Shalador's Lady

directly into the land. The results weren’t as dramatic, but it was less physically demanding for the Queen and something they could do often without endangering themselves.
    Learning about that option had almost started another quarrel between him and Cassie over her first careless release of power. Probably just as well that Surreal and Rainier had already gone home before he found out about it.
    “I’m glad there’s a way the Queens can use their gift without spilling their own blood,” Gray said.
    “Shira is pleased about that too,” Ranon replied. “She wasn’t happy about Cassidy opening a vein every time to siphon some power into the land. The men who serve can accept blood being given once a year in a ceremony when the rest of the time it’s just the Ladies releasing a bit of power into the land or water.” He paused. “Even using restraint and letting other Queens demonstrate, Cassidy has drained herself more than she should have.”
    “Well, she’s going to go home and rest for a day,” Gray said, feeling his temper sharpen at the thought of her collapsing again.
    Ranon snorted. “Good luck getting her to do that.”
    Gray closed his eyes and began counting. “Her moontime is coming. She has to rest during those first three days. It’s a rule. ”
    He could feel Ranon watching him.
    “And that fussing thing,” he said, opening his eyes enough to keep track of Cassie. “That first time, Lucivar said something about being allowed to fuss during those days, but I wasn’t paying attention.”
    He heard Ranon try to choke it back, but the laughter burst out.
    “Hell’s fire, Gray,” Ranon said when he was able to speak again. “You’re turning into a pain in the ass.”
    Something inside him shifted, settled. Felt solid—and right. He looked at his friend and said, “No, I’m turning into a Warlord Prince.”

    Kermilla lay back on her bed and smiled.
    The Queen of Dena Nehele. She finally understood what all of Theran’s circling had been about. He wanted to know if she was interested in ruling Dena Nehele after Cassidy’s contract ran out. He didn’t want Freckledy; he wanted her.
    A Territory Queen. La, wasn’t that wonderful? All right, it wasn’t a rich, exciting Territory, and it was in Terreille, but the tithes had to be worth the responsibilities, so they would be so much better than that little sheep-shit village of Bhak or, worse, Woolskin. She’d try for a five-year contract. Theran would get it for her. And she wouldn’t shirk her duties. Really, she wouldn’t. But she’d make sure there was some fun too.
    It had been satisfying to teach those other Queens about draining power into the land. Such a basic thing, and they didn’t know it. La! They weren’t much better than landens. Not that she’d said that. She supposed they were nice enough, but most of them were older than her and they looked so tatty and didn’t talk about anything interesting. How could they expect anyone to take them seriously as Queens when they dressed like that and didn’t know how to be interesting?
    She would set an example, even set the fashion trends. Wouldn’t that be fun? Of course, because Freckledy had gotten into a snit, she was stuck here in Grayhaven, which was supposed to be the capital of Dena Nehele and an Important Town. There wasn’t anything here that she considered impressive. If this was the best they could do, maybe she didn’t want to rule here after all.
    No, of course she wanted to rule here. When would she get another opportunity to rule a whole Territory? Sabrina was going to be ruling Dharo for years and years, and there were too many other strong Queens to choose from when it came time for a successor. She could continue to rule Bhak and keep a connection with Dharo that way. A few days each season would be sufficient for whatever required her attention. Her Steward could run Bhak and landen Woolskin the rest of the time and just send her reports—and the all-important income from the tithes. Then, if she decided not to stay in Dena Nehele and nothing better turned up in Terreille, she could go home, a seasoned Queen who might not be offered a Province—yet—but should be given her pick of the larger cities that could offer more diversity in terms of society and entertainment—and shops.
    If she was going to stay here, she would need more company. Not too much company, since Theran was more than a bit stingy and he would have to support any Ladies