2

Since the late Duke of Daybreak —my father’s— attempted takeover of Frasia, Efra had healed with remarkable speed and resiliency. The narrow, cobbled streets bustled with activity once again, laughter spilled from the taverns, and merchants manned their stands on the street corners. As Elias and I strode side-by-side through the streets, the riotous laughter melted and was replaced by murmurs as wolves exchanged glances, elbowing each other. We were given a wide berth on the streets of Efra, but out of respect more than anything else. Over the months Elias had proven himself a reliable King. I’d made some missteps as Queen, but I thought I was well on my way to proving myself as a valuable leader.

When we’d first started the patrols, Kodan had been unsure about the two of us walking through Efra without a security detail. It’d only taken a look from us both to remind her that we’d handled situations a lot more dangerous than moving through the streets of our own kingdom. And how were we expected to lead at all if we never spent any time among our subjects?

Elias took my hand and led me down a narrow side street to a single-story half-timbered building, marked only by a swaying sign, carved in the shape of a goose. Inside, dried herbs hung from the low rafters and a moose head hung over the roaring hearth. There were a few other patrons in the tavern, but the conversation was low and quiet. The innkeeper looked barely surprised to see us, and gestured toward a rough-hewn table by the roaring fire.

Elias nodded his thanks. He leaned back in the chair and warmed his bare feet by the fire. I grinned. “You could just wear boots, you know.”

“Mm, they’re too constricting.”

“And your toes going numb isn’t?”

“You get used to it.” He grinned back at me.

Funny how that smile still made my stomach do a small somersault. Even with a few crow’s feet at the corners of his dark eyes, Elias was the most handsome man I’d ever seen. The longer I was married to him, the better looking he became. He rubbed his short beard thoughtfully as he turned his gaze to the fire.

“It’s strange,” Elias said. “I keep expecting to see more portals. Or at least have them be a bit more stable. The flickering in-and-out is making me nervous.”

“Me as well,” I said. “Do you think it’s something she’s doing on purpose?”

“My instincts say no,” Elias admitted, “but I have nothing to back that up. It just doesn’t feel right.”

I nodded. “It feels like its the land itself.”

The innkeeper brought us each a plate of braised pheasant and buckwheat biscuits as well as two glasses of beer. It was plain, simple food, but the meat melted in my mouth and warmed me all the way to my bones.

“I’ve been discussing next steps with Kodan and the other advisors,” Elias said. He took a sip of his beer. “We can’t just keep waiting for something to happen.”

“Right.”

“We need to be proactive.”

“In what ways?” I asked. “We’re already doing all we can to track the progress of the portals expanding.”

“Yes, but I think there’s a better way.” A muscle in his jaw flexed as he gazed contemplatively into the fire. “How would you feel about taking on more responsibility in the court?”

I nearly dropped my fork. “In what way?” I asked.

He glanced over, one eyebrow raised.

“Of course, I want to,” I said quickly. “I know I still have some things to learn about the intricacies of the court, but I…I feel like I’m ready to take on more responsibility.”

I didn’t want to only be the Queen of Frasia, kept in the manor as a prize for the King — which is what I’d expected would happen when I first arrived in Efra to participate in the King’s Choice, what felt like a lifetime ago.

“I want you to be the court cartographer,” Elias said. “Officially.”

My eyes widened. I hadn’t heard of such a role — had it existed before me? I’d have to ask Lady Glennis. To think that my lifelong obsession in maps would take me here…it nearly bowled me over.

Elias chuckled at my expression. “I’d like you to lead the team of guards who are doing the regular border patrols,” he explained. “Keeping a more detailed log of the portals, where they show up, when they close, if they change. Eventually the duties will expand to a more comprehensive mapping of Frasia, and then, hopefully, our neighbors’ lands as well.”

“I’d love to,” I said. “But I have to ask — what for?” As incredible as this sounded, I hated the thought that this was something Elias had dreamed up idly for me, as a way to keep me busy while he dealt with leading the Nightfall pack.

He scooted his chair closer and lowered his voice. “If Corinne does escalate, we’ll be roping in our neighbors regardless of whether they want us to or not. The better the information we have about the land, the better prepared we’ll be to defend it. And if it comes to that, I’ll expect you to act as our diplomatic liaison.”

Again, I balked. “You trust me to do that?”

He laughed, low. “You want the truth?”

I hooked my foot around his ankle under the table, ignoring the curl of anxiety in my chest. “Always.”

He took another sip of his beer. “It scares me to imagine,” he admitted. “After what happened with Draunar, and then with Corinne. But I’ve discussed it with Kodan, and we both know you’re smart, and quick-thinking on your feet. I do trust you.”

The words landed on me like a warm touch, and I smiled into my own glass.

“And your interest in cartography will make you a natural diplomat,” he said. “Queen Enet was impressed with your knowledge of Askonian history and traditions. That kind of awareness goes a long way.”

“I’d love to do more travel and diplomacy,” I said. “Traveling these lands has always been my dream.”