Chapter 38

F rowning, Anyka watched from an upper window as Beatryce departed the carriage she'd arrived in. It was nearly dusk. She had waited until the last possible moment to return. Wyett glanced up at Anyka, giving her a look that said the trip had not been pleasant.

Anyka didn't doubt that for a moment. Galwyn sat on her shoulder. She petted his throat with one finger. "Wretched child."

Footmen approached the carriage, but Beatryce had no trunks, as Anyka had brought them all back with her. Something Bea would certainly need to vent about.

Anyka braced herself for the coming barrage and turned away from the window, preparing to go downstairs, then stopped. Why should she go to Beatryce? No, that was not the way. Beatryce should to come to Anyka. Her frown deepened. Beatryce probably wouldn't, though, would she.

She was too stubborn, too proud, too angry.

And yet, Beatryce had to know in her heart of hearts that she was in the wrong. She'd disobeyed her mother's orders, and she knew better. She'd been raised to understand the supreme authority of the throne. The importance of allegiance to not only her mother, but the leader of the kingdom. She had to respect it, because it was a position she would one day hold.

She would come to Anyka and apologize. It was only a matter of when. Anyka could wait. Until that happened, she would ignore her daughter, as was right. Anyka had bigger issues to deal with than a sullen adult child.

She turned in the other direction and went toward the suite that had been set up for Hawke's care. She'd wanted him near so that she could make sure he was being cared for properly and…for other reasons.

She would admit to herself that she had developed some feelings for him. He would never replace Sebastyan, no man could, but Hawke was loyal, obedient, and fearless in a way that was also reckless. He would get himself into trouble someday, she felt certain of that.

But as long as it was just himself and nothing that would blow back on her, she was fine with it.

She knocked on his door.

Clary opened it and curtseyed. "My lady, good evening."

Anyka stepped into the sitting room. A small fire crackled behind the screen, just enough to take the hint of chill from the room. "How is he?"

Hawke came out of the bedroom. "He's fine." He smiled, bowing toward her. "You honor me with your visit."

Anyka smiled. "I had to see how my Minister of Defense was."

Hawke's brows rose. "Does that mean—"

"It does. Kilwin has been released. It was high time he retired anyway." Anyka frowned. "Hasn't my uncle been to see you? He was supposed to talk to you about your suggestions for a Vice-Minister."

Hawke nodded. "He was and he did, but I didn't know it was all official yet."

"Now you do. Are you feeling up to a little fresh air?"

"Very much. I would love to get out of this room. No offense, your highness. The accommodations are first rate, and I am grateful you saw to my needs, but I have been inside far too much lately."

"I understand."

"Not sure I'm quite up for a ride, though. And it's nearly dark. What did you have in mind?"

"A stroll in the gardens?"

"That I can do."

"Very good."

They left the palace, Galwyn on her shoulder. He chirped as they walked past the topiary ravens and entered the garden. A tall border of boxwoods surrounded the first segment, hiding it from view. Once they were through that, and away from the eyes of her staff and guards, Anyka took Hawke's arm. "I am pleased you have recovered so well. If you hadn't, I…am not sure what I would have done."

"Don't even think about it. I am fine. Soon, I will be completely myself again. I am nearly there now."

She nodded, swallowing at the odd knot in her throat. "As you know, things between us and Summerton have become untenable."

"Indeed. I have been kept abreast of the situation, your highness."

Light left the sky, turning it purple at the horizon. The clouds began to drift away, revealing the stars, and the garden came to life. Galwyn side-stepped, back and forth, back and forth, along her shoulder. He loved the garden. "Beatryce has finally returned, so there are no longer any reins on my actions."

"What would you have me do? Just say the word and I will make it happen."

All around them, luminescent, night-blooming flowers opened their petals and the garden began to take on a subtle glow. The phosphorescent moss on the trees, the little white starflowers that grew on the ground cover, even the lichen on the rocks. Sweet perfume drifted in the air. "I know you will, and that knowledge alone gives me strength, but Nazyr and Grylan are still working on completing the protection spell for the kingdom."

She touched the chain her newly-enchanted amulet hung on. "They promise me they will have it soon."

Hawke scowled. "They mean to cover the entire kingdom with one spell? How is that possible?

"They do, and it's possible because they're sending riders out with the necessary materials to ward our borders." A familiar, low thrum reached her ears. The waterfall. Galwyn was almost dancing now. The pond he loved was just up ahead.

"Respectfully, my lady, that will take days."

"Another two or three, I'm sure."

"Too long."

"I agree." She shook her head as Galwyn trilled with excitement. "I don't like it, either, but Nazyr assures me it's the best way to protect Malveaux."

"Then what? Then we strike? What happens next after we're protected?"

She took her hand from his arm to point to the bench near the pond. "Let's sit and we'll talk further." She took a seat, then put her hand up for Galwyn, who hopped onto it. She set him on the ground. He went straight to the water and flat rock she'd set in the shallows for him.

Just below the water's surface, the electric arakoo darted past. Every so often, a tiny spark would crackle over one of them, illuminating the fish as if it had been struck by a flash of lightning.

Hawke settled in beside her. "I've never been in this garden before. It's beautiful. Quite a tribute to whoever designed it. Was that you, my lady?"

She smiled. "I've had my hand in a few areas, but this was mostly my mother's doing. She grew a lot of these things to use in her potions and spells."

"You don't seem to have taken after her in that way. Or perhaps I'm wrong and it's something you do privately?"

"I…dabble. But I am not as gifted as my mother, unfortunately." Something whushed overhead. An owl or some other nocturnal bird of prey. She glanced at Galwyn, but he was guzzling water with no apparent concern, so she ignored the sound as well.

"You have a great many other talents." Hawke smiled. "I have seen your mother's royal portrait. You may not share her skills with potions, but you have her beauty, and then some."

She laughed softly. "You have already earned my favor, Hawke. Your flattery is wasted."

"Is it still flattery to speak the truth? Tell me what I can do to serve you. I am healed enough to lead your army into battle. Just tell me when and where."

She put her hand on his arm. He was an exceptionally handsome man who had proven his loyalty many times over. He was healed enough to command her guards, but was he well enough to take to her bed? She wasn't sure. And the kingdom needed him more than her bed needed to be warmed. "I believe the Radiant will come to us."

"You do?"

"Yes. They are arrogant and overly confident. Also, Queen Sparrow is a novice. She knows nothing of being queen, let alone leading a kingdom into war. She will make a mistake. Soon. The moment that happens, we strike."

He nodded. "I see."

"Then you must also realize I cannot know what that mistake will be, so I cannot tell you what I need from you. Only when that error occurs will our next move be clear."

"My lady, have you asked your Royal Seer? What Queen Sparrow's next move would be, I mean?"

"I did." Anyka sighed. "I think Zephynia's mind is going. She told me that I would know what I needed to know when the sun shone on Malveaux again."

Hawke snorted. "Are you sure she wasn't drunk?"

Anyka laughed. "No, I'm not. Perhaps that's what caused her to say such nonsense."

A big splash got her attention. She turned in time to see a salamander slide down Galwyn's throat.

Another whushing sound followed. Then another. She looked up, frowning. "What is that noise?"

Hawke shook his head. "Bats?"

"I don't think so. They're much faster. Whatever this is isn't moving at that speed." Her hand went to the amulet.

A dark shadow passed overhead, blotting out the stars for a long moment. The shape of it was…odd. Predatory. But far too large to be a bird. A little chill went through her, followed by a surge of fear. "We need to go in. Now ."

She scooped Galwyn up and, without waiting for Hawke, ducked her head and ran for the castle. Hawke followed. Soon they were inside, but she kept going up the stairs until she was on the main balcony that overlooked the village of Dearth.

The sky was clear with plenty of stars, a typical evening in Malveaux. Down below, lanterns and magical lights brought the village to life with a warm glow. Farther out, the sea was faintly visible, the hint of salt in the air when the breeze shifted.

Over all of it swooped the same dark shadows. There was dust or haze in the air, too. And something else raining down, white and glowing when it caught the light. Little slips of paper? A few landed on the balcony, curling in the dampness like leaves. She clutched Hawke's arm. "Get one of those for me."

"Yes, my lady." He ran and grabbed one, bringing it to her.

She took it, but it was too dark outside to read what was written. She stepped back into the castle. "Lights," she called out. The corridor came to life with the soft glow of magic.

She unfurled the paper and read out loud, "Citizens of Malveaux, have no fear. The kingdom of Summerton means you no harm. We want peace with you. We want to return to the days when our kingdoms were friends. You will see the proof of this at dawn. With great affection, Queen Sparrow Meadowcroft."

Anyka glared at the letter. "How dare she. Does she think this will work? That she can sway the hearts of my people with her lies? What is she going to do at dawn? Attack? I don't understand."

"It's just another trick," Hawke said. "Nothing will happen at dawn."

In the distance, a bobbing light streaked toward the castle. Anyka went to the railing and looked down. "There's a messenger coming."

Hawke accompanied her back inside. In a few short minutes, Chyles ran up the steps. He came straight toward Anyka as soon as he saw her. "There was a messenger, your highness. Have you seen what's going on?"

"Yes, but I don't know what it is. Some kind of magic?"

"Not exactly. A flight of Wyvern." He held out his hand, one of the slips of paper in it. "They're dropping these notes all over the kingdom. As far as can be seen, anyway. The messenger gave it to me."

"Wyvern?" Sparrow had gone to the cloud kingdom. She'd supposedly spoken with the hill people. Was this really her doing? Nothing else made sense. "Does anyone know what the note means?"

"No, your highness. Not that I've heard." He swallowed and glanced toward the windows. "I suppose we'll find out at dawn."