“They have stolen me an imitation of wealthy Arborian life, but these baubles will never corrupt my heart.” The woman poured from a flask, pushing a crystal glass over to Ark.

This was far from home. Ark looked into the fire, suddenly aware of skewers hanging over the flames. His mouth watered: The smell of roasting meat was pungent, overpowering. He had had visions of being forced to crunch raw squirrels and bugs on some nest-scrape filled with bird excrement.

“Raw flesh is fine for my feathered friends, but I prefer my meat cooked. Here, help yourself. And before you ask, it’s goat.”

It was a long time since Ark’s last meal in the subterranean land of the Rootshooters. The meat was tender, seared on the outside, oozing and juicy as he bit into it. He finished the chunks of the first skewer and devoured a second, washing it down with a fiery juice that tasted of fermented black currant.

Corwenna picked at the meat on her plate, her sharp fingernails like delicate claws.

“So, goddesses eat food as well?”

She burst out laughing. “I suppose I could cook up a few well-meaning Dendran prayers, but that would be thin fare!”

Ark finally managed a smile.

“That’s better! Now we have important matters to discuss. We know that Arborium is in danger. The country has been sick for a long time.”

Ark nodded, thinking of the rich kids playing in the castle gardens and the hovel he called home.

“And now comes an interloper ready to pluck the fruit from the branch!”

“Maw?”

“My birds have eyes. It is they who tell me what is happening in the wide-wood. The woman you overheard encouraging Grasp to betray his own king — Lady Fenestra — is more dark goddess than I ever was! Maw has bred a perfect monster who would devour us all.”

“But if you’re the Raven Queen, can’t you wave a wood-wand or something?” Ark still couldn’t believe he was sitting opposite Her. If only his parents could see him now. “There’s old shrines to you all over!”

“As I have said, Ark, what a few doddering Dendrans believe I am and what I actually am are two different creatures. It’s time for you to hear the truth. But that begins with a question. Where are we?”

“Inside the trunk of a tree. In the Ravenwood. In the far west of Arborium.”

“And what made the trees?”

“Why the school lesson?”

“Answer me!” Corwenna demanded.

“Um … the scientists of long ago. They followed a message borne from the Goddess, to create a world up in the sky, safe from the polluted earth and those who would harm us.” This was the green ark that would shelter Dendrans from all the storms to come. It was a childhood tale that tree dwellers grew up with.