She offered Latch her arm, and they continued into the palace.
“So,” he said as they strode down the elegantly decorated main corridor, “when do we leave for Cindral Forest?”
“We?”
“I’d like to speak to the Cindral Folk too,” Latch said. “Last time I was there, they gave me copies of their writings that reference the Lightning substance, but that was before we knew about the connection to the thunderbirds. If other creatures are affected, they may know more than I thought to ask.”
“You’re not fully recovered.”
Latch walked a little faster, as if proving his vigor, his boots squeaking on the pale floor tiles. “Getting out of the city would do me good.”
Selivia wanted to argue, but she rather liked the idea of setting out on dragonsback with Latch. She had spent months poring over ancient manuscripts and debating theories about the magical substances, but that was Latch’s world. It was time to show him hers.
“I guess we’re going to Cindral Forest then.”
Latch grinned, and she recognized the boyish excitement he often displayed when he had a new idea for his research. She had missed that. Latch had sought out the Lightning in the first place because he thought it could power all kinds of innovations. It must sadden him that all anyone talked about now was how to seal it away for good.
“Before we leave,” she said as they rounded a corner near Latch’s quarters, “you should ask the healers about—Oh!”
Selivia had nearly walked straight into someone in the next corridor. To her horror, she realized it was Queen Rochelle herself. She leapt back, nearly pulling Latch off his feet.
“Hello, Your Excellency. I’m terribly sorry. I didn’t see you.”
The sovereign ruler of Soole sniffed, not impressed with Selivia’s babbled apology. Queen Rochelle had dark-brown skin, muscular arms, and thick black hair threaded with gray, which she wore piled on top of her head, adding to her height. She didn’t suffer fools. It was a wonder she could have a son as insufferable and vain as Prince Chadrech.
“So,” Queen Rochelle said to Latch. “You’re on your feet again.”
“Yes, Your Excellency.” Latch bowed, managing to look dignified, even though he wobbled slightly. “The palace healers have taken outstanding care of me.”
“I expect nothing less.” Queen Rochelle looked down her nose at Selivia. “Has your brother returned?”
“Not that I know of, Your Excellency.”
“He told me he’d be back before now.”
Selivia winced. “Siv didn’t inform me—”
“I will ask Queen Dara then,” Queen Rochelle said dismissively. “That one has a strong presence. I can see why Lady Vine admires her.” The queen looked Selivia up and down, as if pointing out that she lacked the same strength of presence. “I was disappointed you chose not to wed my son, Princess Selivia.”
Selivia blinked. “I—you were?”
Queen Rochelle turned her attention back to Latch. “We must discuss the restoration of the Crown’s ties with House Brach. You are joining with the Amintelles of Vertigon in marriage, after all, and that’s an important development for Soole. You will dine with me and my son in my private chambers this evening.”
“Yes, Your Excellency,” Latch said.
“It would be an honor,” Selivia said quickly. She wasn’t sure if she was invited, but she was part of this marriage alliance too. The whole thing had been her idea.
“Hmm.” Queen Rochelle pursed her full lips and gazed down at Selivia as if she were an overeager purlendog. “Very well. Don’t be late.” Then she turned on her heel and strode away, taking the last of Selivia’s pride with her.
Selivia’s shoulders slumped. “She hates me.”
“You’ll win her over,” Latch said. “You always do.” He gave her a teasing nudge. “You even won over that clay lizard Chadrech.”
Selivia snorted. “Don’t insult innocent clay lizards.”
She had come to an unexpected understanding with Crown Prince Chadrech. They agreed the Lightning power must be contained at all costs, and he was sticking to his commitment. She believed he was sincere too. He understood the Lightning corrupted its wielders, so he’d given up the wealth and advantages it might have brought him. None of that made Chadrech more pleasant to be around, but Selivia needed his support. She needed to win Queen Rochelle’s respect too. Soole was one of Vertigon’s most important allies and a vital part of the peace agreement holding the continent together. They couldn’t afford to put a foot wrong.
“Should we tell the queen we’re going to Cindral Forest?” Selivia asked. “She might stop us.”
Latch considered for a moment. “I was wrong to keep my research secret before. I don’t want to make the same mistake. She’s right about us needing to mend the relationship between the Brachs and the Crown.” He squeezed Selivia’s hand. “Will you remind me of that if I look like I might punch Chadrech?”
“I’ll try,” Selivia grumbled. “What do you think the chances are he’ll get eaten by a dragon before supper?”
Latch chuckled. “Maybe we should introduce him to Althor.”
Selivia and Latch arrived at Queen Rochelle’s private dining room after the sun slid below the horizon. Like everything else in the palace, the room was decorated with an understated elegance. Pale rose tiles covered the floor, and carved wooden screens revealed snippets of the indigo and lavender clouds beyond the windows. Delicate vases were displayed on pristine columns along the walls, making the room feel more like an art gallery than a dining room.
On the table, two huge platters held rawfish arrayed in thin slices of pink and white and pale yellow. Several varieties of seaweed were served on smaller dishes, some steamed, some pickled, all giving off a pungent aroma. A copper bowl as large as a washbasin held long grains mixed with vegetables and chunks of spicy meat. The drinks were served in elegant clay cups whose reddish hue brought out the colors of the meal. Everything was so artfully arranged that Selivia hated to disturb it by actually eating.
But of course she ate. Cooking was one of the many fine arts the Soolens had perfected, and every bite made her want to sing.
The company was much less pleasant than the food. Chadrech and Latch barely managed to be civil to one another, while Queen Rochelle spent most of the meal bombarding Selivia with questions. About their progress on the Lightning problem. About how much longer they would be staying in Sharoth. About what was wrong with the Cindral dragons. Selivia answered as well as she could, but nothing she said seemed to satisfy the Soolen queen.
“You must get those creatures under control.” Queen Rochelle ate a delicate sliver of rawfish off the end of her knife and pointed it at Selivia. “This afternoon’s incident was displeasing.”
“I’m terribly sorry, Your Excellency,” Selivia said for what felt like the tenth time. “We’re doing everything we can.”
“This is why we usually keep the beasts out of the capital,” Prince Chadrech said.
“Have you had problems with aggressive dragons before?” Selivia asked, hanging onto her polite tone by her teeth. The Soolens had worked with dragons longer than the Vertigonians had. She didn’t see why she alone had to answer for them.