A Battle of Fyre and Frost

Letter

To Lauden Erynore, princess of Thegalla, from Sylvoril Erynore, crown princess of Thegalla

Okay, not loving the idea you got threatened on your first day, but tell me more about this Darkmore guy? Go on about him for a hundred pages if you want to. You sure Perron is the only one with a boner for him, little sister? Because I could do with the reading material.

And are you sure he wants to kill you, Laud? Or does he want to do other unspeakable things to your body? Deliciously unspeakable things? With the muscles and the control and the WINGSPAN I'm talking about sex, in case that wasn't obvious. Sorry, the pregnancy has seriously affected my sex drive.

On an unrelated note, how's Nyro? Tell him I said hi. No. Actually don't. Just tell him I'm good. If he asks. No. He won't ask. Why would he care? I am fine, though. Just in case he does ask.

I am good, by the way. Getting a bit nauseas, but no actual vomiting yet. I'm not showing, which is good for the corsets, but it'll be practically any day now. Although, Mother says I'll be allowed a 'softer' one when I pop, whatever that means. She said it in that voice she uses when she wants to reassure us but also warn us that it's the 'company line'. So that's something to look forward to, I guess.

Mother is fine, if a bit more uptight than usual. Parliament are giving her grief, but she won't say about what. Personally, I think they don't trust you not to mess up the treaty. Like I know anyone who'd do a better job? I keep trying to remind them all that you are far more responsible and level-headed than me – that you know what's at stake and you'd never risk Thegalla – but you know what they're like. They only know the you that compensates for me.

How are you holding up? Because, it sounds awful there. Just awful. I think about you all the time. You'd be horrified at the amount of time I spend with the accols at the moment, although they're loving it. I have inadvertently made it cool again to worship in my worry and now can't even find a moment of peace to stress about my little sister.

What's it like being surrounded by kerei? Are they as scary as they seem when the visit? I imagine they're worse. I imagine you being surrounded with no way out. I dreamt about it the other night. It was terrifying. I woke in a sweat and the guards came running, so I must have called out.

Mother tells me you're fine, and I can't tell if she believes it or not. Not because she doesn't think you're capable, just because I think she's finally letting herself admit how much danger you're in. If she'd done it before you left, then she might have stopped you going. And, as much as we both wish you were here with us now, I know none of us would wish for war on Thegalla at the hands of those villains.

Please make sure you're taking care of yourself. Keep Nyro close. He will protect you. And take time for yourself. Find a new freedom. You need it or you'll go crazy. Well, crazier than usual.

I love you so much, little sister. And I am so proud of what you're doing for our people. You have my respect, my loyalty and my utmost gratitude for your sacrifice.

Also, I will hit you if you leave it so long to write to me again.

Love, Sylv xo