Author's Preface
Shani mumbled a complaint as a knight escorted her to the library. She had lost track of time and ended up taking a nap in the tree. An ever-so-diligent knight had decided to escort her to her next class. She still had some time before then, so as usual, she had to wait for Nimue in the library and train her mind for a bit. Per Nimue’s orders.
Shani thanked the knight and walked in. The library was quiet and musty, its shelves stretching high toward the domed ceiling. Balconies and ladders lined the towering shelves. There were no windows, but a large chandelier hung from the dome. The light was dim, but the room felt cozy rather than dark.
In the center of the main floor sat a young boy with pale pale strawberry-blond hair and slightly oversized glasses, completely absorbed in an impressively thick book for someone his age. The librarian dropped off several more books at a nearby table.
Judging by how big and old they looked, Shani was sure he’d requested them.
He was surrounded by colorful pillows. Cream, yellow, purple. A blanket lay across his lap. He pushed up his glasses and turned another page. Shani was sure she could scream, and it would barely register to her cousin. Then a wicked thought struck.
A mischievous smile spread across Shani’s face.
With careful steps, Shani followed the curved rows of shelves, slipping behind bookshelf after bookshelf until she was directly behind her cousin. She dropped onto her hands and knees and crawled the final foot.
“Whatcha reading?” she said as she poked his sides. Her voice was low, but from this close, it was plenty loud. Caelis yelped loudly, earning a stern look from the librarian. His face flushed before he turned his attention to Shani, who was now laughing as she crawled over to sit beside him.
Even sitting next to her younger cousin, she felt enormous, about a head taller than him. She hated it.
“Shani!” he hissed.
“You’re such a scaredy cat,” she teased as she plopped onto her stomach and reached for a book in their nest.
“I wasn’t scared,” he muttered, pushing his glasses higher up his nose. Shani peered up at him and noticed scratches and bruises marring his hands. His eyes were red, and a faint pink colored his pale cheeks. She frowned.
“How was swordsmanship?”
Caelis turned his face away from her. “How do you think…”
His voice sounded scratchy. Shani scooted closer until her side touched his leg. She looked down at the book in her hands.
History of the Gods.
Ugh… pass.
A disgusted look crossed her face as she pushed it away. Shani tapped her fingers against the carpeted floor and glanced over the dozens of thick books that surrounded them. She rolled onto her side and poked her cousin’s leg until he looked at her once more.
“Did… you get any books for me today?” she asked shyly. Caelis nodded and set his book down. Shani took a glance at its title and instantly regretted it.
The History of Magic and the Science Around It
Sometimes she forgot how smart he was. She wondered why her uncle forced him into knight training when he was much better at brainy stuff.
Caelis pulled another thick book from the pile, though it was much thinner than the others. “Here you go.”
Shani looked over the cover. Intricate artwork surrounded words simple enough for her to read. It was a book of fairy tales about the Gods and their stories. She opened it. Each page had artwork, and there were still a decent amount of words, but none of them were as scary long. .
“It’s perfect!” she exclaimed as she began to read. A smile crossed her cousin’s features.
“It’s for five-year-olds… so I thought it would be perfect for you, Shan,” he said as he returned his attention to his book. Shani’s mouth fell open. Then she grabbed a pillow, rose to her knees, and hit him with it.
Caelis laughed and threw a pillow at her. It barely made contact. They both looked at the pillow, then at each other for a moment before collapsing onto their backs, their laughter echoing through the shelves.
A sharp hush came from nearby. They looked up to see the librarian with a finger to her rosy lips. They both bowed their heads in apology before lying back down and staring at the ceiling. Silence enveloped them for a while, but it wasn’t uncomfortable.
Shani pursed her lips and then rolled over to face Caelis.
“What if I did your knight training, and you did my etiquette classes?” she asked. Her eyes were wide as if she had solved a hard puzzle. Caelis rolled over and raised a brow. He looked a lot like their uncle when he did that.
“And how do you suppose that would work?”
Shani shrugged.
“Maybe I dress as you and you dress as me?” she asked. Caelis snorted, looking at her over the frames of his glasses. His lavender eyes seemed to see right through her. Sometimes it unnerved her. Then he shook his head.
“Yeah… because you and I look so alike,” he said, giggling some more. He reached toward Shani’s ears. She flinched and he froze for a moment before flicking one of her curls. Shani pouted. She thought it was a good idea.
“Fine! Forget I said anything then,” she exclaimed as she once more flopped onto her back. Caelis followed suit, a small smile tugging at his lips. He reached for his cousin’s hand and held it. Shani didn’t react.
“Thanks… for the suggestion,” he said. His voice trembled again. Shani simply nodded.
So the plan fell through. That wasn’t the biggest deal. She had been practicing etiquette every chance she could get, or… when she remembered. She was sure today would be her day. She would show Nimue.
Today… she was going to be perfect.
Jamila sat behind a dark wooden desk that seemed to have been a part of the office for generations. Directly behind her were three arched windows that stretched nearly the height of the wall. They flooded the room with light, making candles and flames unnecessary. Well… not completely.
A small black iron stove stood against the far wall, its pipe disappearing into the stone above. Embers glowed behind an ornate grate, warming the office against the autumn chill. The sky outside was blue, but Jamila always felt cold nonetheless. One of her aids would occasionally prod at the fire, making sure to add wood as needed.
Hours. It felt like hours had passed as she reviewed documents and letters. The documents were fine. They were all normal things. The expected crop yield for autumn, how adjacent territories were doing, expected income to prepare for the coming winter.
She could handle that.
The letters, though…
They were all from aristocrats throughout Gildan. Some were from women Jamila had been close to as a girl, hoping to reconnect. Fine, she understood. Others were asking for balls or a public tea time. They wanted a social season. A debut season in the palace. There were even letters from local lords and farmers asking for one of Noxis’s descendants to bless their lands.
Jamila sighed.
That last duty was usually performed by the crown prince or, in his absence, someone else of the direct bloodline. But there was no way Shani was old enough to ride a carriage by herself. Not for a silly religious superstition. She leaned back in her chair and pinched the bridge of her nose. She could send Jaziel to perform the rite. That was an easy issue.
The aristocrats, however… It was just a headache.
She knew the end game. The Empress was unmarried and still quite young. No male heir. They would be pushing for the connection… for the chance that one of their sons could become her consort. They might even use Shani to get close to her.
No thank you.
She was already mated, after all. She would sooner become an old crow than marry some pompous, purist Gildan aristocrat whose son could later hurt Shani’s standing. She would sooner give Caelis the crown.
She glanced up at the clock and groaned. She still had half a day left.
A gentle knock broke her concentration. She looked up to find her brother leaning against the doorway. A smug, pleased smile spread across his face.
“Trouble in paradise, Your Majesty?” he said, glancing over the mess of papers that surrounded her. She shot him an annoyed look.
Speaking of pompous Gildan purists.
“No… I am living the dream.” She wanted to roll her eyes, but that would be less than diplomatic, especially with so many eyes on them. Jaziel’s gaze swept around the room before returning to Jamila.
“I’m glad you seem to be working so diligently, Your Majesty,” he said as he waved toward the doorway. A few maids shuffled in, placing several tiered towers of desserts and savory snacks on the small table in the center of the office, along with a pitcher of spiced honey water.
“I thought you may enjoy a snack,” he said with a knowing smirk. Cocky. Perhaps cocky was a better word for Jaziel than pompous. Jamila smiled and looked toward her aides, who were also beginning to look quite ragged. Spring and fall seemed to be the roughest seasons for everyone.
“Alright, everyone… let’s take a break,” Jamila said, standing from her desk and addressing her aides. Relieved looks crossed their faces before they bowed and excused themselves. Silence finally enveloped the office when the last aide left, closing the door behind him.
Jamila joined her brother on the couch, accepting the hot water with a grateful nod. She took a slow sip, savoring the warmth spreading through her chest. A sigh escaped her lips as she melted into the soft couch. Jamila pulled her legs up and sat cross-legged on the couch before reaching for an almond cookie.
She noticed Jaziel shaking his head, but she didn’t care what he thought of her manners. They were alone, and he would sooner chew off his own foot than tarnish the image of royalty.
“How go things?” she asked, glancing at her brother from the corner of her eye.
“The palace is running smoothly. Staff seem to be quite happy in their current roles… We have a few standout appren—” Jaziel began. His tone shifted into something less playful. Jamila couldn’t help but pout, though she listened despite herself.
“How go things?” she repeated, interrupting him. Jaziel’s eyes widened and he smiled sheepishly.
“I am well… Iselle loves the new dress you gifted her… and Caelis hasn’t been able to put down that book.”
Jamila nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. “I see… I’m glad. Continue.”
Jaziel nodded, and the briefing began in earnest once more. Whether it concerned the palace itself or matters beyond its walls, it seemed like her brother knew everything.
He truly would have been the better ruler.
“Several sections of the old wall have started to erode. They’re requesting artisans to begin repairs,” he finished as he buttered a biscuit and took a small bite. Jamila considered this briefly before setting her cup aside.
“No. That won’t be necessary.” Jaziel blinked, his cheeks still full of biscuit, making him look rather like a squirrel. He swallowed quickly.
“Won’t be necessary? What if those Thornbloods decide to cross?” he asked, his tone sharper now. Jamila chose to ignore the slur today. She had neither the patience nor the energy to begin that argument again.
“They had no trouble crossing when the wall was brand new,” she replied evenly. “The wall has always been more for comfort than practicality.”
“Yes, but–”
“And besides,” she continued, lifting her cup once more, “we had a drought this year and lost two supply ships. We need to conserve as much as possible before winter.”
Jaziel’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing else on the matter. He let out a long sigh before leaning back and pulling his arm over his eyes.
“Fine… we will leave it be this year.”
“It’s going to take a lot of time and money to replace those ships,” Jaziel muttered. He sat upright once more and scratched at his neck.
“Yes…” Jamila said, her eyes distant.
“What if we entered negotiations with the Sullivians and used their trade routes?” she murmured, more to herself than to him. Jaziel set his tea down harder than intended. The sharp clink echoed through the room, bringing Jamila’s attention back to the present.
“Absolutely not.” His tone was calm, but there were flames behind his eyes. He loved Shani, but apparently that hadn’t softened his feelings toward the Sullivians.
“Besides, do the tree-hoppers even have routes?” he asked. His tone was one Jamila didn’t appreciate.
“The forest is up against the path to the mainland… It would be stranger if they didn’t have routes.” Jamila took another sip of tea. Jaziel was quiet for a moment before taking a deep breath.
“Well, despite that…” he continued, slipping back into the composed tone.
“It would be too dangerous to send our people… no Gildan has set foot in that forest for centuries.”
“No one huh…” Jamila mumbled resting the warm cup in her hands.
“I’m sure we could figure out a way,” Jamila countered.
“Maybe we can just invite the chieftains for talks?”
“And say these talks go well… what if they decide to betray us the moment we cross?” Jaziel retorted.
“They wouldn’t.” Jamila’s tone remained calm, but her eyes hardened slightly. “They would never do something so underhanded.”
“Oh, so you are willing to bet my knights’ lives based on a feeling?” He hissed.
“Need I remind you that the last Sullivian chieftain was a bloodthirsty madman?” Jaziel said. His tone was higher than normal, which rattled Jamila.
“And need I remind you that our father was no better!” Jamila hissed in response, slamming her teacup on the table. It shattered beneath her hand. A sharp sting followed, and a single drop of crimson slipped from her palm.
Jaziel’s eyes widened. He quickly pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and wrapped it around his sister’s bloodied hand.
“Okay… I understand. Just calm down.” He slowly drew back, and Jamila took over, pressing the handkerchief firmly against the wound. Jaziel let out an exhausted sigh.
“I cannot give my full support without first meeting the Thorn—”
He stopped abruptly as his sister’s eyes narrowed.
“The chieftains,” he corrected stiffly before reaching for a cookie and taking an absentminded bite. A visible shudder ran through him, his face twisting slightly.
She supposed it must have been too sweet. Smiling to herself, Jamila reached over and stole the rest of the cookie from his hand. She bit into it, deciding to let the matter rest for now. There was no need to agitate him further. This wasn’t an issue they could resolve overnight.
But… she was happy he had reconsidered meeting them.
“I’m thinking of taking Shani into town tomorrow,” Jamila said, trying to change the subject. She flinched as she glanced at the wound. Jaziel glared at her, and she promptly continued to apply pressure.
“I want to see how the people are doing.”
“I’m not sure that would be wise,” he replied carefully. “The princess is still learning etiquette.”
“I’m sure she’ll do fine,” Jamila said easily, nibbling at the edge of the cookie. “She’s still a child. She doesn’t have to be perfect.”
She tied off the handkerchief using her teeth to help make sure it was tight. Jaziel’s mouth hung open. She ignored him. It throbbed, but at least she could still work now.
“Besides…” she added with complete confidence, “she’s my child. Etiquette should come naturally.”
Jaziel let out a quiet breath of amusement despite himself. His gaze moved from the broken teacup to the bandaged hand, then to Jamila’s strange sitting position. Something playful flickered behind his eyes.
“We will see…”
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