Chapter 33

S parrow hadn't honestly expected Anyka to agree to the treaty, but she'd held out a small hope it would happen. She nodded slowly. "All right then. You've made your decision. There will be no treaty. No peace."

Anyka's smug expression made her look idiotic. "That's right. I'm not going to apologize for something I didn't do, nor will I sign any kind of treaty with Summerton. You're the one who should apologize. You stole Lady Cynzia's grimoire. That book is the property of Malveaux."

"We're at an impasse then," Ro said. Raphaela had spoken to Kieran about the attack, and he'd told her that Wickthorne had been seen in that area of the gardens before. Almost as if he was scouting the place. "I am very sorry to hear this. I had hoped for better. Especially for your citizens."

Anyka snorted. "My citizens are fine."

"Are they?" Ro asked. "I see so many of them on the Summerton side of Willow Hall looking as if they've remembered how much they love the sun. I see them eating with enthusiasm in the dining hall, tasting all the things they haven't had in years. The Grym are good people. They deserve all the same things the Radiant have."

"You don't know what you're talking about."

Ro folded her hands in her lap. "I hereby officially recognize you, Queen Anyka, as an enemy of the Kingdom of Summerton. Wickthorne will also be classified as such. Your attempt to kidnap my aunt will not be forgotten. Just like today will be marked as the day you turned your back on peace."

"I didn't turn my back on—"

"There is one more thing you should know."

Anyka sighed, looking skyward, like this was all a waste of time, something Ro was about ready to agree with. "What?"

"Lady Cynzia's diary will be destroyed as soon as we return to Summerton."

Anyka stiffened. "You cannot do that."

Ro stood, gave those with her a nod, then headed for the door.

Anyka jumped out of her chair. "I said, you cannot do that."

Ro ignored her and kept walking. There was no longer any point in talking to Anyka. Ro believed what Uldamar had told her. That Anyka had been affected by the black magic her mother had used while pregnant.

There would be no treaty. No peace. It was time to focus on safeguarding her kingdom from Anyka, while trying to help the citizens of Malveaux as best she could.

Anyka screamed and Ro heard the sound of scuffling. She turned to see Anyka, eyes blazing with anger, mouth twisted in a sneer, being held back by her uncle and her valet.

Ro shook her head as Gabriel and JT flanked her. "I feel sorry for you, Anyka. You're already lost to the darkness. Do your kingdom a favor and step down. Let Princess Beatryce take over."

" I am the queen," Anyka spat. " I am the one in power."

"And what have you done with that power?" Ro asked. "Plato said, ‘The measure of a man is what he does with power.' All you've done with your power is seek out more of it. You haven't made your kingdom better. You haven't given your citizens better lives. You've certainly done nothing for the realm. What will your legacy be? Your collection of gowns? Your fancy jewels? Or that you were the most hated ruler Malveaux's ever had?"

Anyka surged forward, shrieking in anger again. Her valet and her uncle kept her from reaching Ro. Her uncle whispered in her ear, but she shook her head and shoved him away. "This is war, Sparrow! And it's on you."

"It's been war. I just didn't want to acknowledge it because I thought I could change things. I see now that I was wrong. I admit that." Ro tipped her head, trying to see if there was any sanity left in Anyka. "I did not fully grasp how intent you are on destruction for the sake of destruction."

Anyka's eyes were wild. "Summerton killed my parents."

Ro stayed calm, keeping her voice even. "In retaliation for the murders your mother committed." She paused to take a breath. "Both actions were regrettable, but we could have moved forward. You, however, chose not to. On this day, you chose war. Remember that."

Once again, she turned and walked away. This time, she didn't stop. She wasn't a fan of confrontation. She was trembling from it, but she'd done what she'd needed to do. She'd stood up to Anyka and let it be known that Summerton was not going to roll over and give up just because of a few threats.

She went straight toward the portal, making sure everyone was walking with her. There was much to do, but first, she wanted to see how Vincent was and how her aunt and Posey were recovering.

"Holy crap, Mom," JT whispered beside her. "That was amazing. You were a total boss."

Ro exhaled. She didn't have it in her to smile as she looked at him. "You realize we're at war with Malveaux now? Unless Anyka has a sudden change of heart, which I doubt."

He shook his head. "We're not at war with anyone but Anyka. Her people like you a lot. All the ones that are here that I've spoken to, anyway. They want peace."

"You've talked to Grym here?" They all stopped as they reached the portal. Spencer moved forward to open the doors.

JT nodded. "As many as would talk to me. There have been a lot of them in the training arena." He grinned. "They come to watch me. They call me the Grym Prince."

She let out a soft, short laugh. "Is that right?"

"Yeah, and you know what else?"

"What's that?" The doors opened and Ro stepped in. The others followed. Spencer dialed the gems.

JT waited until the doors closed to answer. "I think Nazyr being my biological father might actually make the Grym like you even more. It might make them feel like…I don't know how to explain it."

Gabriel looked at them. "I do. Having your son be not only half Grym but fathered by someone of rank in Anyka's court would make a lot of Malveaux citizens feel like they're represented. The Minister of Magic is one of the few positions filled by whoever is genuinely most qualified. Nazyr was a commoner, once upon a time, unlike a lot of the other ministers, who were given their positions because of who they knew or were related to."

The doors opened and they got out, but Ro stopped them in the second-floor foyer. "I don't know how soon Anyka plans to share the news about Nazyr and JT, but let's get ahead of it. Let's make the announcement ourselves. I realize there are those in Summerton who won't like it. They'll once again question my claim to the throne, but Merediem is the definitive answer on that, so it doesn't bother me."

Spencer nodded. "It's a wise move, your highness. Take Anyka's power from her. She's already spiraling out of control because you didn't react the way she'd hoped. On several issues. Being the one to share this secret, this news that she thinks is going to cause an uproar, could be the thing that pushes her over the edge. Which might result in something bad happening, but at the same time, that could be good for you. I hope that makes sense."

"It does," Ro said. "In the words of Napoleon Bonaparte, ‘Never interrupt your enemy when he's making a mistake.'"

Spencer looked pleased. "I know who that is. Famous human military leader. French, I believe."

"That's right." Ro started walking again. "Listen, the next thing we need to do is go home. I don't want to cut anyone's vacation short, but there's no telling what Anyka might do. All of us, citizens included, need to return to Summerton. I want to leave tomorrow."

"I agree, your highness," Gabriel said. "I can send guards to spread the message."

"That works. If Posey's not up to writing some letters for me, I can do it myself, but there are several I need to send." The list of things she had to do was growing. She'd get Helana and Luena to start packing her things. Once they got themselves packed, she'd ask them to help Violet and Posey, too.

The pair of guards at the door of the royal apartment bowed.

"Any trouble?" Gabriel asked.

"No, sir," the eldest answered. "All quiet."

Gabriel opened the door for Ro. "I'll go check on Vincent. Unless you need me for anything, your highness?"

"No, go do that, please."

With a nod, he was gone.

"Uldamar, if I could have a word with you before you go. Spencer, thank you for coming. If you want to let your wife know what's going on, I'd appreciate it. I'm sure she'd like to start packing."

"Yes, absolutely." He bowed. "Thank you for including me." He hesitated. "I am proud to have such a person as yourself as my queen."

She smiled. "Thank you." As he left, she went inside, Uldamar, JT, and Raphaela accompanying her.

She led them to the sitting room but didn't sit. "JT, Raphaela, do whatever you need to do to be ready to leave. I want to get back to Castle Clarion as soon as possible. If that means leaving some of the guards behind to escort the remaining citizens, that's what we'll do."

Raphaela nodded. "I can spread the word to the billeted guards, your highness. Make sure they're packed and ready to go as soon as possible."

"That's fine with me, but maybe check in with your dad before you do that, since he may want to speak to them first."

Gabriel walked in. "Vincent is doing well. He's sore and both arms are heavily bandaged, but he was happy to hear we're soon to leave."

"I'm glad," Ro said. "Why don't you and Raphaela work on a plan to spread the word to everyone and make sure the guards know. JT and I won't go anywhere until you're back."

"Will do." He looked at his daughter. "Let's head down to the barracks and discuss things on the way."

JT hooked his thumb toward his room. "I'm going to start packing, unless…"

"No, go ahead." Ro finally sat and gestured for Uldamar to join her. Once he was seated, she spoke. "I want everything in place to lift the curse from Malveaux as quickly as you can once we return."

He gave her a hesitant look. "Are you not concerned that Anyka will take credit?"

"No, because I'm going to make sure the Malveauxians know I'm responsible."

"May I ask how?"

She smiled. "Nothing fancy. Along with the spelled material that you're going to provide, I'm going to send a short letter to the citizens."

His eyes filled with more questions.

"Don't worry. I'll take care of the how. You just work on your part."

"You have my word, my lady. It will be done within a day of our return."

"Excellent news. Now, I need to check on my aunt, Posey, and my cats."

He got to his feet. "I will be packed within the hour."

She went to check in on Violet. She found her aunt in her bedroom, reading. "Hey. How are you doing?"

"I'm fine," Violet said. "A little sore, but nothing I can't manage. Any word on Vincent?"

"Much like you, he's sore but doing well. I have some news." Ro stepped into the room.

"Oh?" Violet closed the book.

"We're going home."

Aunt Vi sucked in a breath. "That's wonderful! Or is it? I take it the meeting with Queen Anyka did not go well."

Ro snorted. "That's an understatement." She gave her aunt the details. "So, we have work to do. Not just in getting ready to leave but in making sure everyone is safe."

"We're at war," Violet said quietly.

"Unfortunately, that's how we have to approach this. If she had you attacked, there's no telling what she'll do next. Do you think Posey would be up for writing a few letters?"

"I'm sure." Violet got to her feet. "I'll go across the hall and get her, if you'd like."

"I would. Thank you. And while you do that, I'm going to check on the cats, and then get Helana and Luena to start packing my things. They can probably help you and Posey when they're through."

Violet waved the idea away. "Posey and I will help each other. We'll be fine. You go see to Wiggy and Benny and I'll be right back with her."

Ro found Wiggy in JT's room, which was no surprise. She was laying on his bed, watching him pack. As Ro stood there, Wiggy pushed a pile of JT's socks onto the floor. Ever the cat in human form. "Wiggy." Ro gave the old woman a stern look. "That's not helpful."

"I'm bored," Wiggy said.

"Well, you'll be happy to know we're going home tomorrow."

Wiggy's face brightened. "Good. I have rodents to catch."

"I'd prefer it if you didn't actually catch them."

JT laughed. "She doesn't, Mom. She makes too much noise."

"I do not," Wiggy said. She shoved one of his books off the bed next.

"Wiggy!" He sighed. "Quit it, you silly thing."

Ro just shook her head. "I'm going to check on Benny. You two have fun."

Her cat, who was thankfully still a cat, was fast asleep on her bed. She sat next to him, stroking his fur. "Heading home tomorrow, Benny boy. Back to…well, not our usual routine, I guess. I'm going to be pretty busy for a while."

Busy defending her kingdom from whatever Anyka was going to do next. It was a slightly terrifying thought. The woman was a loose cannon and Ro would be foolish to think there wasn't going to be a next thing.

All she could do was hope that no one lost their life because of Anyka's insanity. If there was a single Summerton fatality, Ro would have no alternative but to strike back.

She'd wanted peace and prosperity for both kingdoms. To make a way for the Grym and the Radiant to be friends again. To restore trade and goodwill.

Somehow, instead, she'd ended up with war.