The Queen of Steel and Fire by Steven South

Author:Steven South [South, Steven]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2014-09-15T22:00:00+00:00

Several days later, Claire walked with Kerry through Connemara Palace. “They’re all here?”

Kerry nodded. “The last coach arrived a few minutes ago.”

They went into the throne room, where chairs were set up below the dais. The room was crowded with senators. As Claire entered, the buzz of their conversations died away, and the senators all rose. Elsie sprang up from her chair next to the dais, and ran to hug Claire.

“I’m glad to see you still in one piece,” Elsie said. She drew back, looking at Claire. “What is it?”

“What?”

“There’s something different about you,” Elsie said.

“I’m a Dragon Knight now. That tends to change a person.”

“No, it’s something else. It seems like you’re preoccupied with something…or maybe someone?” Elsie asked.

How did she see that? Claire’s cheeks burned. “I have no idea what you mean.”

Elsie smirked. “Of course you don’t.”

“Seriously, Els. The only thing preoccupying me is war.”

“Strange,” Elsie said, “I’ve never seen anyone smile like that when they’re thinking of war.”

“Was I smiling?” Claire asked. She had been thinking about Adrian again. I have to forget about him, she told herself. At least for now. I have allies to win, and a war to plan. But forgetting him was like trying to forget summer in the winter. Even though it was gone, there was still a haunting memory of its warmth.

Elsie’s grin grew wider. “You were.”

Claire smiled back. “I was thinking about the surprise I have for you.”

“What surprise?” Elsie asked.

“You’ll find out.” Claire took her seat, fidgeting on the throne. The silk of her jade-colored court dress felt foreign against her skin after months in a uniform. “Senators and Chancellor Garenne, thank you for your service these recent months. Keldaren was attacked, and you endured hardship to serve your country in her time of need. Now we’ve been attacked again.”

“We defeated one of Drakaren’s armies. But two more remain. Minerva will never stop attacking us. So we have to stop her. I will go to Kirosia and Hynbarra to ask for troops to help us. And then we’ll go to war.”

Claire raised her voice to make herself heard over the growing murmurs filling the room. “We’ll remove Minerva from power, and eliminate these constant threats.”

Isabelle stood. “The Queen is right to take action against Minerva. She’s brought war to Keldaren too many times. We’ll never have peace until we’re rid of her.”

“It will be a costly war,” Claire said. “But doing nothing will cost us much more. We came near to losing Dalrann a few days ago. When I became queen, I swore an oath to defend Keldaren. When the war starts, I’ll go to the front, and lead the army myself.”

Even more murmuring erupted amongst the senators. Claire waited for it to die down before she spoke again. “I’ll be away from Tara a great deal over the coming months, but the throne will not sit empty for that long. Elsie,” Claire said, beckoning to her.

Elsie rose, and walked up to stand before the throne. Her eyes were wide, and she bit her lip.

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