CHAPTER EIGHT

Reyn kept her eyes closed. She flinched as the prick of a needle bit against the inside of her wrist, but it was more reflex than an actual response to pain. "What do you sense?" she asked.

The spike drove infinitesimally downward, its point brushing against the threads of ether coursing just beneath the surface of Reyn's skin, within her blood.

"You're holding... two locked spells." Enfri hesitated before speaking again. "No, four. One is a privacy ward. The other three, I'm not sure."

Reyn nodded and kept her eyes closed. If she opened them, she'd see the Dragon Empress kneeling across from her on the floor of her study. It was neither the most quiet of corners in the palace nor the most conducive to meditation; all the activity around the war room down the hall necessitated a privacy ward so Enfri could concentrate. The lack of comfortable seating was also becoming a problem, and Reyn made a mental note to go bother someone about furnishing Enfri's study with a sofa or two at the very least. This shortage of furniture in Shan Alee was getting out of hand.

"Correct, Majesty. I am currently holding four spells. It takes much practice and experience to isolate a spell's function through a Dekaam, so I am impressed you recognized the privacy ward."

"Not so impressive," Enfri murmured. "I knew you had one up."

"Yes, well, you would be surprised how much of what a mage slayer does comes from deductive reasoning before you ever place your spike." Reyn cleared her throat. "Can you tell me if the privacy ward's sigil is on my amulet or elsewhere?"

She opened one eye and watched as Enfri concentrated. The empress' brow furrowed, and the tip of her tongue poked out from between her full lips.

"It's... The ward's not on your amulet." Enfri's eyes snapped open. "I felt an imprint connection heading to a spot over there." She pointed in indication towards the closed door, right at where a small sigil glowed so faintly that it would've been easy to miss under casual inspection.

Reyn smiled. "Excellent, Your Majesty. It is not easy to sense the location of a spell. I am impressed with your progress."

Enfri blushed and smiled prettily. Her bashful reactions to even the smallest compliments made praising her a delight.

"Sensitivity to ether is not often inborn," Reyn said. "It comes through purposeful exposure to spellcraft. Over the last year, you have used more ether than most mortals will ever use in their lives, so it is more or less expected that you have developed an affinity to it. However, these are only the passive abilities of a mage slayer. This is where sensitivity will no longer be adequate and experience becomes paramount. Next, I want you to sever the connection between my imprint and the privacy ward."

Enfri chewed her lower lip, though Reyn didn't believe she had much reason to be anxious. Over the last couple of months, ever since Reyn began teaching Enfri how to use Dekaam spikes, Enfri managed to unravel and destroy a number of spells. It wasn't particularly difficult once she got the basics down, but Enfri wasn't worried about failure. The empress was all too aware of the damage a mage slayer could do to an arcanist.

"Do not worry," Reyn said. "There is no danger of rupturing my imprint from this pressure point. You can only reach imprint connections between me and my spells through the wrist. This is where you would place the spike on yourself if you wish to check if someone cast a spell on you without your knowledge."

Enfri closed her eyes again as she focused. "Even that's not a guarantee, right?"

"Not at all," Reyn said. "You may recall my own failure to detect the wilt curse cast on me in Drok Moran."

Enfri snorted. "You were a bit distracted, from what I hear."

"She was a talented prostitute, for royalty. Regardless, I recommend you take some time to use any and every spell you know of on yourself, then examine your imprint in this manner. Identifying a spell's purpose and strength will soon become second nature."

Enfri nodded absently as she focused, and her tongue started to stick out again. It bothered Reyn. Empresses shouldn't be that cute. Against her better judgement, Reyn was starting to think of Enfri less and less as her employer, let alone her sovereign. As the days and weeks went by, it was becoming harder to ignore the truth of the situation. Reyn had long since begun thinking of Enfri as something similar to a little sister.

Unconscionable, really. Highly improper. Enfri the Yora was the Dragon Empress and Lady of Opals, the single-most powerful woman in the west if not the entire world. All of that was true, which made it really, really annoying when Reyn wanted nothing more than to pat Enfri's head and tell her what a good girl she was for doing well in her lessons. Her Majesty was an empress, not a child, but that didn't stop Reyn from getting this inexplicable urge every time they...

Reyn felt something vanish from within her, and the sound of armored men and women walking through the hallway filled the room.

"Well done," Reyn exclaimed. "That was remarkably fast, Your Majesty."

Enfri blinked in surprise at her own success. "I hardly did anything. All I did was give the spike a little turn as I... Winds, did that help?"

Reyn shrugged. "It can. Small, mnemonic movements such as that may assist you in visualizing where the Dekaam's imprint brushes against the spell you are trying to effect. Such as when a sorcerer gestures with their hand when they cast a spell. It is not necessary, but it can make the process easier." Reyn braced against the floor to stand then offered Enfri a helping hand up. "But that will be enough for today. I thought to keep you until you managed to at least weaken one of my spells, but you are already developing far ahead of my high expectations."

There was a nervous energy to the way Enfri brushed her hands over her skirt to smooth the fabric. "I don't feel as if I'm progressing much."

"Nonsense, Majesty. I trained with the Dekaam since... well, since I learned I could have legs. I did not reach where you are now until I was much older."

Enfri smiled shyly. "It must be the quality of the instruction."

"Perhaps," Reyn said with a wink. "Though, you are only my second pupil. Old Ham was hopeless with the Dekaam. It took him years to reach the level you are at now."

She led Enfri towards the door and opened it for her. There was quite a lot left on the day's itinerary, and it was only through their shared stubbornness that they managed to work in the time to practice Enfri's mage slaying. Representatives from both the smithy and prostitution guilds had appointments for an audience with Her Majesty; the former to discuss the newly brokered trade deals with Nadia and the latter for the acquisition of stable health care for its members. There would also be a meeting with Dragon Lord Ungrid Volkirk for the empress to approve some revisions to the Marble Knights' charter. Those by themselves would make for a full day, but there were other and far more worrying matters to see to.

The halls outside were bustling. The recent attacks within the expanse had the military knighthoods scrambling. The Sapphires had half the dragons and armsmen as others, but they were spearheading the current efforts to secure the western front against further incursions by the Jade Empire. Reyn could hear Lord Ban and several other Dragon Lords in the war room, arguing over which crews would be best positioned where. That no one was all that familiar with the new landscape made the prospect of defending it all the more daunting. Meanwhile, the Imperial Legion was mustering in preparation for deployment.

It seemed that the war wasn't going to just sit by and wait until Shan Alee was ready for it. The timing was inconvenient, and Reyn could only hope that King Cathis' visit could be seen to and Althandi support secured before the fighting began in earnest.

If not, Shan Alee would face Garret's armada alone.

Enfri was pensive as they walked at a languid pace down the hall of the southeast wing. She offered her customary nods to the knights and officers milling around the war room, but her attention appeared to be leagues away. Enfri didn't say a word as Narhta Inaz and Mevek the Guardian left their posts outside her door to fall into step in her wake.

"Champion," Reyn said in greeting to Inaz before acknowledging Mevek. "Lady Guardian."

Inaz nodded to her while keeping his eyes on the path ahead. His dark green tabard now bore a silver crest of intertwining rose thorns, and the pauldrons on his shoulders bore gilded inlays of the same pattern. Other than those small additions to signify his new position, his kit was unchanged from his days as a simple armsman. The relatively humble armor somehow managed to make him more intimidating. Mevek, on the other hand, wore full plate armor polished to a silver sheen. It was somewhat redundant for a dragon to wear protective gear, but it certainly helped her stand out.

Between the two of them, Reyn had a difficult time deciding which bodyguard was the more imposing. Together, they provided a tangible barrier between the empress and danger, one that would take someone either supremely confidant or suicidally foolish to challenge.

"May I ask how you are adjusting to your role?" Reyn asked Inaz.

"Well, Minister," he replied.

Enfri blinked as if she'd only then noticed her bodyguards' presence. She gave Inaz what looked like a wary once-over, glanced to Mevek, then faced forward. It almost appeared as if she was trying to forget they were there.

Reyn kept talking in an attempt to fill the awkward void Enfri's manner towards them created. "Many Arcane Knights have reported a period of discomfort after their bond is forged. Have you experienced anything similar?"

"Not as of yet, Minister," Inaz said.

"I doubt such a thing will come," Mevek added. "Bonding pains appear immediately or soon after the forging. It has already been more than a full day."

Reyn pursed her lips, thinking that neither of the two were great conversationalists. Mevek wasn't near as laconic as her Peridot, but they both had a terse way of speaking that offered little opening to continue a dialogue. Professionals, Reyn decided. They were here to perform a function and had no interest in being distracted from it. Reyn could appreciate and admire that, so it would probably be best if she refrained from trying to chat them up.

Still, it'd been her hope that Enfri and her bodyguards could build some manner of friendly relationship. Lord Ban wanted the empress protected, but Reyn believed the greatest threat to Enfri was her growing loneliness. No one would ever replace what she'd lost, but it couldn't hurt to have one or two more friends.

Perhaps in time, Reyn thought. The wound is still too near. I only hope we haven't just given her more people she feels she has to keep up her imperial facade around.

As if in response to Reyn's thoughts, Enfri let out a low sigh. "Forgive me, Reyn. I'm a bit scatterbrained. Where is it we're going right now? To the brothel owners?"

"That is later in the morning," Reyn said. "Your audience with the crown princess is first."

A look of panic swept into Enfri's eyes and back out again in the span of a heartbeat. "Winds and storms, she's still here?"

"Officially, no," Reyn said. "However, Princess Maya appears content to remain in Shan Alee until her father's arrival. An 'off-the-books' visit, as she put it."

Enfri's steps continued, though she walked with her hands clasped in front of her. Maya's continued and unexpected presence in the palace kept Enfri on edge, and Reyn didn't fault her in the slightest.

"Is she being seen to?" Enfri asked.

"Of course," Reyn assured her. "The suites on the sixth floor of the northwest wing were already prepared for the Althandi delegation's arrival, and the steward put our most experienced staff at her disposal." Reyn drew her spectacles out from her vest pocket and fitted them over her eyes as she checked over some notations on her writing pallet. "Her Highness did leave briefly yesterday evening, not long after your impromptu conference with her. She returned shortly thereafter with some of her personal retinue. Three handmaidens, to be exact."

Enfri perked up. "Zanda?"

"Yes, the Executioner is among them. The others are..." Reyn ran a fingertip down her notes until she found the names. "Lady Valess Borlyn of House Borlyn and Duchess Ceruna Andromien-Tiélda of Primus."

Enfri furrowed her brow. "Andromien. Any relation to..."

"King Julian the Andromien, yes. Duchess Ceruna is his acknowledged bastard. Recently acknowledged and granted title after the announcement of her betrothal to young Lord Gwain Ulbrecht. The royal house of Primus is hoping to secure an alliance with one of Althandor's most prominent houses with the marriage."

Enfri frowned as she craned her neck to get a peek at Reyn's notes. "You're certainly thorough."

"I take great pains to be, Majesty."

Enfri chuckled. "Have any deep secrets on this Lady Valess?"

"Little more than that her house controls the largest portion of Eastern Althandor's wool production. I also believe Knight-Lieutenant Calton Shepherd told us he grew up on Borlyn land."

"I'd forgotten that. Do you ever forget anything?"

"If I do, I cannot remember."

"Silly of me to ask." Enfri followed Reyn onto a stairway leading to the highest floor of the palace. "But Zanda's back. I would've thought she'd return months ago, but as far as I know, we haven't heard from her since the Miracle Expanse... expanded."

"It has come up in the war room," Reyn reported. "The Lady of Beryls considers the Executioner as being on extended foreign assignment but not as a bound dragon. It is admittedly a unique situation."

Enfri made a sound of discontent. "The one bond I forged outside the Arcane Knights, and I gave it to Maya Algara."

"I am certain she would return to Shan Alee more permanently if you asked," Reyn offered.

"Maybe," Enfri sighed, "but... I don't want to pressure her. Dragons should be free to choose their own path, and if Zanda's chosen to stay with Maya, it's not my place to stop her."

"Admirable, but the Executioner is technically your sworn vassal. You would be well within your rights to at least ask after the reason for her absence."

"As you say," Enfri said, "but I'll try to pose the question diplomatically."

They took several flights of switchback staircases up to the sixth story and soon crossed through the main keep to the northeast wing. There was a bustle of activity on the upper floors as palace staff continued to make preparations for the Highest King's delegation. What fine furnishings that were available were carted in from across the empire to give the largest guest suites as lofty an appearance as could be managed.

The guest rooms were spacious and open. Each had enormous glass-paned windows looking out onto the palace grounds and surrounding countryside. Reyn led Enfri towards the east-facing rooms where the view would encompass the sprawling pastures and farmlands of Old Sandharbor, and from this height, could even see the very tops of the City of Althandor's spires far off on the horizon. Walking through the hallways, the delicate music of a lyre could be heard. The sound grew louder as the group neared their destination.

Reyn opened the door into a carpeted antechamber. A small fountain stood in the center of the pentagonal room with four closed doorways on each wall. While Inaz and Mevek remained just inside the antechamber to flank the door, Reyn and Enfri circled the fountain towards where a braided cord of silk hung from the ceiling. Giving the cord a sharp tug, Reyn heard a soft trilling of bells deeper within the suite.

Enfri wrinkled her nose as she eyed the fountain. "Winds and storms, is this my palace, or did we teleport somewhere without my noticing?"

"Have you not yet seen the guest suites?" Reyn asked.

"Months ago. It's a lot of stairs, so the once was enough for me. The suites didn't even have beds in them yet." She tapped her slipper against the fountain's cistern. "Isn't it a bit much?"

"Most definitely," Reyn agreed. "Though, what the Imperial Palace lacks for in size, it makes up for with simple beauty such as-" She flicked her wrist at the fountain. "-water fixtures."

"Who dreams up this nonsense?"

"Pacifica assisted Lord Vanya with the final touches on the guest suites." Reyn removed her spectacles and returned them to her pocket.

Enfri scrunched up her face. "Drat. There's the flavor of my own foot again."

Reyn chuckled as she awaited Maya's attendants to appear and usher them further in. The guest suites were undeniably more grand than the empress' own chambers. Enfri lived in a smaller suite that had little more than a study, sitting room, bed chamber, and dressing room. Her Majesty even seemed to take offense that her rooms had their own privy closet and washroom, with indoor plumbing no less. In comparison, a single guest suite was nearly twice the size with triple the amenities, but Reyn would've been shocked if Enfri thought she was being shorted in any way. The country bumpkin of an empress would probably prefer it if she could go live in her old cottage.

Before the wait could be considered unduly long, the nearest door opened. The volume of the music increased as a beautiful Althandi girl in a long, orange silk gown appeared in the doorway and offered a deep curtsy. The handmaiden had lustrous, thigh-length hair the color of midnight.

"Lady Valess," Reyn said in greeting. "I bring Her Imperial Majesty."

Valess stood from her curtsy and moved to the side of the door. She kept her eyes lowered and spoke in a soft tone. "Of course, First Minister. Her Highness is honored by the Dragon Empress' presence."

Reyn took a step back to allow Enfri to be the first to enter. She was pleased to see how Enfri's nerves vanished as if they never existed, and the Dragon Empress came to the forefront. Enfri walked with her back straight and her chin held high. Confident and at ease, her manner was as a woman who owned the room. It might've helped that she actually did own it.

The suite's parlor was on the other side of the doorway. Sunlight came in through the tall windows. New Sandharbor presented a lovely view, as did the clear skies of the east. Shelves loaded with leather-bound books lined the interior walls. A sumptuous rug, cerulean and silver, dominated the center of the parlor and was surrounded by three plush sofas and a pair of armchairs.

One of the chairs was taken by a young Aleesh woman playing a gilded lyre, the source of the music. Reyn recognized her as one of the palace's parlor maids, trained in the finer arts and conversation for the benefit of imperial guests.

As Enfri and Reyn entered the parlor, the maid continued to play while the other three occupants rose to their feet. Closest was another beautiful Althandi handmaiden, this one wearing violet silk and with reddish-brown hair pulled back into twin tails. Duchess Ceruna had a small beauty mark at the corner of her left eye and stood a few inches taller than anyone else in the room.

Furthest, standing at one of the bookshelves, was Zanda the Executioner. The rose dragon took great pains to keep her human form as nondescript and unremarkable as possible. Pretty but unassuming. Her black hair was kept at jaw-length, and her natural pink complexion was disguised as a less obtrusive pale tone of an Althandi woman.

Lastly was Crown Princess Maya Algara herself. She was no longer in the armor of a royal assassin and instead wore a gown. The dark blue dress was of a Gaulatian cut and bold. It consisted of a corset and bustier, sleeveless and off-shoulder, and was cinched tight to emphasize Maya's hourglass figure. The layered skirts were long and billowing, with the front sections cut shorter to let her walk without tripping over herself.

Maya curtsied to Enfri as the empress approached, bending down low in proper deference to a sovereign ruler. Reyn struggled to keep her eyes where it was appropriate and had no trouble whatsoever seeing why Starra carried such a torch for Jin's elder sister.

Enfri returned Maya's curtsy, and they both straightened at the same time.

"First things first," Maya said, breaking decorum by speaking before her host. "I owe you... so many apologies."

Enfri blinked. "I don't..."

Maya averted her eyes and held up a palm. "It's hard enough saying it, so just let me say it."

"Um... as you say," Enfri said, flummoxed.

Maya took in a deep breath. "Do you recall our first meeting?"

"Vividly," Enfri said cautiously.

"I won't drag this out, but the thing is... I was awful. To you, both as a guest in your home and as... well, as anything else. I'm sorry, for that first time and the time after that." Maya grimaced. "The time after that, too, and pretty much every time we crossed paths ever since. I'm sorry."

Enfri nearly took a step back from how taken off-guard she was. She began to say something, but Maya spoke over her.

"I'm sorry for trying to kill you. I promise it won't happen again."

It must've been that Enfri had no idea how else to react or respond, but she snorted. Had Reyn been any less shocked, she might've chastised the empress for snorting at the crown princess of Althandor, but she couldn't imagine anything more suited to Maya Algara apologizing, let alone to an Aleesh.

Maya snapped her eyes up as if trying to decide if she should be insulted, but she didn't have time to muster up a comment before Enfri's arms were around her. Awkwardly, Maya returned the hug, and much of the tension melted off of her shoulders.

Her Highness swallowed and spoke in a weak and quiet voice. "I want to start over, you and I. It's not something I'm good at, but... I want us to be friends."

Reyn held a hand to her breast, too surprised by this turn of events to say anything. A glance around the room showed that Zanda and the handmaidens were watching the exchange with expressions that couldn't have been anything else but pride.

"I'd like that," Enfri said, pulling away and favoring Maya with a kind smile.

Maya's cheeks were red as she cleared her throat and gestured towards the sofa. "Please, sit. Ladies, drinks for Her Majesty and the minister."

Reyn sat on Enfri's right on the sofa while Maya took the other. Maya dismissed the parlor maid as the handmaidens brought crystal goblets filled with a thin morning wine for the guests.

Enfri accepted her goblet from Zanda, a warm look passing between them but no words. The Executioner then took a place behind Maya's sofa near to the window, her attention seemingly fixed on the outside.

Maya began without preamble. "I know this is unexpected, but there's a lot going on and little time to see to it all." She settled into her seat. "I'll leave what you were talking to your aunt about for later, though I am interested."

"I would imagine," Enfri said, almost meek. "I do plan on speaking with your father about Elise when he arrives."

Maya nodded in acceptance. "Other things, as well. Foremost, from what I've heard, the Jade Empire has attacked. For the moment, Shan Alee is obliged to address any assault on the Expanse, but rest assured, Althandor's response will not be delayed. The legions are engaged with the Horde in Gaulatia, but you will see reinforcement as fast as the trains can carry our soldiers west."

"Understood," Enfri said. "You said you heard from..."

She swallowed the end of her sentence, and Maya appeared to take note of that.

"I don't know where she is," Maya said. "Blustering twerp's always been good with wards, and she has a year's experience in keeping her location hidden from anyone looking. Her sending was brief, and Jin's not so careless as to give out any obvious clues. That's why I came here."

Enfri held her goblet on her lap with both hands and stared into the thin wine. She didn't respond.

Maya narrowed her eyes. "I need to know everything you do about where Jin might be."

Enfri drew her lips into a line before answering. "We have no idea," she said quietly. "There's been no sign of her since... since she left."

"Haven't you looked?" Maya asked, not aggressively, but forceful.

"We..." Enfri swallowed. "I... gave the order not to pursue her."

Maya looked away and wiped at her brow. She was frustrated, Reyn could see that much easily. What was surprising was how she seemed to be making an effort to approach the subject with a semblance of delicacy.

"I don't know what happened," Maya said gently. "I wasn't there. I don't get how it went from giving my blessing for your betrothal to..." She averted her eyes and scowled, then changed her approach. "I'll be blunt. My sister's a moron."

Enfri looked up at her, confused.

"I'm starting to get an idea of what she was thinking," Maya continued. "Winds know, it's the same thing I thought from the moment I learned who you really were. The way Jin and I were raised, what we were taught to believe, jumping to the worst conclusions about you was a forgone conclusion. But, I'd think after being near you for as long as she was, she would've known better. No one I know of could do what you've done. Or done it as you've done it. If Jin thinks it's how Shoen or anyone else would've gone about things, she's gone blind. She had no cause to betray you."

Enfri listened with a placid expression, but when Maya finished, her eyes became a little more hard.

"Didn't she?"

Maya frowned.

"I like to think I'm different from past emperors," Enfri said. "In the end, am I really?"

"How do you mean?" Maya asked.

"In the end, whenever I didn't get my way, I used force to make it my way. Whatever I said my goals were, the methods were the same. Anyone who stood against me got burned. I didn't see what I was becoming even when I thought I was being so careful. Jin saw, and she kept her promise."

Reyn watched Enfri out of the corner of her eye, hiding her shock at hearing Enfri condemn herself. Did she really harbor that much guilt over her actions? Did she now see them as wrong?

What else could you have done? Reyn silently asked.

"Winds take me," Maya growled. She shifted her weight on the sofa and lounged back. After taking a sip of wine, Maya sighed and fixed a judgmental look on Enfri. "I should've known. You're both morons."

Odd, but Reyn was comforted now that Maya was back to her old self. She would've put it a little more kindly than Her Highness, but she couldn't exactly say she disagreed.

"I beg your pardon," Enfri sputtered.

"Morons," Maya reiterated, then downed the rest of her wine in a single gulp. "Let me speak plain."

"I don't think I could stop you if I tried," Enfri muttered.

"You really couldn't," Zanda murmured from the window.

Maya shot her bound dragon a withering glare before returning her attention to Enfri. "I think I have the full picture now. Let me guess, you spent the entire march north agonizing about how Jin was handling the possibility of fighting her family."

"Of course I was," Enfri insisted.

Maya nodded as if it were no surprise. "Naturally, and Jin had a razor focus on keeping you safe from us."

"So I thought."

"Well, she did. That's Jin. Selfless, sacrificing Jin. All duty and responsibility, without a thought for her own desires."

Enfri gave Maya an incredulous look, as if she couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Jin's selflessness is her best quality."

"Oh, without a doubt," Maya said lightly. "The trouble about best qualities, they get easily turned into your worst fault. Let me ask you something else. All that worrying about how Jin was, did you ever take a few moments to ask her?"

"Of course I..." Enfri cut her heated response short, and continued in a more subdued murmur. "I'm sure I did. Once or twice."

Maya hummed. "Moron. Once or twice doesn't cut it with a dough-brain like my sister. Next question, did she ever ask you about the shite moves you supposedly made?" Her voice hit a mocking, high-pitched tone of parody. "Did she ever say 'my heart, is there a particular reason you did that, because it looks like you're bent on conquest', or anything similar?"

Enfri stared at her with her mouth agape, clearly at a loss for words.

"Of course she didn't, because she's a moron, too. From where I'm sitting, you nitwits are perfect for each other. Only problem is, when most couples fail to communicate, they have a few spats and maybe one of them sleeps in the parlor for a few days. With you dolts, the world might end because you couldn't stop mooning doe-eyed at each other and realize your betrothed isn't perfect. It's obvious you know what a disaster you are, so why can't you see she's no better?"

Reyn definitely would've put it more kindly.

"The point I'm trying to make," Maya said, setting aside her goblet and rising to her feet, "you two bungled things something awful. That said, don't you dare sit there and try to tell me it's all your fault, or all hers. No one made it any easier on you, and essence of all spirits take anyone who says it's not amazing and beautiful that you made it as far as you did. Winds and storms, I am inspired by you, so stop your wallowing this instant and blustering do something about it!"

Maya's pronouncement must've startled Enfri, because she nearly dropped her full wineglass. Reyn deftly plucked it out of her hands before it could spill over her skirt.

Enfri chewed her lip before meeting Maya's gaze. "I'll..."

"I seek Enfri the Yora."

The male voice coming out through a sending stopped the conversation cold. Reyn would've threatened dire retribution on whoever dared to interrupt, because Maya was taking Enfri by the scruff and giving her the shake she desperately needed. However, it soon became clear that if anything was more important than returning peace between the empress and her assassin, it was this.

"I... I'm here," Enfri said.

The original voice was shunted aside as a feminine voice broke through the sending. "I need green one!"

Enfri's hands darted out to either side to find purchase. "What's wrong?"

"Is that Rippling Moon?" Maya asked.

"Is!" Moon shouted. "Star Hunter? Nay, this is wind. Green one! I need Enfri!"

"Moon?" Enfri called into the sending. "Where are you? What's happening?"

"Is white one," Moon cried. "Is rybka! She is coming. She is coming now!"

Maya and Enfri exchanged panicked looks.

"Does that mean what I think it means?" Maya whispered.

Enfri's wide-eyed expression sobered in a heartbeat. The Dragon Empress was gone, and a sky woman appeared in her place.

"Send for Ban," Enfri said, turning to Reyn.

Reyn nodded emphatically. "At once, Majesty."

Enfri looked back to the sending and got to her feet. "Don't worry, Moon. I'm on my way."