The port city was a wild mix of people. There were many, many soldiers but also some haggard looking Azir who glanced about nervously and ducked inside as the group rode through the town. Many of the soldiers were tall, golden-skinned Aryi and seeing them made Fiona's heart ache.

The soldier who her mother stopped in front of was also Aryi and he held a hand to his chest in salute. "Your Excellence, a ship is prepared to take you to Stadrhym."

"Good. Tell Commander Jenor to meet me on the ship."

"It will be done."

Fiona peered at the man as they rode past. Although the same golden tone as Vai, the man's face did not share its perfect symmetry. His nose was crooked with a large scar across it and his face was scowling as he shouted orders to more soldiers.

Her guard offered a hand and helped her off the horse as they reached a large ship. She sheathed her sword, her arm aching from holding it during the ride. The boat had three huge sails and flew a flag Fiona did not recognize at first. As she looked closer at it she understood.

At the center was the familiar white tiger of her mother's personal ensignia, but it was crowned with the four rayed sun of the former Solis empire which in turn was in front of the red and gold stripes of Valhym's chevrons. The flag of the new empire.

A lot had changed since she had left her homeland and while she'd gotten news of the Iron Queen of Valhym's expansion along with the rest of the valley, it was hard to translate that news into reality.

Fiona tried to spot the queen, but her mother was quickly caught up talking with another Aryi and Fiona's guard shuffled her off to a small cabin. Inside was a small circular window and Fiona stared out at it. The ocean stretched out deep and blue, bobbing as the ship rose and fell. It made her stomach twist in more ways than one and she laid down on the small bed squeezing her eyes shut to try to hold back the tears.

She wanted to go home—but she was going home. The two thoughts battled out in her heart and she was unable to avoid the truth. She missed the valley. She missed Libby and Trevor, little Eleanor and kind hearted Gemma. She missed Jayln and Matius and even Anwen.

However, it was when her mind turned to her own household that the tears came. Vai, long suffering and perfect Vai, who was the only person she'd had beside her her whole life. She felt...unprotected without his quiet presence.

With her eyes closed she could imagine him sitting by her bedside, probably fretting over how pale she was, preparing to make a cup of tea that would calm her stomach and her mind.

He would go to the fire and tut over how low it was burning. Fenrin would hear and roll his eyes before giving Fiona a wink and going out into the snow to chop some more wood. Fiona turned and pressed her face into the pillow, unable to banish her uncle from her mind any longer.

Why had he done it? Why? Had he gone mad? Had the strange wildness that haunted her uncle taken over?

It was an unspoken secret, but Fiona knew that her uncle had some sort of dark side. A violent and scary thing inside that he only let creep out at night or when the valley was in trouble. A few times she'd even seen the mark on his head, some sneaky research done by her and Libby confirming that it was some sort of demon's mark. Did a demon possess Fenrin, was that why he killed Vai?

It was the only answer that she could accept and she prayed to every god she knew that they would keep Fenrin safe and that Jayln would find him and help him. Especially if he was as homesick for her and she was for him.