EOLANDE CONSIDERED herself old fashioned. She liked the way Anlithamy had been run centuries before Andorra's parents had stepped into rule. She liked the way Anlithamy was separated into different Courts and Clans. She liked when fae didn't intermingle.

Princess or not, Eolande considered herself above the others in many ways. She ran her court in an iron fist, and she took the job seriously. Her people would be Seelie, no matter what newer aged fae considered her actions to be.

Anders, while he had been her beloved nephew, had not been what Eolande considered King material. Her nephew had been born with selfish guidance and a spoiled upbringing that had tainted his integrity, and while Eolande was displeased by his death, she was not quick to resurrect him.

She was appalled that Roseria would have ever offered that. Appalled, even more, that Roseria would travel across the sea to do so. War had been brewing for many centuries, and Eolande knew exactly why the Queen of Anlithamy had stepped foot into her court.

It was only a matter of time until she came crawling to Eolande's doorstep herself. The Princess knew this, and so she set herself up in the tea room, drinking from a freshly brewed kettle, her daughter across from her.

Eolande had many opinions about her son's disappearance, but Eolande kept them to herself. It wasn't regal to spread gossip. It did, however, please her that Jezebel stayed beside her, ever present in the court politics. Not that Jezebel would ever become Princess, but she was still royalty.

"Mother, they're here." Jezebel set down her own teacup. "Callum is in tow."

Jezebel tried not to flinch when she thought of her old friend. Callum though hadn't been her friend for much longer than she had expected. Callum, while he often did his own thing, had never strayed for so long. Despite Win's desire for Callum to split from the group much earlier, the Winter fae had always returned.

Jezebel had always considered Callum and Eve her best friends. It stung, knowing they had abandoned her.

"And the Snow Clan Leader as well. Intriguing indeed. Let them in, will you?" Eolande didn't turn towards the door. She didn't have to; she knew her daughter would do as she was told. It had always been that way; Jezebel was Eolande's doll.

It had always been Clini who had put a wrench in the household. The small, unfavorable child of the Spring Court in every way. Eolande let her face smooth out before anyone could catch her scowl. Son or not, Eolande did not feel the same love towards Clini that she had always felt for Jezebel.

Eolande did not stand for the Queen. She did not turn around to greet them. She let Jezebel lead the Queen to the chairs, nodding as the Queen took a seat. Jezebel, who knew her role as the daughter of Princess Eolande. Jezebel, who never made waves, who never strayed from her duties.

Eolande did not acknowledge her daughter leaving. She looked up, watching as Callum and Sir Nohx took a seat next to their Queen, boxing her in. Eolande had to admit, she would have never expected Callum to dote on a human-raised changeling.

She expected the Queen to feel fear, but not a drop of it permeated the air around them. No, Queen Andorra was staring back at Eolande with a flat expression, no longer a bumbling child who was thrown into the world of Anlithamy.

Andorra, for all her credit, did not balk at the sight of Eolande. "Princess Eolande, your home is lovely." Andorra did not touch the teacup in front of her. "We will not take up too much of your time."

Eolande flashed Andorra a hard smile. "You're already wasting my time. Why are you here, Queen Andorra?"

Callum fought not to stiffen beside Andorra. Nohx was already in Clan Leader mode, his face blank, his body relaxed. He was not threatened.

"This is not a waste of time, Eolande. King Kaeberon will be upon our shores and will start war. When that happens, we will need all of Anlithamy supporting our fight to keep him off of our shores. I'll be frank: Kaeberon wants to steal your powers, and he will do so. I am asking each and every Clan Leader and Court Leader if they will fight."

Eolande took a long drink of tea. She did not blink. "Your actions have consequences. You made a visit to the King, and he wants to start war because of that. Why should I clean up your mess?"

Andorra was sick of hearing this counterpoint. Sick of having to explain herself and her actions. Why was she the villain and not Kaeberon?

"I am asking you to protect your people against what is about to happen. I understand your aversion to me as a Queen, however war is coming to us. It would have come to us without my visit. I am here to warn you, and no matter what you decide, I will be on the frontlines protecting you irregardless. So you can decide to help or not, but Anlithamy is in this together. And if we want to stay Anlithamy, then we need to fight. And unless you want Anlithamy to be like Averotho, then I suggest you help your home."

Andorra stood up. She had no energy to fight Eolande. "Like me or not, Anlithamy is home to both of us. And I'm going to fight to protect it. I will be sending word of when Kaeberon arrives. You can heed my warning, or not. But the Spring Fae deserve a Princess who will fight for their safety."

"The Spring Fae can handle themselves."

"I know they can. But are you the weak sort of Princess who will hide away while your people fight? Or will you stand beside them while they fight for Anlithamy?"

Eolande tipped her chin up, but did not stand. "Is that what you think of me? Weak?"

"I think you hold on to tradition. I think you would have rather seen your nephew as King, despite Coronomous not selecting him. I think you would hold a petty grudge against the current Queen and decide to leave your people to fend for themselves."

"You're a child-"

"I am Queen." Andorra held Eolande's burning gaze, not backing down. Her heart was a flutter in her chest, and she tried to breathe evenly. "I take my role seriously. I will tear through anyone who wishes to see me and Anlithamy destroyed.. Including your nephew. Including you. Do not underestimate me because of my age."

"Is that a threat?" Eolande took another sip, but Andorra saw the slight tremble in her hand. Andorra wasn't foolish enough to think Eolande feared her, but there was something there. Something Andorra would dissect later.

"That is a warning. I strive to get along with all of Anlithamy, but I know not everyone will always support my decisions. However, I am your Queen, and that will not change. Insubbordiant fae will be dealt with."

"And they say you have a human heart." Eolande gave a quick, dark grin. "If only your parents could hear you now. How sad they would be."

"My parents, your late King and Queen, would support me. Are you interested in knowing how I know?" Andorra gave a slow, knowing smile. "I went down to Moribund. I escaped the Deathwringer and evaded death just to meet my parents. And trust me when I tell you, they are proud."

Eolande's grin slipped from her face. "No one goes to Moribund alive."

"And yet, here I am. Now, we'll be in touch, Eolande."

Andorra looked over to Callum and Nohx, nodding for them to stand. But before the three of them could take a step to leave, Eolande set down her cup and stood as well. She blocked the path to the doorway, oh so casually.

Her eyes tracked Callum. "It's a pity, what you've turned into Callum."

Callum tilted his head. "I don't agree, Eolande. It's a pity that you act like a spoiled child."

"All of those years mean nothing to you? You were practically my own child-"

"No, I was never that Eolande. You've turned the Spring Court into a barbed cage keeping everyone out. Anders would have never been King. He wasn't strong enough, nor noble enough, and I'll have you know that it was not Queen Andorra who killed him. It was me."

Something dark flashed in Eolande's eyes. She looked to Nohx, next. "And you. Do the two of you know what you're starting? We have a caste for a reason. And you're ruining it-"

Andorra let out a long laugh. Still, the caste system seemed to chase them, no matter where they went or what they did to escape it. "My love for Sir Nohx is not ruining anything. And as Queen, I do not care what others think."

Andorra reached out to grasp Nohx's hand. His skin was cold against her in a calming way. A grounding way. She was home whenever she was with him. Nohx must have felt the same, because he squeezed her hand lovingly.

"The caste system is bound to fall, Eolande. Love should not be kept within borders. And don't worry about me being your King." Nohx flashed her his teeth. "I won't go too hard on you for speaking to my Queen the way you have been. Unless my Queen wishes you dead, I will behave."

Eolande flung her finger up. "I won't let the Winter Court get away with this! I know this is a long, drawn out ploy for the throne. If the others want to be blind, so be it. But I know what this is."

"Goodbye, Eolande. We'll see you soon." Andorra ended the conversation abruptly, reaching for Callum and pulling him into the inbetween. When the gate shut between them and Eolande, Andorra let out a long breath. She turned, looking at Nohx, wanting to read his expression.

He immediately opened to her, his features softening. "I think it's safe to say she hates us. But at least she didn't attempt to murder us?" He was smiling, so at ease around Andorra and Callum. He opened his arms when Andorra moved to hug him tightly.

"Yeah, safe to say she won't be siding with us," Callum grumbled. "I hate her. That... what word did you both use? Bitch. That bitch."

Andorra laughed suddenly into Nohx's shirt. "Eolande is a bitch. But, oh well. One less person on the sidelines. I guess we'll have to hope our Clan Leaders come through." Andorra released Nohx, turning back to Callum. "I'm sorry you had to even see Eolande. I know there's tension there."

Callum scoffed. "I'm not worried about her. Eolande will always be a thorn in our side, but you're the Queen. There's nothing she can do."

"So, home? Or the castle?" Andorra looked to Nohx as she asked it. She really wanted to lay in bed with him and do nothing else, but there was so much to be done, still. She had preparations. She had Clan Leaders to warn. But after the day she just had, Andorra wanted nothing more than to cuddle up with Nohx in Icewood.

"I think we should talk to the others." Callum crossed his arms. "Make a concise map of where everyone should be when Kaeberon arrives. We have to be prepared for when he eventually arrives. Because I'm sure he's making preparations as we speak."

Andorra groaned. "Yeah, you're right. Queenly duties it is, then."

She held onto Nohx's hand, squeezing tight. Because after all of this, she couldn't wait to just be able to focus on them. On Anlithamy as a united whole. On disbanding the caste system and allowing anyone to be with whoever they wanted.

"If it makes you feel any better, I think we'll have the support from most of Anlithamy. The war won't be a breeze, but it won't just be us. We'll have the numbers."

That did make Andorra feel better. No matter what Kaeberon threw at them, she wanted to be ready. She wanted to be prepared. She wanted to be the best Queen she could be for her people.

* * *

HAHA ignore the fact that i posted the wrong story to this book earlier WHOOOOOPS

anyway, school has started back up for me, so the updates will be slow. I just wanted you guys to know I'm not done writing, and I've also not disappeared off of the face of the earth! I'm just gonna be busy busy busy

sooo updates will prob be weekly! (most likely on saturdays... but don't quote me on that haha)

okay okay i love you alllllllll

xoxo