Page 28 of Kingdom of Feathers

“But I don’t want to leave my home, and go far away from my family and my friends,” Lady Anneliese added. “And Sir Gelding lives a long way south.”

Sir Gelding? Who oversaw the Blacksmiths’ Guild? Wren hardly noticed Caleb’s start, lost in her own surprise. Her eyes flew to Lady Anneliese’s, and the other woman gave her a wry look.

“You’re surprised? So was I, a little. I had thought he was older than he is, though. He’s only about forty, I believe.”

Wren wasn’t quite able to hide her distaste, and she could feel a similar reaction from Caleb. Forty might not be as old as Lady Anneliese had expected, but in Wren’s opinion, a fifteen year age gap was still too much.

“Or are you thinking of his station?” Lady Anneliese asked delicately. “I hadn’t expected Father to countenance a baronet, not when he once thought I would be…well.” She cleared her throat. “I thought the reason he’d let me be for so long was because he was hoping for someone of higher standing.” She was fiddling with the embroidered cuff of her sleeve. “Those things matter more to Father than they do to me. But Sir Gelding is an enchanter, you know. And I suppose that gives his bloodline a different kind of strength.”

Caleb fidgeted beside Wren at the wordbloodline, and she couldn’t help but feel for him. At least it was encouraging that Lady Anneliese didn’t seem to find the possibility of having children with magic—which didn’t always pass down the generations, after all—especially alluring.

Still unsure of what would be safe to say, Wren just shrugged. But on the inside, her voice wasn’t silent.

She can’t marry a man she doesn’t know or like, fifteen years older than her, onlymonthsbefore you’re free.

Of course she can,said Caleb. He spoke evenly, but his swan body didn’t have the iron control his human form had done, and a soft bugle of distress escaped him with the silent words. A pang went through Wren at the sound.I would never have asked her to wait six years for me, even if I could have, Caleb added.

But she’s done it anyway!Wren said.She’d be devastated to marry someone else only to have you return to your human form immediately afterward.

We don’t know that’s even going to happen, Wren,Caleb reminded her in a tight voice.

An icy shot of horror passed over Wren, as it always did when one of the boys reminded her of this argument. She refused to hear it.

You’re going to go back to your true form,she told Caleb firmly.The enchantress said so.

I was there, Wren,Caleb said, a bitter edge to his voice that wasn’t usually present. Lady Anneliese’s revelation was obviously weighing on him more than he wanted to let on.She said we wouldprobablyreturn to our human forms after six years of your silence. But she was completely mad, and she also said she didn’t intend any of this.

Wren ignored him, mashing her lips together into a thin line. Pushing her wayward hair back from her eyes, she leaned once again over the slate, adding a second line below the first.

What are you going to do?

Lady Anneliese bit her lip, giving the tiniest of shrugs with one slender shoulder. “I don’t know. I barely know Sir Gelding, but apparently he’s coming to Myst for a while. I’ll reserve judgment until I see what he’s like. I suppose I should at least give him a chance.”

Wren frowned slightly. It wasn’t the answer she wanted, but it wasn’t a completely closed door, either.

“There’s another matter I wanted to ask you about,” said Lady Anneliese, with the air of one eager to change the topic. In fact, she looked like she’d been holding the question in for some time, whatever it was.

Wren lifted an eyebrow inquiringly.

“I saw a courier arrive about an hour ago,” Lady Anneliese said quickly. “He was in a military uniform, so I suppose he must have come from the border.” She looked sideways at the princess. “I’m probably not supposed to ask, but do you know if there have been any casualties? My brother…”

She trailed off, and understanding blazed in Wren’s mind. She’d completely forgotten that Lady Anneliese’s younger brother was eager to pursue a military career, and had joined the border force a short time before. No wonder the noblewoman was pleased they weren’t going to mount an invasion!

Wren shrugged, an apologetic look on her face, and Lady Anneliese deflated. For a moment they sat in silence. It was normal for military couriers to bring updates from the border to the capital, but Lady Anneliese’s information still seemed ominous for some reason. With a decisive nod, Wren stood. Catching Lady Anneliese’s eye, she jutted her chin toward the castle.

The noblewoman stood hurriedly, and dipped into a curtsy. It was unclear whether she understood that the princess intended to follow up on the news, but Wren didn’t stay to explain. With only a nod to Caleb—whom she still hadn’t entirely forgiven for daring to suggest that he might not be returning to his true position—she hurried into the building.

When she reached her father’s study, she knew from the four guards stationed outside that she would find the king within. They hesitated, seeming unsure about granting her entry. In an apparently casual gesture, Wren twitched the chain around her neck into place, drawing attention to the signet ring—that of Mistra’s heir—dangling from it. Exchanging a quick look, the guards opened the door for her. Pushing down her guilt at once again using Caleb’s position to gain influence, Wren hurried inside.

King Lloyd was deep in conversation with his general, and neither looked terribly excited to see the princess.

“Wren,” said the king, trying to smile in greeting, and not quite managing it. “What brings you—”

Wren gestured impatiently toward the billet in her father’s hand, and the king sighed.

“You heard about the courier, did you? I daresay most of the castle has by now.” For a moment he was silent, seeming to weigh the parchment in his hand as he frowned thoughtfully at his daughter. Then he passed it to her.

Ignoring the disapproving way the general cleared his throat, Wren scanned the letter quickly. Her eyes widened as she grasped the meaning of King Basil’s message. He wanted to come to Myst? She applauded his desire to negotiate an armistice, but in person?

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