Infinity

“No,” Rhys admitted as I slipped off Winston and onto the ground. “But if they’re willing to hand over your aunt? I think we have to hear them out.”

“I agree.” I said.

“So do I,” Mercedes added.

“So how do you want to handle this?” John asked me.

I turned to look at Winston. “I want you to shift back into your human form while I change my shirt and wipe the mud off my face. John, you scare up a group of nobles to go along for the peace talks. Sort of a shock and awe thing.”

“I’ll get you a battalion of soldiers to act as bodyguards, too,” Rhys said.

“And then?” Mercedes asked.

“Then, if we’re lucky, we’ll be able to end this. Or at least delay another war until we’ve had time to rebuild a bit. Now if you’ll excuse me”—I rolled my eyes—“I’m told I need a clean shirt.”

…

“So what do we know about this guy?” I asked John as we picked our way through the deep forest fifteen minutes later. We were surrounded by a dozen soldiers, the rest of the nobles trailing behind us.

“Valkorn of Itasca?” Rhys didn’t turn from his place at the front of the soldiers. “Not much.”

“He was Grand Vizier under Bavasama’s mother,” John added.

I looked over at him, confused.

“He was her version of the Fate Maker,” he explained. “He performed the rites necessary for what was once the combined lands of Nerissette and Bathune to honor the Pleiades, and he administered the will of Fate.”

“So what happened?” Kitsuna asked from my other side, her hand on her sword as she glanced around the forest, her shoulders tense.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

She stopped and turned to stare at John. “You said he was the former Grand Vizier. He was in charge during the rule of Queen Allie’s grandmother, Bavamorn. That means he’s not still Grand Vizier, is he?”

“Bavasama’s Prince Consort is now Grand Vizier of Bathune,” Tevian, the leader of the dragons, said from behind us. “Damarock of Sevai. He studied under the same wizard as the Fate Maker. They trained together, in fact.”

“So they were friends?” I asked.

“No.” Tevian hurried forward to walk along beside us and then dropped his voice. “But they do share the same desire for power, so if I were you, I would be wary.”

“What about Valkorn of Itasca? What is he now that he’s no longer the guy in charge of the magical people in Bathune?” I asked.

“He’s still a member of Bavasama’s council—an elder, actually. Most people thought he would have retired and let his son take his place on the council, but right now that’s not an option.”

“Why not?” I raised an eyebrow.

“Well, Valdoc of Itasca can’t take his father’s place on the council,” Tevian said, not meeting my eyes.

“Why?” I glanced over at him.

“Rumors are that Valdoc of Itasca died from the wounds your bodyguard gave him at Dramera, Your Majesty,” Tevian said. “You may remember she tried to carve him open with a sword?”

“Oh.” I swallowed and looked over at Kitsuna, who’d gone pale. “He was the wizard who followed us on raven back.”

“He was,” Tevian said.

“That wizard came to Dramera to assassinate our queen,” Kitsuna said, her voice steady. “I did what I had to in order to protect her.”

“Well.” I sighed. “Let’s hope Valkorn doesn’t let that get in the way of brokering this peace deal.”

“He won’t,” Rhys said. “After all, they were the ones that came to us looking for peace. They aren’t going to screw it up now over something that none of us can change.”

“I hope you’re right,” I said quietly. “Otherwise, we just might be walking into an ambush.”

Chapter Sixteen

“Halt!” Rhys called out a few moments later. We all froze.

I looked at him. “Rhys?”

“While you were getting your hair done”—Rhys smirked at me as I scowled—“I met with the leader of the battalion escorting Valkorn. We’ve agreed that the two of you will meet without soldiers.”

“But—” I swallowed and turned to look at the rest of the nobles.

“Since he’s a wizard, you’ll be allowed to take one body-guard and your sword,” Rhys said. “Anything else is seen as an act of aggression.”

“And bringing an army along isn’t?” I asked.

“Allie.” John looked at me. “There are rules to this sort of thing.”

“Fine. Right. Okay.” I nodded. “I can do this.”

“I’ll go with you,” John said.

“No.” Kitsuna stepped forward. “I will. I’m Her Majesty’s bodyguard. This is my responsibility.”

“I’ll go alone.” I pushed past Rhys’s soldiers and started toward the clearing, shoving branches out of my way. “I’m not going to let him think I’m too scared to deal with him on my own.”

Instead of waiting for someone to try and stop me, I stepped into the clearing and found myself face-to-face with the wizard Valkorn of Itasca—or rather face-to-beard-and-large-floppy-hat.

“Your Majesty?” The tiny wizard bowed low, his white beard scraping the ground. “I am Valkorn, advisor to the great and just Queen Bavasama of Bathune. I’ve been sent here today to arrange for the removal of your troops from our land.”

“I know,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady and not to let him see how on edge I really was. Sure, the guy was goofy looking, but he was a wizard, and in the past year I’d learned that even the goofiest wizard could be deadly. “You’ve been sent by the wizards of Bathune to negotiate the surrender of my aunt, Bavasama, Empress of Bathune.”

“Not as such.” Valkorn stepped forward, crowding me.

“What?”

“I am sorry, Your Majesty, but peace isn’t what we have in mind.” His hand shot out, lightning fast, and he grabbed my arm tight as sparks raced along my skin. The world around me went dark, and I could hear the sound of Kitsuna and Winston both screaming for just an instant before the world exploded, and then there was nothing but the sound of air flying past me and the sharp crack of the world splitting in two. The world blurred as I fell, and I flung my arms out, trying to grab onto something as Valkorn kept my arm clamped tightly in his grip.

There was a flash of dazzling green light, and then I could feel my body again as it rushed face-first toward a shiny black floor that had been polished so much that I could see myself falling toward it as if it were a mirror.

My body hit first, and I had just enough sense to jerk my head back, trying to keep from planting my face against the cold stone, as well. I rolled over, taking in the black marble walls that surrounded me, the blood-red tapestries hanging from the walls, and the elaborate chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. There, at the far end of the room, was a dais with an ornate, black throne sitting upon it, the broken crown of Bathune worked in gold thread on an enormous black tapestry.

Valkorn landed beside me, jerking my arm upward, and I turned to see him standing above me, glaring at me as I huddled on the floor beside him. “Up,” he snarled, tugging on my arm again. “Get up and show proper deference to a queen.”

“Oh, shut up.” I pushed myself up to my knees, grabbing for my sword.