A Shield of Faith (BOOK 4)

Chapter 4

HAYVALA

Magick poured into the crystal runestone. Whips of ice grew from her hands to wrap around it in a soothing blanket. Petals formed along the ridge of the flow. A crinkle of what power she had left to her. It folded over on itself, the fullbloom of a crystal rose. It sat in her open hand when she stretched out her fingers, and it whispered along the tug of her reach. Wyvern's sat atop the monuments of someone's name and existence — history unforgotten. Mother, would that I knew how to approach this. On her knees in front of her grave, her feathers stretched tighter to protect her ears from the worst of the blizzard's teeth. This is all I have to offer for you, for now... would that Laucan came to give his own offerings... I think the crown is starting to weigh too heavily on him. He is so young for this. Hayvala glanced down at the smaller pots around the grave, one of them the snowrose struggling to bloom to become a great shield for all the rest. Yokonei... Her furs ruffled against her neck when she drew them closer to her body. Exhaustion dragged her steps, but she forced herself to her feet to participate in the endless dance of her people when Kazmira knocked on the glass panel of the balcony doors.

"You have a court meeting, m'lady," Kazmira said with a bow, her arms stiff at her side when she drew herself downwards. "Further discussions about the Hanekan diplomats."

Hayvala tucked her hands in her sleeves and played the game without them. "Oh? What of Lord Vlasiz?"

"He sent the missive back to his county about opening the iron gates of Whitehaven Pass," Kazmira gave her the report of smaller whispers. "None of the Lords have caught on yet, not even His Wyvern Grace." Her handmaiden frowned deeper. "About His Grace..."

"You've been observing him?"

Uncertainty ripped through the aura of dandelions. "Yes, he paces the royal wing from time to time muttering to himself," she mumbled. "He dismissed his personal Sentinels, from what Efram told me. Otherwise, he shuts himself in his room and does not let anyone see him." Hayvala returned into the comfort and flimsy warmth of her own room and took the teacup from Kazmira when she passed it to her with a quick headbob. "As for the other thing, Blackwall has also interred himself into the palace library with the world's eye."

Hayvala sipped the soothing mixture. Fluffy clouds of heat bubbled down her throat when she finished it. "Then I will have to see what this is about with the other Lords," she said. "Do you know if the Hanekan diplomats are safely inside the embassy?"

"Yes, m'lady. I checked on them earlier, and no one has made mention of the arrival of Fenrer Pyren — nor any comment about the Traye prince. For now, it seems they were never here. Everyone is too busy wearing their masks. If there had been gossip, it was not within the court."

Kazmira's news brought the smallest hint of relief, but it wouldn't take long for the dance to crack the ice out from underneath her when she dared to believe it firm. Nonetheless, Hayvala sighed for the one savored victory she gained with her movement along the board. "I shall worry about my brother for now, thank you, Mira," she said. "Please, take your ease. We shall talk after the council meeting." That I can only hope Laucan will attend this time around with Yuven Traye and Fenrer Pyren long out of his reach. The Traye prince's presence left a mark within the Volaris palace of their seated family. Yokonei Traye, a hostage to his name — killed for its meaning.

Auras swilled within the walls as she followed them to the center of the palace, where the council room rested. In each seat of the false round table, the Lords sat with their hidden impatience. Lord Vlasiz lifted his attention too quickly, causing the older Lords to scrunch their noses in dismay. Hayvala raised her hand not too far past her shoulders to quiet the eerie silence with her entrance. "I hope I did not keep you waiting long, my lords," she said and glanced at the empty seat, too big for a boy king. Dress propped up with the ribbon wings fashioned around her chest and waist, she glided to her own chair.