Page 90 of Fearless

“Benevolence, really?” She scoffs. “I’m not sure I live by that myself.”

“Then accept mine,” I say quickly. “As a gesture of good faith, I’ve brought roses for you and your kingdom to use. I hope the many healing properties they possess are enough incentive for you to welcome us.”

Her eyes narrow in a scrutinizing sort of way. “They are a gift from your king?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Zailah’s voice is a soothing sound. “And you know nothing else of it?”

“No,” I answer evenly.

“Hmm.” She sits back, looking oddly comfortable in her throne of bones. “All I have heard, Paedyn Gray, is a cry for help. Ilya only opens its borders when in need of something. Only allows usOrdinaries—as you say—into the land when there is no other alternative. And you speak on behalf of a king who—”

“I do not speak for Kitt Azer.” My voice rings out over the queen’s, drawing a hushed gasp from the court. “I speak for myself. For the powerless who deserve to live within Ilya. Not a king.”

My echoing voice fades from the throne room, leaving only a stifling silence. I lift my chin and force my gaze to remain on the queen I so blatantly interrupted. But I can’t afford to show remorse now. No, I must stand here and exude a strength I don’t currently feel.

Zailah lets the tension stew between us. Then, another biting smile. “Still, I do not welcome Ilya.”

My breath catches, hope sputtering out in my chest—

“But I welcome the fact that you need me. The powerful, arrogant Ilya—brought to its knees.”

My gaze lifts in time to watch the next words fall from her lips. “Hear this, child. Ilya has done nothing for my kingdom. We have been shut out and cut off from your coveted resources for three decades now. I have no desire to help Ilya out of whatever goodness remains in my heart. But you…” Her red lips twitch. “You remind me of myself. Soyouthful. So determined. I only hope that drive doesn’t darken you.”

Her words hit a nerve, forcing me to fight off my flinch. Because I know what darkness she speaks of, feel it festering in the gaping hole of my heart where Adena once lived. And for the sake of her memory, her goodness, I shove it down.

The navy dress hugging Zailah’s curvy form flashes as she shifts in the throne of bones. She lifts a hand, inspecting her sharp nails. “So, for you, I will attempt benevolence. For Ilya, I will attempt mercy.”

Relief floods through me. “Thank you, Your Majesty. Your generosity will not go unnoticed.”

“No, I would hope not,” she says airily. “Now, tell me, how did an Ilyan ship survive my Shallows?”

Her obvious possession of the sea has me pausing long enough for Captain Torri to speak. “Well, Your Majesty”—he steps onto the blue carpet, snatching the hat off his head before sweeping into a bow—“I managed to captain theReckoningacross the treacherous sea. It was no simple task, but I am also no stranger to the water—”

The queen raises a silencing hand. “So, I take it that you didn’t encounter the beast?”

“Uh…,” Torri stutters. “Well, no, but—”

“Then you have survived nothing at all,” she states simply. “You may gloat only after you meet such a beautiful creature. And live to tell the tale.”

Torri opens his mouth, shuts it, and steps back beside Kai. Zailah smiles at this. “I’ll allow you three days to piece back together what is left of your ship. Rooms will be arranged within the castle for Paedyn alone.” She waves a dismissive hand. “The rest of you may sleep on your leaking boat. That is the extent of my generosity.”

I offer a bow of my head, if only to hide the grin spreading across my face. “Again, thank you, Your Majesty.”

“Yes, yes, I’m magnificent.” Her eyes slide hesitantly to the captain of her guard, allowing me to study her fully. She seems to glow with beauty, making it hard to look away. Her features are a contradiction of young and old, sharp and soft. Everything about her is a mystery, right down to the age she embodies.

“Adyn,” she calls, even as those green eyes fall back on me. When her captain appears beside me, I realize that the shouted name belongs to him. He folds stiff arms behind his back, locking his brown gaze on the dais’s floor.

“Escort Paedyn to her rooms,” the queen orders. “And ensure the others make it back to their ship.”

Adyn nods, his eyes flicking up momentarily. “Happily, Your Majesty.”

CHAPTER 32Kai

Rough bark tears at my sweating palms.

I cling to the tree trunk, feeling my feet sway atop the thin branch beneath me. Extending my free arm, I rap my knuckles against the window beside me.

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