“Welcome, Aharon,” said one queen as she rose. A descendant of Isabeau and current ruler of Niobe, Queen Katya was sharp of tongue and not one to back down from a fight; along with being terribly beautiful with dark gray eyes against brown skin. She reminded Bryony of a bronze knife. “Your daughters grow only lovelier, my friend. Congratulations on your son.”

There was no curtsies or hand kisses, only a firm handshake. “Many thanks, Katya. It’s good to see you again. Henry, how are you? Look at young Milo!” Aharon spoke to him while Tabetha took a seat, daughters settling behind her. Bryony rocked on her heels, already eager to leave.

Across the table, Katya’s only child glared at Bryony until she looked away.

“Where’s Cornelius and his family?” asked Aharon, sitting. “They aren’t usually late.”

“And you’re usually so punctual,” spoke the solemn queen of Ghitah, no sarcasm in her flat tone. She reminded Bryony of a ghost with her pale blue eyes and white-blonde hair.

“Ebele is right.” The ruler of Embry and her father’s best friend, Declan smirked and leaned forward. “You’re usually last. It’s a marvel we get anything done.”

Aharon laughed. “I’d like to see you try and wrangle eight children into carriages.”

“He can barely handle Scarlett,” spoke up Declan’s wife, shaking her head. “I don’t know how you manage it.” The adopted two-year-old in Liliana’s lap giggled as she tickled her sides. Scarlett and Sage were close in age; they could be best friends like their fathers.

“One or eight, every child is a blessing,” said Henry heartily. He was such a large man, Bryony once thought the Avani king part giant. He gave his eldest a clap on the shoulder, and Milo looked embarrassed at the sudden attention. “They’re our future and will continue the peace.”

“Wise words, Henry,” Kaya agreed with a nod.

“But should we worry about Cornelius?” asked Henry’s wife, Marie while nervously glancing towards the golden thrones. The adults stiffen in response. “He’s never...” she trailed off.

A moment later, the throne room doors opened, startling the announcer. “The royal family of Rialtha; King Cornelius, Queen Dianne, Prince Rowan, Xander, and Sedrick.”

The rulers relaxed as Cornelius entered with a laugh, “Sorry to be late; a carriage wheel broke off.” He looked at Aharon and blinked. “By the Mother, how late are we?”

As everyone chuckled, Bryony saw Sedrick look at her nervously. The tightness in her chest returning, she looked to her shoes.

“Well, we can’t start this meeting without you.” Aharon looked to the plain wooden lectern that held the most important document in the seven realms. The enchanted parchment glowed white, pulsing faintly like a heartbeat, and the ink was still bright despite being a thousand years old. Every year, the kings and queens retrieve the inherited magical stones and pressed them to the parchment, the previous signatures vanishing so they could sign it again.

It held six signatures from the year before. The seventh hadn’t faded despite being over two hundred years old, though its glow wasn’t as bright.

Henry stood; his realm the first established, he would start the gathering. “My dear friends, welcome.” His smile was wide. “To another year of peace!”

The adults clapped, but Bryony was rocking onto her heels, eager to go. Seeing it out of the corner of his eye and stifling a laugh, Aharon suggested, “Perhaps before we go on any further we should let the children go free.”

Tabetha glanced back, and Bryony froze while Henry laughed. “I agree. Be free children!”

Needing no furthering prompting, Bryony bolted towards the doors that the guards were rushing to open. Her mother was probably disappointed, but Bryony didn’t look back to check. Her departure was followed by a round of fresh laughter.