He whispered back, “To bring you home.”
That was it? She didn’t know what she’d expected, but an escort was not it, considering she already had her guards. She wished Daleina were a better strategist, but Hanna had the strong sense that the crux of the queen’s plan was: invite Merecot and make friends again. “And you brought your candidate to assist?” She waved her hand at the young girl who stood a few paces behind him, next to a man dressed in brown who looked like he’d be more comfortable chopping wood than standing in a palace. The girl appeared to be about fourteen, no more than fifteen, with braided black hair and pale gray eyes. She hadn’t spoken since she’d arrived. The queen’s sister, Arin, stood protectively next to her.
“Oh, Cajara is not my candidate,” Champion Havtru said.
Of course she’s not, Hanna thought, resisting an eye roll. But if he wanted to pretend that the girl was just a family friend or a stray relative who fancied a trip to Semo, then she had no interest in arguing with him. She made a mental note not to trust Havtru with any stealth missions. “How about him? Is he just a friend as well?”
The man in brown stepped forward and bowed awkwardly. “Madam Ambassador, ma’am, my name is Renet. From East Everdale. And I’m here to see my wife, Naelin. Queen Naelin. My former wife. That is, I’d like to speak with her, if I may. And our children?”
Oh, poor man.
“I’ve, uh, heard some rumors since we came to Semo.” He twisted his hands together, fidgeting like a child. “Guards at the border. People in the city. In the palace. They’re all talking. They say Naelin . . . Queen Naelin . . . They say she . . . She’s gone to the untamed lands? But that’s impossible.”
He was looking at her with pleading eyes, as if begging for her to laugh and say it wasn’t true. She couldn’t say that. Hanna gestured toward the cushioned chairs. “You might want to sit.” She didn’t know what rumors he’d heard, but she did have news she thought he’d welcome. “She’s not planning on dying. She believes . . .” It was difficult to say the next part exactly right. She didn’t want to either crush him or raise his hopes unrealistically. “She’s gone to rescue your children. We have reason to believe they’re in the untamed lands.”
Arin gasped. “But no one—” With a glance at Renet, she bit off the rest of what she was going to say. Cajara reached over and took Arin’s hand.
“The untamed . . . How? Why?” Renet stammered. “They’re supposed to be in Semo! Everyone said . . . That’s why Naelin . . . Not the untamed lands!” He’d gone pale and started to shake. She was glad she’d told him to sit. He didn’t look as if he’d be able to stand. Havtru looked stunned as well. Surprisingly, the girl Cajara’s expression didn’t change. Her face was as placid as it had been since she’d arrived. A nice change from all the histrionics of Queen Merecot and the emotional hurricane of Queen Naelin, Hanna thought. If this is Havtru’s candidate, I approve.
“I must go with her!” Renet cried.
“You can’t,” Hanna said, this time barely able to suppress her eye roll. As if this man could do anything there. “She’s already gone. But don’t worry. Champion Ven is with her. He’ll protect her, and if your children are alive, they’ll find them and bring them safely home.”
“I should be with her. They’re my children. And she’s my wife.” He swallowed hard, and his throat bobbed. “That is . . . There was another rumor . . .” He faltered, as if he couldn’t even put it into words.
“She’s Champion Ven’s wife now,” she said as gently as possible. “But they will find your children, if they can.”
He deflated like a wilted flower on the couch. Sinking his face into his hands, he moaned. At last, he said, “I wasn’t worthy of her. Or them. Erian and Llor. Never was. But I will be. When they return to Aratay . . . they’ll see I have changed. I will change!”
Hanna gave him an encouraging smile. “Excellent!” And that was all the energy she wanted to spare on a stranger’s emotional needs. She turned to Havtru. “We’ll begin preparations for our return to Aratay. I’ll tell my guards after we meet with Queen Merecot.”
Havtru’s face relaxed into a smile, as if he’d been expecting her to argue with him about leaving Semo. I’m ornery, Hanna thought, not stupid. Of course I’ll go back. Someone has to keep an eye on Merecot. “You three rest and recover from your journey,” she said to Arin, Cajara, and Renet. “Champion Havtru and I must go deliver an invitation.”
Oh, sweet, na?ve Daleina. Merecot had to work hard to keep a triumphant grin off her face. “What a delightful and unexpected invitation,” she said to Ambassador Hanna and Champion Havtru.
“I know what you’re thinking—you suspect a trap—but I believe it’s sincerely meant,” Hanna said, a hint of weariness in her voice that made Merecot think she was genuine. She clearly believed that Daleina’s motives were innocent, and if Merecot was reading the ambassador correctly, she didn’t approve. That was almost amusing. “Queen Daleina wants to establish a permanent peace.”
Of course it’s not a trap. Daleina won’t kill me. She doesn’t have it in her. “Don’t we all want that? And how nice that she sent a champion to deliver her invitation. Makes it all formal and official.”
Champion Havtru bowed.
The last person she wanted to see in Semo, aside from her old headmistress, was another reminder of the life she’d set aside: a champion. Merecot hadn’t lasted at Northeast Academy long enough for one of Aratay’s much-lauded champions to choose her. And he hadn’t come alone, she knew. A man and two girls had accompanied him, though they’d stayed behind for this meeting. She had spies watching them, of course; she’d know who they were and why they’d come in short order. Not that it matters. She had what she wanted.
Best not to look too eager.
Narrowing her eyes at Hanna and Havtru, Merecot drummed her fingers on the armrest of her throne. “This is a time of change for my country. My people need me here . . . Yet this is a historic opportunity. Few queens visit their neighbors.”
She didn’t mention her last “visit,” and they, politely, didn’t either.
“We would be honored to escort Your Majesty to Mittriel,” Champion Havtru said with another bow. He then fiddled with the collar of his shirt. He seemed uncomfortable in her presence, which was also amusing. She had to work again to keep from smiling.
Merecot waved away his offer. “I don’t need an escort.” She silently ordered one of the smaller spirits to blow open one of the large windows, and then summoned her favorite mount: an air spirit with golden feathers, an eagle body, and a man’s head. He swooped into the throne room and circled the chandeliers. “As you can see, I have my own transportation. You are, of course, welcome to enjoy the hospitality of my castle.”
She had no intention of letting them slow her down. Not when victory was so close.
“But Your Majesty, it would be our privilege to . . .” Hanna began.
Merecot let out a little laugh. “Oh, there’s no need to trouble yourselves. I know the way.” She thought of Queen Jastra and wished she could have said “I told you so.” See, I did have a plan, and it’s happening even more quickly than I’d imagined. If only you’d believed in me more . . . One queen gone, and an open invitation to visit the other. Access to Daleina, near the Aratayian Grove. It was like Daleina was giving Merecot everything they’d wanted, wrapped in a pretty bow. If I’d killed Naelin, this wouldn’t have happened.
She tried not to picture Jastra in her last moments. I can’t be missing her. She betrayed me. But she couldn’t help wishing things had turned out differently. It would have been nice to have someone on her side, advising her, rooting for her.