“Rise,” the bone queen commanded. “Not that I don’t love the sight of a Byrne on her knees.”

Alethea got to her feet, her turquoise eyes flashing. “I thank you, Your Grace.”

“So you have come to Ithilia,” the Renalt said. “Is this another one of Ambrosine’s chess moves? Is she trying to infiltrate our ranks now?”

“No one is trying to infiltrate anything,” Alethea said. “My mother does not even know I am here and she would be furious if she did.” She turned to the scarlet queen almost shyly. “My brother Matthias thinks the world of you, Your Grace, and greatly admires your wisdom. He is only fourteen, but he has a brilliant mind and a sharp wit. I have told him that perhaps one day he might come to Ithilia and meet the Lekke himself.”

The bone queen snorted but the Lekke looked pleased. “I would be honored to receive him,” she said.

“But why are you here?” the Renalt asked. “We were surprised to receive your letter and have, after much consideration, allowed you an audience.”

“Yes, let’s get to the point,” the bone queen, who must be the Aerin, snapped.

Alethea took a deep breath. “I have come to ask—to beg—that you leave my mother alone. Not for her sake but for yours. The squabbling between all of our families has gone on for centuries. Isn’t it time for it to end?”

“And you believe we should just forget all the wrongs, all the insults?” the Renalt asked.

“If you do not, you are only giving her what she wants. Invite her to Banrissa. Form a truce. Show the northern islands that the Triumvirate is wise as well as powerful, and able to overlook the past.”

The Aerin let out a sound of disgust. “The northern islands do not frighten me,” she said.

“They should,” Alethea replied sharply. “And they are your subjects, as much as those who live on Cairan or Thaetus or any of the other islands of Pelago. It is the working women and men who suffer most from these petty feuds. The more you fight her, the more her position strengthens in the north.”

“And what is her position, exactly?” the Lekke asked.

“Domination,” Alethea said. “She wishes to rule.”

There was silence and then the Aerin let out a barking laugh and the Renalt chuckled.

“She will never rule Pelago,” the Renalt said.

“She may try to rule some of it,” Alethea said.

“You are a very brave child,” the Lekke said kindly. “But Ambrosine has no hope of ruling over anything but Culinnon. And we cannot reach out an olive branch to someone who has so steadfastly antagonized us. Unless she would be willing to make amends? Apologize for her past behaviors and pledge not to repeat her mistakes?”

Alethea pursed her lips and she looked down at the floor.

“Ah,” the Lekke said. “I thought not.”