Chapter 36

A nyka stared out the window of the carriage, her mood as foul as the weather. As if adding insult to the injuries Queen Sparrow had inflicted, rain had been falling since before Anyka even entered the carriage.

Thunder rumbled deep and low, making Galwyn twitch his feathers inside his traveling cage.

"I know, my darling," she whispered to him. "We'll be home soon enough."

That it was a miserable day seemed fitting. The entire visit at Willow Hall had been miserable. All thanks to that wretched woman who'd somehow managed to pull that hideous enchanted sword from its stupid rock. The very idea that such magic existed was proof of how idiotic the Radiant were.

As if a sword in a stone could determine who was best to lead a kingdom. The very idea. Utter rubbish. The woman had no royal blood, no proper upbringing. She hadn't even been aware of the fae realm until the sword brought her here.

Anyka snorted in disgust.

Ishmyel glanced over, brows slightly raised.

Nazyr looked up from his book. "Did you say something, my lady?"

"No." She sighed. At least it was quiet in the carriage with just her, Nazyr, and Ishmyel. She could only imagine what Beatryce was doing. Had she even realized they were gone?

Anyka fed Galwyn a sliver of dried venison as her thoughts turned to Hawke. She hoped the traveling was not too hard on him.

Hawke was in his own carriage with Clary and Dr. Lockhart, just in case he needed tending to. He had been better this morning, awake and able to be on his own two feet. He still had days of healing ahead of him, but she was deeply grateful to Nazyr for what he'd done.

She pondered what she might do for the wizard as a way of showing her gratitude. She was sure money would be appreciated, but he was paid quite handsomely already. Perhaps a feast in his honor? She could hold it when the troll delegation arrived. Perhaps treat him as the guest of honor.

She leaned back, resting her head against the cushions. She imagined the trolls might not be pleased to be redirected to Castle Hayze, but it couldn't be helped. They should be happy about it. The change in plans would shorten their travel time. Couldn't be helped. If need be, she'd explain things in more detail when they arrived.

Regardless of how they felt, everything would be made right when she announced her plans to betroth Princess Beatryce to their most eligible bachelor. The last Anyka had heard, the troll king's second son, Dren, was unattached. If that was true, he would do nicely.

And if Beatryce was still at Willow Hall when the trolls arrived, arranging the betrothal would be that much easier with her absent. That arrogant, difficult young woman would soon learn that duty came first. She'd had her fun at Willow Hall, mingled with the commoners, indulged in their pursuits. It was high time she returned to what mattered.

Anyka didn't like that Wyett had volunteered to stay behind and bring Beatryce home. He was Anyka's valet. She needed him. Although if anyone could get Beatryce to return home, it was Wyett. Perhaps Chyles could be a useful substitute until Wyett was back. She'd told Wyett that if Bea didn't change her mind about leaving within a day or two, he was authorized to put sleeping powder in her drink and bring her home that way.

Enough was enough. Anyka didn't need a wayward adult child to tend to. She had a kingdom to run. And a war to prepare for.

Provisions had to be made. The more thought she'd given it, the more she'd realized that Sparrow's words about destroying Lady Cynzia's grimoire were yet another ploy. They had to be. No one could be so ignorant as to obliterate a book of such value.

Anyka suspected that the book would not be damaged at all, but that Sparrow was going to find a way, or rather her wizard was, to use the spells in that book against her. Against Malveaux.

Perhaps the wizard was already working on that. After all, the book had not been in the vaults as Sparrow had claimed.

It made sense. It's what Anyka would have done. If she'd had the book that rightfully belonged to her anyway. She frowned just thinking about the injustice of it all.

Now she was at the mercy of Nazyr and Grylan, hoping they could find something that would either protect her and Malveaux, or give her a powerful weapon to counteract whatever the Radiant might use against her.

The book Nazyr was reading now was a grimoire, undoubtedly not as powerful as Lady Cynzia's. What could measure up to that? The book in his hands looked promising, though. It was clearly old, the cover worn, the gilding flaking off in spots. That was a promising sign, wasn't it?

She peered at it. "What is that you're studying?"

He smiled. "A little something I helped myself to from the Willow Hall magic library."

She smiled back. "Is that so? Anything useful in it?"

"A few interesting things. Granted, it's not Lady Cynzia's level of work, but then, what could live up to that?"

"My thoughts exactly."

Ishmyel closed his own book and peered closer. The carriage bumped over rocky ground, jostling them. "What kind of interesting things?"

Nazyr hesitated. "I'm not sure any of it's worth sharing yet, but I can tell you that my first concern is Queen Anyka's safety, so I'm searching for a powerful spell of protection that I can manipulate." He looked at her. "I'm thinking I can modify that amulet I made for you, the one to help you find Lady Cynzia's book—you do still have it, don't you?"

"I do. It's packed with my jewelry, but it's there."

"Good. I believe I can use that to create a sort of field of protection around you, your highness. Something that would negate any dark magic used against you."

She didn't love the amulet. It was not the most attractive thing, that was for certain. But if it kept her safe, so be it. "Will you need it?"

"Yes, at least for a day or so."

"I'll make sure it's delivered to you as soon as it's unpacked."

"What else?" Ishmyel asked. "What about Malveaux? What about the rest of us living at the castle? Those of us serving the queen? What will protect us?"

Himself, he meant. Anyka cut her eyes at him, but said nothing, letting Nazyr answer.

"Grylan and I are hoping to develop something that will shield all of Malveaux from danger. That will take a little more time, and a great deal more materials, as I'm sure you can understand."

Ishmyel nodded as if he did. Anyka doubted it. His skills did not lay in the magical arts.

Nazyr went on. "Ideally, I would love to cast something that would encompass our borders, but that would require traveling the border and laying the spell along it." He shook his head. "The time and energy that would take would not be insignificant."

"Maybe Grylan could do it," Anyka suggested. "Or someone else gifted in magic? As long as you taught them what to do, might that work?"

Nazyr nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, possibly. A valuable suggestion, your highness."

"Thank you. Now, what about striking back at Summerton?" Anyka asked. "I'm sure they will attack us. I don't know how, but it's only a matter of time."

"I don't know," Ishmyel said. "Queen Sparrow doesn't seem the type to hit first."

"Then you're not paying attention. Don't forget," Anyka said. "She blames me for the attack on her aunt. And for hiring that tracker who shot at her."

"Well…" Ishmyel looked at her. "You are to blame for both of those things."

She frowned in his direction. "Hawke orchestrated the attack on Sparrow's aunt and Wyett hired the tracker."

"Under your orders," Ishmyel added.

She waved her hand at him. "I ordered breakfast this morning, which you ate. Am I to blame if the food suddenly makes you sick?"

His mouth firmed into a hard line. He opened his book again. "I just don't think she'll strike first."

"Well, let's hope you're right, uncle dear. Because we aren't prepared for that. Not if her wizard has the kind of power we think he does." Anyka hated to utter those words, but they were the truth.

"We have archers," Ishmyel said without taking his eyes off the page he was reading.

"That we do, but the last I saw, no archer could fire an arrow far enough to reach across the Whistling Sea, nor could they defend us against magic. If enough Radiant swarm the Brightwater Bridge, they could gain access to Malveaux that way."

"It would be a suicide mission," Ishmyel said. "I doubt they would want to lose that many guards." He sighed. "Sparrow might have a powerful wizard, but is he powerful enough to cast a spell that can go where an arrow cannot? Even your lady mother had to send someone into Castle Clarion to plant her poison."

Anyka glared at him. Why wasn't he taking this seriously? "You heard him, Nazyr. My uncle doesn't seem to think there's a threat. You don't need to include him in any sort of protection spell you might come up with."

Ishmyel put his book down. "My dear niece, I am merely saying that there is little chance Sparrow will do anything. And if she does, it won't be right away. She has to travel home exactly as we are doing. There is very little magic that can be done in this kind of situation. Isn't that so, Nazyr?"

Nazyr looked up, gaze shifting from Ishmyel to Anyka and back again. "I suppose it would depend on what kind of magic it was and the skill of the wizard, but it wouldn't be convenient, that's for sure."

"See?" Ishmyel returned to his book.

Anyka thought about shoving her uncle out of the carriage but that would only delay their arrival home. For that purpose, she let him stay. "Your lack of concern is alarming."

He turned the page. "I am only trying to be practical and to spare you from stress you do not need."

"You're causing me more stress. Not less."

He glanced at her, his gaze softening in a way that looked like pity. She hated pity. "I truly apologize. I know how hard this trip has been for you. The disappointments you've faced. The frustrations Beatryce has put you through. I just hate to see you upset. I do not mean to add to that."

She believed him. At least she wanted to. She gave a little nod. "Thank you. It has been hard. I feel so alone at times."

Ishmyel slid his hand across the cushion toward her. "My darling girl. You are not alone. I know I cannot take the place of your dear departed parents, nor would I try, but if there is anything I can do to assist you, just tell me."

He was right. He would never take her parents' place, but she was mostly glad for his presence. "You can start by taking the Radiant threat seriously."

He nodded. "I will. Again, I am sorry. What can I do to help?"

"That's just it." She stared out the window again. "I don't know. We've never been at war before. It's daunting."

"It is. Perhaps I could organize things on the civilian side? Make sure the kingdom's food storage is at full capacity? Speak to the mayors about what could be coming? Reach out to the villages near the coast to let them know they must be vigilant?"

Surprised by his sudden turn, she nodded. "Yes, all those things would be helpful."

"I will take care of them. Assuming I have your authority to do so? I wouldn't want to overstep my bounds."

"You have my authority." After a moment, she added. "Thank you."

"Is there anything else?"

"You can release Minister Kilwin from his position as head of defense. He is in no shape to lead the guards in a time of war. Once that is done, I will promote Hawke. Even injured, he is a better choice."

Ishmyel nodded. "You'll need a new Vice-Minister."

"True, I will. If you have suggestions, I will entertain them. I'm sure Hawke might have a few ideas as well."

"Then if you like, I will sit with him and together we will find a few citizens for you to choose from."

"Good," Anyka said. And she meant it. The tightness around her heart eased. She exhaled. She may not have experience leading a kingdom through war, but neither did Sparrow.

Malveaux would not go down without a fight. And if Anyka had her way, Malveaux would not go down at all.