Page 69 of The Twisted Throne

For the next few hours,Ahnna celebrated with her companions. Concerns and conflicts were forgotten as they toasted the arrival of her niece, and when she finally left Jor’s room, her head was buzzing with happiness. With her guards in tow, she headed to her rooms, the skirts swishing around her ankles not irritating her quite as much as they had. The world not seeming quite as dark.

“Ahnna!”

Edward’s voice caught her attention as she reached the top of the stairs, and she turned to see the king of Harendell jogging down the carpeted hallway toward her, a letter in his hand.

“Your brother wrote to me of his good news,” Edward said, waving the page. “Congratulations! What a joy for Ithicana.”

“Thank you, Your Grace,” she said, and when he gave her a dour glare, she amended with, “Eddie.”

“Might I add to the good news of the day?” He linked arms with her, and they walked onward. “As it so happened, the dean of Briarcliff Conservatory was in Verwyrd to discuss the needs we will have for the wedding. He would be delighted to accept your cousin into the conservatory as the first Ithicanian student. Was thrilled by the notion, if I’m being honest.”

“Even though he hasn’t heard Taryn sing?”

Edward laughed. “Well, he was hardly going to say no to the king, now, was he? Of course he trusts my judgment, as I trust yours. It will all go marvelously. It is still your wish that Bronwyn accompanies her?”

“Yes,” Ahnna said, because while the thought of having no one she knew to guard her back made her nervous, Bronwyn’s obsession with Lestara made her more liability than asset.

“Is she aware of that?”

“Not yet.” Neither Taryn nor Bronwyn knew of her plans for them, and even though studying music in Harendell had been Taryn’s lifelong dream, Ahnna knew her cousin wouldn’t leave her alone without a fight. As for Bronwyn…“Bronwyn and Taryn have become quite close. I am hopeful that will cause her to see the merit of traveling with my cousin.”

If not that, guilt and emotional manipulation would have to suffice. Taryn was fragile and needed protection, and Bronwyn knew it.

“It doesn’t trouble you to be without your people? I wouldn’t fault you for being nervous, given the ordeal you endured.” Edward’s voice was light, tinged with a level of concern, but she could feel his interest in how she answered, and that made Ahnna cautious.

“It’s not ideal,” she said. “But if I am to live my life in Harendell, I must develop a trust for Harendellian guardsmen. That won’t happen if I cling to my own people. And if we are being truthful, this was always my hope for Taryn. She needs to walk a path with less violence than guarding my back will bring. Bringing peace to her life is worth some risk to me.”

“Ithicana’s loss is truly our gain,” Edward said. “You will make a worthy queen, Ahnna. It’s a shame I’ll not be alive to see it.”

Her cheeks flushed. “I hope that it will not be for many years, Eddie.”

He chuckled. “Likewise.”

Smiling, Ahnna said, “My guardsman Jor will also be returning to Ithicana, as the weather in Verwyrd has not been kind to his health. They’ll all travel together by riverboat once the conservatory is ready to accept Taryn. I’ll fund her tuition, of course.”

How, Ahnna didn’t know, but that was a problem for later.

“Nonsense! Full scholarship on account of her bringing a new nation’s worth of musical material into the conservatory. The dean would have it no other way. He is leaving himself in the morning, so perhaps they might join him on his vessel. He has a good many questions for your cousin.”

“I’m sure she’d be happy to oblige,” Ahnna said as they drew up next to her room. “I truly appreciate your efforts, Eddie.”

“It is my pleasure.” He patted her hand, then released her arm. “Now I suggest you take an afternoon of rest, young lady.” He wagged his finger at her. “Time is required for the effects of wraithroot to subside. And no more wine! It will go straight to your head.”

She nodded, feeling flushed with the pleasure of something going right for once. As Edward disappeared down the corridor, her guard Alfred opened the door to the room. “If you would wait here, my lady,” he said, stepping inside. Only to immediately step back out again, gesturing inward.

Ahnna’s instincts jangled, and she slipped her hand through the hole in the pocket of her dress, closing her fist on the hilt of her knife as she stepped inside.

To find Queen Alexandra of Harendell standing next to the window.

No part of James wantedthis conversation, but it was better for him to check on the welfare of his cousin and report back than for Cormac to send any more of his people into the Sky Palace. Where they might inadvertently run across Ahnna. Because not for a second did he believe that his uncle wouldn’t see her dead if given the opportunity. His mother’s people took oaths very seriously, but given that James was currently in violation of his own promises, Cormac enjoyed a great deal of flexibility.

The sun was low in the cloudy sky by the time he reached the top of the spiral, his shirt clinging to him with the sweat of his exertions despite the cold wind. A storm was brewing, and James instinctively searched the horizon for any sign of one of Harendell’s infamous twisters forming, though they were not common in the river valley. But the clouds bore none of the distinct funnels, so he turned his back on the sky and headed into the palace.

He needed to dress for dinner, for which he was already late, but James decided to take the opportunity presented by everyoneof noble blood sitting around a table eating their first course. Nodding to theveryalert guards at the closed gates leading to the courtyard, he waited for them to open them before saying, “These are to be locked at sundown. No exceptions.” Identical orders to those he’d given at the base of the tower.

“Yes, sir,” they answered with salutes, and James went inside. The corridors were quiet as he made his way to Lestara’s rooms. The two guards posted outside gave no argument, only unlocked the door to allow him entry.

He stepped inside, then immediately turned his back at the sight of Lestara in a nightdress scrubbing a gown in a basin.

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