“Two sustained significant injuries it is likely they will not survive. One died, landing upon his head.” He shared this and then rushed to say, “Farah, they meant to—”

“I know what they meant to do, True. Do not forget, I am proud to be Queen of Wodell as I am thus, standing at your side. But I am born Firenz and we do not vacillate in doing what must be done to those who have earned it.”

“You can say this to yourself, and perhaps it is true,” he replied gently. “But if thoughts come up in you, know to your soul what I hope you know in your heart. As you have been for me, I will be there for you.”

As you have been for me…

I smiled at my husband.

“I would hold you forever, no matter where I am, even sitting on wet earth in Airen. But there is much to do, and we must get on doing it,” he remarked.

I nodded and my husband tightened his hold on me as he took his feet, before he put me on mine.

And before we set off to do what was next that we needed to do, I caught him at the sides of his neck with my hands and held tight when he gazed into my eyes.

“I love you, True,” I whispered, knowing it was felt, in times like these, that these words needed to be spoken so they were understood, when in truth, this sentiment should be expressed in all times.

True was not ignorant of this, which was why his face softened and his hands came to mine at his neck, not to remove them, but to curl his fingers around mine and hold them warmly against his skin.

“And I love you, my Farah.”

We held each other’s eyes.

We took our moment.

And then we turned in order to set about doing what there was next to do.

Queen Silence

Northeastern Border of The Enchantments

AIREN

“Leave us,” Mars ordered on his approach to where I stood not far from the smoking circle I had doused when soldiers had arrived to take custody of the captured sorcerers.

I watched men and women from four different armies scatter at my husband’s command.

As for me, I waited until he got close before I lifted my hand, palm out his way, and demanded, “Don’t even start. I am fine. Farah is fine. We—”

I said no further words, for I was up, and then I was down, my cloaked back to a blanket of wet leaves, my husband atop me.

“Mars,” I whispered.

“Kyril told me the lot of it.”

Balls and begorrah.

Bloody, big-mouthed Kyril.

“Mars,” I repeated.

“I am the Fire King,” he stated.

I opened my mouth, though I did not know what I would say.

Regardless, whatever it would be, I didn’t get to say it.