top and sides braided back but keep the rest of it down."

"Half warhawk?"

Anyka nodded. That was exactly the style she wanted, a version of what ancient Grym warriors had worn into battle. "Yes. And keep the makeup simple, but bold."

"Yes, your highness," the stylist replied.

The woman worked quickly, her nimble fingers plaiting Anyka's hair. She secured each braid with an onyx clip tasseled with three strands of onyx beads. The effect was stunning.

She did Anyka's makeup next, with a thickly lined eye, strong brows, and a deep red lip to match the garnets.

Jenny presented Anyka with a selection of appropriate jewelry on a black velvet tray.

Anyka chose a garnet and platinum circlet, garnet drops for her ears, and a wide platinum choker with a centerpiece of black onyx carved in the shape of a heart. She stood and had a look at herself in front of the full-length mirror. She nodded in approval and held out her hand. "Daggers."

Jenny handed them to Anyka one at a time. Two went into her belt, a third she strapped to her thigh.

With Galwyn on her shoulder, she strode out to the sitting room. Trog, who'd waited for her at the dressing room door, followed.

Her uncle, Ishmyel, was there but there was no sign of her daughter, Beatryce. He got to his feet as Anyka entered. "Good morning."

She lifted Galwyn to his perch. Wyett stood by the sideboard, preparing a cup of coffee, which he brought to Anyka. She took it. "Uncle."

"My lady niece." There was concern in his eyes as he spoke. "You look well. How are you feeling?"

Anyka sipped the coffee. "I am…resolute. I know what needs to be done and I refuse to be cowed by that thieving crossover. If she thinks she's going to get away with this, that I am going to lay down and let this be, she is very wrong."

He smiled tightly, his gaze sweeping over her. "Which is why we're going down to breakfast, and why you're dressed so beautifully."

"Yes. I don't want her to think she's bothered me in any way. In fact, I want her to be concerned with how unbothered I am."

"Not how I thought you'd react, I must say, but it's a strong tactic. One that will surprise her, I'm sure."

"Good. I don't want her to think she can predict me in any way. Where's Beatryce?"

"On her way, as is Nazyr, although he said he might be a few minutes. He was buried in a book when I called."

"I don't like waiting."

He shook his head. "We don't need to. They know how to find the dining room."

"I prefer to enter as a group."

"A show of force?"

"Something like that." Thankfully, Princess Beatryce arrived a moment later. Lystra was yet to be seen. "Wyett, where is Lystra? You sent for her?"

"I did, but it appears she has returned to Dearth."

"She did not have permission to leave." Anyka scowled. "I suppose she's saved me the trouble of dealing with her now. But I will deal with her. She failed at her task. That will not be forgotten." Annoyed, Anyka headed for the door. "Nazyr will find us."

When they entered the dining hall, Anyka took her time, nodding and lifting her hand in greeting to the Grym citizens already at their tables, and now on their feet at her arrival. But the smile on her face was a pretense. Inside, she'd begun to seethe as soon as she'd seen the Radiant royal table.

It was empty. Queen Sparrow and her entourage were nowhere to be seen.