Kingsbane

Then Audric cleared his throat. “Though I don’t condone your actions, Lu, it’s possible this is working in our favor. I was wondering how we would slip away from the others without causing a terrible scene. And,” he added wryly, “without Lu having to interfere.”

Rielle glanced over her shoulder as Audric withdrew a piece of paper from his pocket and unfolded it.

“What is that?” she asked. Then she remembered. “Your page came earlier with a message for you. From the north, he said.”

A few paces away, Ludivine stiffened. Her gaze turned hazy, then cleared. She looked sharply at Audric.

“Yes, from the north,” he said before Ludivine could speak. “A message from Prince Ilmaire of Borsvall. He and I have been corresponding in secret since Princess Runa’s death. About her death, in fact, among other things.”

Ludivine watched him closely. “Is that wise?”

“I’m surprised you didn’t already know we’d been talking,” Audric said, a note of bitterness in his voice.

Ludivine’s shoulders squared. “I told you I don’t go rifling around in your mind unless it’s absolutely necessary, and I meant it.”

I’m sorry, truly. Ludivine’s voice came to Rielle abashed and muted. Directing you away from Carduel was a misstep. I was frightened to see Corien on that man’s face. Forgive me.

But Rielle lacked the patience to coddle her. “Why is Prince Ilmaire writing to you about his dead sister?” she asked Audric.

“Whatever is attacking our border outposts is attacking Borsvall’s as well,” Audric replied. “He wants to stop the bloodshed and determine its cause as much as I do. Though our countries are not the allies we once were, Ilmaire and I both want that day to come again. He therefore thought it wise to begin a correspondence and pave the way for future friendship.”

He glanced first at Rielle, then at Ludivine, seeming to steel himself. “There’s something else. Violent storms have been ravaging Borsvall’s western coast for weeks now, and with increasing severity. Their cities and ports are in ruins. They’re sheltering as many citizens as they can in the capital, but even their food stores are running low, with most of their trade ships damaged and merchants avoiding Borsvall waters at all costs.”

Audric paused. He glanced at Rielle. “In his latest letter, he’s asking us for help. He’s asking you for help.”

Ludivine made an incredulous noise, but Rielle ignored her.

“Can he be trusted?” she asked.

“I believe he can. Everything I’ve heard about his character has been confirmed through the contents of these letters, the style of his writing, the ideas he communicates. His passion for peace.”

Ludivine shook her head. “Belief is one thing, Audric. Given the history of our two countries, some might consider what you’re doing treason.”

“And I consider it diplomacy,” he said sharply. “Not to mention that helping a country full of innocent people, regardless of whether or not we are on friendly terms with their leaders, is the right thing to do.”

Rielle smiled at him, shaking her head a little, and then brought his face down to hers. Against his mouth, she murmured, “When you say things like that, your brow turns serious and grave, and I find myself unable to resist kissing you.”

He caught her wrists, brushed his lips against each of her pulse points. “A distraction I welcome.”

“Audric,” Ludivine said slowly, “I understand why you want to do this, but I think it unwise. Perhaps Ilmaire is a friend, but we cannot guarantee that of the people around him. His father, his advisers. His sister, who commands the royal army.”

And suddenly Rielle couldn’t bear to hear Ludivine speak another word in that cautious voice of hers—as though they were children she was trying to work out how to let down easily.

“We’ll go at once,” she said to Audric. “We’ll help them, and if that’s treason, then I’ll proudly face your mother and the council to receive my punishment.”

His solemn expression melted into one of such adoration that Rielle flushed. “And then you’ll threaten anyone who dares attempt to enforce said punishment?”

She took his hand with a slight pout. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

“On the contrary,” he replied, lacing his fingers with hers, “I find it exhilarating.”

Reminding herself that soon they would be home, and her bleeding would be finished, and she could have Audric to herself for an entire uninterrupted night, Rielle turned a triumphant smile toward Ludivine. “Well? Will you come too, or will you stay here and sulk in the woods?”

Ludivine frowned at them. “Tal will be furious when we return.”

“I can handle Tal.”

“Not to mention the Archon.”

“I can handle him too.” Rielle stepped onto Audric’s laced fingers and climbed atop Atheria’s back. “I can handle anyone.”

Ludivine said not another word until they had all mounted the enormous godsbeast once more.

Then she said quietly, “At the first sign of trouble, I’ll take control of you both and get us home.”

Rielle looked back at her and snapped, “If you do that, you’ll be just as bad as Corien.”

Ludivine’s mind jerked as if struck, but Rielle didn’t wait for her response. She leaned forward, winding her fingers through Atheria’s mane.

“Fly, Atheria,” she commanded, and the chavaile ran through the trees to the hill’s edge, opened her wings, and launched herself into the air. Audric’s arms tightened around Rielle’s middle; he kissed the back of her neck.

I’m sorry, Rielle, came Ludivine’s whisper. Her remorse lapped against Rielle like an apologetic sea. You’re right. Of course I won’t do that. I’m not like him. I just…

You worry.

Ludivine nodded miserably. Rielle could see her clearly in her mind’s eye—pale face, mouth in a tight line. I do.

And I love you for it.

Then Rielle imagined that they were all home, in Audric’s rooms at Baingarde, nestled together before the fire as they had done for years before their world became the strange, frightening thing it now was.

She sent the image to Ludivine, and felt her sigh in reply, and whisper, her voice trembling with relief, Thank you.

• • •

Ilmaire had requested they meet in a coastal village near the Borsvall capital of Styrdalleen. Atheria landed on a flat-topped hill encircled by stunted trees, and then Rielle, after kissing her nose, sent her away into the nearby twisted woodlands. They had decided that the sight of a godsbeast might ruin any diplomatic efforts before they began.