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Yrene kept back as Aelin Galathynius appeared, her face and hands clean, but clothes still dirty At her side stood that towering, silver-haired Fae warrior--Rowan Whitethorn Whom the royals had spoken of with such fear and respect ainst the far wall, a tray of food beside her, and the giant white wolf lay sprawled on the ground,with half-lidded eyes

A shock to see the shift, to realize these Fae ht be powerful and ancient, but they still had one foot in the forest The queen, it seemed, preferred the form as well, her delicately pointed ears half-hidden by her unbound hair Behind her, there was no sign of the golden-haired,Lorcan Thank Silba for that, at least

Aelin left the door open, though their two court members remained seated Bored, almost

"Well, noas all the queen said as she stepped into the hall

Chaol’s father looked over the warrior-prince at her side Then he turned his head toward Chaol and said, "I assume they met in Wendlyn After you sent her there"

Yrene tensed at the taunting in the man’s voice Bastard Horrible bastard

Aelin clicked her tongue "Yes, yes, let’s get all that out of the way Though I don’t think your son really regrets it, does he?" Aelin’s eyes shifted to Yrene, and Yrene tried not to flinch under that turquoise-and-gold stare Different froht in Innish, but still full of that razor-sharp awareness Different--they were both different froirls they’d been A smile curved the queen’s mouth "I think he made out rather well for himself" She frowned up at her consort "Yrene, at least, doesn’t see the blankets and snore in one’s ear all night"

Yrene coughed as Prince Rowan only s," he said mildly

Aelin’s mouth twitched when she turned to Chaol’s father Yrene’s own laughter died at the lack of light on theas the queen said to his father, "Don’t waste your breath on taunts I’ry, and it won’t end well for you"

"This is , the walls, the floors "Is it really?"

Yrene had to duck her head to hide her grin So did Chaol

But Aelin said to the Lord of Anielle, "I trust you’re not going to get in our way"

A line in the sand Yrene’s breath caught in her throat

Chaol’s father said simply, "Last I looked you were not Queen of Adarlan"

"No, but your son is Hand to the King, which means he outranks you" Aelin smiled with horrific sweetness at Chaol "Haven’t you told hiirls they’d been in Innish, yes, but that wildfire still remained in the queen’s spirit Wildfire touched with insanity

Chaol shrugged "I figured I’d tell hilowered

Prince Rowan, however, said to the man, "You’ve defended and prepared your people admirably We have no plans to take that from you"

"I don’t need the approval of Fae brutes," the lord sneered

Aelin clapped Rowan on the shoulder "Brute I like that Better than ‘buzzard,’ right?"

Yrene had no idea what the queen was talking about, but she held in her laugh anyway

Aelin sketched anote, we’re going to finish up our dinners Enjoy your evening, we’ll see you on the battlements to away, a hand guiding her husband inside But not before the queen threw a grin over her shoulder to Yrene and Chaol and said, eyes bright--with joy and warratulations"