Emberhawk - Jamie Foley Page 0,89

bloody face or I’ll throw you all out without a refund.”

Ryon took a step back and rubbed his neck. “They are enemies of the city—”

“Then come back with orange masks and a rupero for repairs.” The woman shoved Ryon’s chest and pointed to the door. “Get out.”

Kira helped her brother up and fixed Ryon in a dark glare. Tekkyn slowly rose and wiped blood from a busted lip.

So she wasn’t on Ryon’s side, either. Her blue gaze simmered like a boiling ocean.

Fine. He’d known it was too good to be true as soon as she’d warmed up to him.

“I promised to get you to Jadenvive safely. Well, here you are.” Ryon panted and yanked Kira’s herb pouch from his belt, popping its cord. He tossed it to the rice-strewn floor. “Aeo leywa ai shea.”

He turned on his heel and left.

34

VYLIA

Vylia smoothed her salmon-colored silks, standing straight with a disciplined expression despite her anxiety. Tripping over her long sleeves and cracking her coral crown on the steps of the Great Hall wouldn’t be an optimal first impression for meeting the chieftess. Leader of the Katrosi tribe. Head of the Tribal Alliance. The Jade Witch.

They said she’d slain a wyvern and a dozen other beasts of the dark forest to earn her right to be the first female chief. They said she had invisible spies on every rafter and rooftop. They said she could read thoughts as a scribe reads scrolls.

Vylia controlled her breathing and focused on the ornate designs carved into the door to the meeting room. She had to think about something else. Anything else.

The glazed coral of her crown weighed more than it looked like it should. Violet branches wove above her hair, representing honor. Pink for good health. Blue for peace.

Peace. She would make peace with this chieftess, no matter how intimidating or terrifying she was. Vylia had been trained for this. Her father would not accept failure.

“They’re ready, Your Highness.” Hiro reached for the door’s edge, preparing to slide it open. “Are you?”

“You can do this,” Uma whispered behind her. “You were born for this.”

If only it felt that way. Vylia nodded to Hiro and applied a practiced smile.

The meeting room wasn’t as expansive as the Great Hall’s main room, but it was still wide and tall enough to swallow a pauper’s house. Carved wooden pillars lined either side of a table that could seat a dozen people, and yet only three sat waiting: two older men in robes flanking a young woman, who sat at the table’s head.

War paint of charcoal and ivory covered her olive-skinned face, masking her age. Talons, fangs, and feathers composed a wicked headdress—some large enough to look like horns. A fist-sized faceted stone settled above her forehead, gleaming in soft sunlight from cloudy glass windows overhead.

That’s it!

Vylia winced as Lillian’s voice exploded through her mind. It might have been quieter if Vylia had placed her ear next to the fireworks stand at the Moon Festival.

“Welcome, Princess.” The chieftess stood and gestured at a chair opposite her. “I am Brooke of house Stillwind. Please, join us.” Her accent was thick, but Vylia’s translator looked impressed.

Vylia resisted the urge to smile and bow, maintaining the image of strength from her training. She moved to the chair at the table’s opposite head, waited for one of her people to pull it out for her, and carefully sat. Her translator took the seat at her left, and Uma the one on her right.

“Thank you, Chieftess. Your hospitality has been most generous.”

Brooke’s dark eyes followed movements behind Vylia—probably her guards assuming their formation. But where were Brooke’s guards? Was she confident enough in the Great Hall’s security that she didn’t need them here? Or was her own skill so great?

“I am joined today by two of our elders.” Brooke gestured to the man on her right. “The Elder of Aether,” she said, then indicated the man on her left, “and the Elder of War.”

Perfect. An opportunity to express interest in their culture and break the ice right off the bat. She’d just ignore the “war” part.

“A pleasure to meet you.” Vylia tipped her head to them, wary of the balance of her crown. “I have heard great things about your elders. They are each the most experienced in their discipline among your people, yes?”

Brooke stared at her for a long moment. Long enough that Vylia had to resist the urge to fidget.

“Yes,” the chieftess finally said. “Our seven elders are the true rulers of the Katrosi