Chapter 32

G own finally hemmed, a crown of black gold and rubies resting on her brow, Anyka arrived at the Blue Hall well before it was time to meet. She'd wanted to make sure she had the most advantageous seat, which took some rearranging of the furniture by Wyett and Trog. Now, there were two large armchairs across from one another with a couch beside each one.

There was a slight difference in the armchairs. The one Anyka would be sitting in was larger.

She thought arriving early and positioning the room to her satisfaction might help her calm down, but her nerves were still on edge. Hawke had come through the surgery, but he was unconscious and deeply medicated. Dr. Lockhart had made no promises, only telling her that Hawke needed time, that it was up to his body now.

Ishmyel, Wyatt, and Trog were with her, but she felt very much on her own. Beatryce was…Anyka didn't actually know where Bea was. Probably learning to weave baskets or some such.

Anyka was leaning more and more toward the idea of marrying Bea off to a troll, if there was one who was reasonably acceptable. It would cement the treaty and give Malveaux an unbreakable alliance, something that would be important as what felt like inevitable war loomed on the horizon.

The door to the Blue Hall opened.

She spun, expecting Queen Sparrow, but instead saw a thin, tired man in a deep gray robe embroidered with magical symbols, a walking stick supporting his weight as he entered. "Nazyr. You came."

He nodded at her, pale and drawn, but looking better than he had earlier. "I should have asked, your highness, but I didn't and now I am here. If you don't want me—"

"Sit, please." She managed a smile, despite her stomach's twisting and turning. "I am glad for your presence. Are you well enough to be here?"

"I will be fine." He sat on the same couch as Ishmyel, giving the man a nod. "It is more important that I show my support than lay in bed. There will be plenty of time for that later."

She touched his arm lightly. "Thank you." She would not forget this. "Have you thought of anything concerning what we spoke about?"

He nodded. "I have. I can't promise it's a good ploy, but—"

"What is it?" She was in no mood for hesitation.

"My siring of her son, that information, could be used to manipulate Queen Sparrow, I believe. All you would have to do is threaten to share it with her citizens. I doubt it's something she'd want widely known. Can you imagine if the Summerton citizens learned that their next king was not only half Grym, but the son of your Minister of Magic?"

Anyka nodded happily. "That would not be well received."

"No, I don't think it would. In exchange for your silence, she will give you some concession. I feel certain of it."

"Well done, Nazyr." He had come through for her. Again. If this worked, she would find a way to reward him. Would it be enough to get Lady Cynzia's grimoire returned? Anyka had her doubts, but she had the threat of war for that.

Several minutes ticked by before the door opened again. This time, a Summerton guard entered. "Her royal highness, Queen Sparrow."

He stepped aside and Sparrow came in, wearing a military-style jacket with leggings and boots. Two daggers hung from her belt, two more protruded from each boot. A crown of platinum, diamonds, and trillianites, larger and more resplendent than the one Anyka wore, rested on her head.

Following her was Prince James and his guard, then the traitorous Nightborne, the wizard, Darkstone, and a man she didn't recognize, along with two more royal guards.

Sparrow had come with more people than expected. Anyka chose to believe this was because the Summerton queen was afraid of her. As she should be , Anyka thought.

Sparrow nodded as she walked into the room. "Queen Anyka. I'm sure you know First Professor of Palace Security Lord Gabriel Nightborne as well as First Professor of Magic Uldamar Darkstone, but you may not have yet been introduced to First Professor of History Spencer Cloudtree."

Anyka smirked. What good was a man of history going to do Sparrow? Anyka barely restrained a laugh. The Summerton Queen was ill-equipped for the crown, that much was plain. Anyka gestured toward the two men sitting on her side of the room. "My uncle and advisor to the crown, Ishmyel Blackbryar, and the Minister of Magic, Nazyr Marwood."

"Gentlemen." Sparrow sat in the smaller armchair. If she noticed the size difference, Anyka couldn't tell. Nightborne carried another chair over and set it next to Sparrow's. Prince James took that seat, then Nightborne sat closest to her on the long couch. He was joined by the wizard and the history man. The guards stood behind them.

Anyka, who'd remained standing, finally sat, already dreading what was to come. She reminded herself that she'd asked for this meeting. "Thank you for coming. I wasn't sure you would."

"I probably shouldn't have come but I decided to give you one last chance," Sparrow said. "I want to be very clear that that's what this is. Your last chance as the ruler of Malveaux to make peace with Summerton."

Anyka was taken aback by Sparrow's words. She hadn't expected them. She hadn't even been able to give her opening statement. " My last chance?"

Sparrow's gaze held a level of vitriol Anyka hadn't seen before. "Did I stutter? After the attack on my aunt and my secretary earlier today, my patience with you is nearly gone. Was that clear or would you like me to say it again?"

Anyka stared at the woman opposite her. Where was the smiling queen who liked to make small talk? The woman who'd been touting peace since she'd ascended the throne? "I-I had nothing to do with that attack."

"You had everything to do with it. You allowed it. The man who perpetrated it, Hawke Wickthorne, the man who attempted to kidnap my aunt, is your Vice-Minister of Defense, is he not?"

"He is, but—"

"And if you didn't know about it, you surely do now. So how have you punished Wickthorne? Because if I had someone in my employ who, unbeknownst to me, tried to start a war with a neighboring kingdom, I'd show no mercy in dealing with them."

"No, of course—"

"The way I see it, attacking my aunt is like attacking me. You've attacked me , Anyka. You can imagine how I must feel, can't you?"

"I didn't—"

"There's really only one way forward." Sparrow rested her arms on the chair as casually as if she was watching a play. She paused to adjust a bracelet of small crystal shards on her wrist. "You will apologize, then we will sign a peace treaty, and we will both abide by the terms of that treaty. Any questions?"

Anyka felt like she'd been run over by a warhorse. She'd barely spoken, and yet Sparrow was moving straight to a treaty. Anyka took a few breaths and tried to understand what had just happened. Maybe she was being offered more than she realized. "What does Malveaux get in exchange for this treaty?"

"Peace. That's why it's called a peace treaty."

Nightborne pursed his mouth like he was trying not to laugh. The nerve.

Anyka frowned. "I meant, what do I get in exchange for this treaty?"

Sparrow's brows lifted and she blinked. "Is peace not enough? This agreement will make trade between our kingdoms possible once again. I'm sure your citizens will enjoy that. It should make you fairly popular."

Anyka had gotten her answer. It wasn't what she wanted. She didn't care about popularity. "And what of Lady Cynzia's book? It belongs to the kingdom of Malveaux."

Sparrow sighed deeply. Almost as if she was bored. "That book is rife with dark, dangerous magic. It is best kept safe. In the interests of both kingdoms, no one should possess it."

"That is not your judgment to make," Anyka spat.

"It absolutely is," Sparrow returned. "Because the protection of my kingdom comes first. What are my reassurances that you or your Minister of Magic wouldn't use that book against me and my people?"

" Your people." Anyka scoffed. "You've barely warmed the seat of that throne."

"How long I've been queen has nothing to do with what's right for Summerton, but I'll remind you that the ancient magic of Summerton placed me on that throne. Proof right there that magic has consequences. Some good. Some not so good." Sparrow shook her head. "The book will not be returned."

Anyka pounded her fist on the arm of her chair. "It belongs to Malveaux."

"The people of Malveaux sent Lady Cynzia to Tenebrae for the use of the magic that's in that book. If that's not enough evidence for you that the book is dangerous, there's very little chance anything I say is going to convince you."

Anyka's body twitched with anger. "She was Grym. From Malveaux. The book is mine."

"Will you sign the treaty or not?"

Fury boiled up inside Anyka like hot steam inside a kettle. "I want the book back or—"

"Why? What magic is in that book that you want so badly? Do you think there's some spell in there that will show you the way to conquer Summerton or overthrow me?" Sparrow looked at her wizard. "Is there anything like that in the book? Any kind of magic that might be weaponized against the kingdom or me?"

Slowly, he nodded. "Most definitely. I saw several examples. It is extremely treacherous."

Anyka's jaw unhinged. "You saw… You've read the book? You've…opened it?"

"I have," the wizard answered. "I must tell you that unless a person is exceptionally strong-willed and well-versed in the way to protect themselves against such power, the magic in that book would dominate them. It would take their soul. You don't want that book, your highness. It would destroy you."

"Don't tell me what I want and don't want," Anyka shot back with more rage than she actually felt. She was too stunned to find out the wizard had opened the grimoire and yet, he appeared to be unscathed. How powerful was he?

For a moment, she questioned what she was doing and who she was up against. Despite Nazyr and Ishmyel sitting only feet away, she felt more alone than ever. She'd tried contacting her mother and all that had done was cause more problems.

Then she remembered that she had a card not yet played. "Give me Lady Cynzia's grimoire or, Queen Sparrow, I will tell your citizens your dark secret."

Sparrow's brows bent and her eyes shone with amusement. "I have no dark secret."

"No?" Anyka was pleased with how light her tone was. "Not even that Malveaux's Minister of Magic is the father of your son?"

The reactions among the Radiant were less spectacular than she'd hoped, but they had reacted.

Sparrow barely moved. She didn't even look at Nazyr. Merely rolled her eyes as if Nazyr's involvement meant nothing. Then she had the audacity to smile. Not much of one, but it was there all the same. "That is neither dark nor a secret, it is merely something that happened. Do what you need to do, Anyka. If you're prepared for the fallout, then so am I."

"Fallout?" Anyka shook her head. "What do you mean? Speak plainly."

"Sorry. Mortal realm term for repercussions. I'm just saying that if you don't mind your people wondering where Nazyr's true loyalties lie, then…" She shrugged.

"My people won't think that."

"Good for you then." Sparrow shifted lazily. "Are you going to apologize and sign this treaty agreement?"

Anyka paused almost like she was considering it. In truth, she just wanted to give Sparrow false hope. Finally, she shook her head. "No."