“Hmm. Two foreign queens, fraternizing in public.” Akeylah lifted a brow. “I believe we are many Kolonyans’ worst nightmare. An end to safe and traditional life as they knew it.”

“Good.” Rozalind grinned. “It’s about time we shook things up around here.” She tucked a finger under Akeylah’s chin. Tilted her face until they were cheek to cheek, the corners of their lips brushing. “I’d like to make you one more promise, my queen.”

Akeylah caught her breath, felt her eyelids flutter closed. “You’ve fulfilled yours. You protected me.”

“I will never be done protecting you. But going forward, I’m done keeping things from you.”

Akeylah drew back, just far enough to meet the queen’s gaze. Rozalind’s dark eyes twinkled in the bright light of the lanterns dotted around the gardens.

“No more secrets,” Rozalind whispered.

A smile curved across Akeylah’s mouth. “Deal.”

Someone cleared their throat loudly, and both queens leaped apart, startled. Zofi stood at their side, smirking. “Sorry to interrupt, Queenie. Just stopped by to tell you how shocked I am—it almost seems as though people approved of your speech.”

“Queenie?” Akeylah snorted. “You’re about as creative as that Talon of yours.” Her expression turned thoughtful. “But, we did get a better reaction than I’d dared hope for.”

“Time will tell.” Zofi surveyed the crowd, gaze sharp as ever. “I’ve already been told how ‘surprisingly cultured’ I am three times tonight, by nobles who looked shocked a Traveler could string a basic sentence together. Don’t expect to fix everything overnight.”

“Good thing we’re in this for the long haul.” Akeylah slipped her hand into Rozalind’s, who squeezed her palm in reassurance.

Ren and Danton swept up, having just finished a dance, arms tangled around each other. “Queen Akeylah.” Danton swept into a bow.

Akeylah’s face heated. She didn’t know if she’d ever grow accustomed to that.

Then again, perhaps it would be better if she didn’t. If she ever got used to it, she might forget where she came from. A little Eastern nobody, who’d grown up under the thumb of a cruel stepfather. Now she was the most powerful person in the Reaches—arguably in the world. It hurt her head to think it.

It hurt her heart to even consider forgetting the long, hard road she walked to get here.

“Ambassador. Sister.” Akeylah smiled. Glanced back and forth between him and Ren. “Are you ready for your journey?” Ren and Danton planned to leave the next morning, to ride out to the Eastern Reach and distribute funds and supplies to villages damaged by the war.

“Ready to start rebuilding Tarik?” Danton’s expression sobered. “I’ve been waiting for this ever since the Seventh War ended. Your Majesty, I can’t thank you enough—”