The sunlight floods my room the following day, rousing me from slumber. I grumble, realizing I've overslept. Last night's memories linger, blurred by the haze of alcohol. There's a vague recollection of tumbling off a table. Sitting up, I rub my eyes as Deirdre enters with a food tray.

"Good morning, my lady," she greets me gently.

Returning her smile, I yawn and ask, "Morning. How bad was it?"

Deirdre tilts her head, puzzled. "How bad was what, my lady?"

I roll my eyes. "You know what I mean. How badly did I embarrass myself last night?"

She chuckles softly. "You didn't embarrass yourself at all; you were the heart of the celebration."

Raising an eyebrow skeptically, I inquire, "Is that so? I don't think Astrid would agree."

Deirdre nodded.

"Yes. I heard that you danced with everyone and even shared several dances with a boy named Mathias from Shimmerpeak," she said. "Something about winning a drinking contest?"

My cheeks flush as the memories from the night before rushing back to me. "Gods, my head is pounding, and I am now a laughingstock instead of a queen," I moan into my pillow.

Deirdre speaks more soothingly this time: "Why don't you try one of Willow's tonics? It's a surefire way to get rid of your hangover. You'll be right as rain in no time."

I groan into my pillow as Deirdre is about to leave. Suddenly, she stops and blurts, "Oh, I completely forgot; I was supposed to tell you that the regional representatives are waiting for you in the study."

My eyes widen in surprise. "What?!"

Deirdre smiles reassuringly. "My apologies, my lady. I'll grab a tonic while you change into something cleaner...for the council meetings. You’re still in the same dress as last night."

She then hurries away to fetch me a remedy so that I can make it to the delegate meeting.

I dared a glance at the mirror, taking in my reflection: long blonde hair, green eyes, and a face that now wore a hint of shame.

After drinking the tonic and eating quickly, I managed to contain my crazy morning hair and change into a clean gown. Afterward, I went to the council hall with Astrid close behind me. I'm not entirely sure when she showed up; she has a way of just appearing.

As I enter the chamber, I notice how all conversation draws to a halt as heads turn in my direction.

I bow my head in apology, "I'm sorry—I got a bit carried away at the festival last night and overslept.”

Rowan gives me a gentle smile and stands up. "It's alright; we were all young fairies once, too. We were chatting while we waited for you."

I glance around the table nervously, but everyone smiles reassuringly at me. Hawke rises and pulls out my chair, beckoning me to join them.

I release a sigh as I make my way to the chair.

"Your father was quite the life of the party in his youth," Hawke says as I settle in. "I remember one year he took a bet that he could jump across the square. But then he got distracted by your mother halfway over, lost his concentration, and crashed into the band."

The room was filled with laughter, the sound bouncing off the walls like bells in a steeple.

"That's actually how they met too, and they tied the knot the following spring," Hawke continued.

I chuckled along with the others, memories of carefree festival days dancing in our minds before the weight of serious matters settled back upon us.

I attempted to focus intently on the reports from representatives nationwide, but Rune spoke for me most of the time. I was terrible at this part of royal duties. I just wanted to return to my chambers and sleep for the rest of the day.

Plans were made for medical aid from the west to go to the North, southern fish to be shared with the east, eastern building supplies to be sent to the South, and docks to be built for the west.

Rowan's voice drew my attention as he flipped through a small booklet, broaching the topic of marriage. "So, let's review the list of unmarried fairies I have here who recently began discovering their powers. Does anyone else have an updated version of this for their regions?"

"Oh no, Kraven!" I blurted out suddenly, causing all eyes to turn towards me. Kraven's mischievous reputation was well-known to everyone. He is nearly two hundred years old and has refused the idea of mating bonds and marriages. He would much rather cause mischief, party crash weddings, and drink all the mead than get married himself.

Rowan seemed the most taken aback by my outburst. "Excuse me, madam, but did I hear you correctly? Kraven the kelpie?"

"He lost a drinking game," I explained with a wry smile, "and he has to get married."

Laughter rippled through the room at this revelation. "Anyone here from a place that has a mischievous kelpie?" Rowan teased.

Hawke interjected excitedly, "Wait a moment! There's a water nymph living in Silverglade."

Concerned about more than magical compatibility, I cautiously asked about personalities rather than powers. Hawke reassured me about nymphs' mischievous nature.

"Let's make sure that meeting is near water then and nowhere close to a town," I requested firmly. "By chance, does anyone know of a fire fae named Mathius from Shimmerpeak?"

The room fell silent, and as the representatives flipped through their notes, their expressions were a mix of confusion and interest.

"I'm afraid none of us are familiar with anyone by that name, my lady," Rowan spoke after a moment. "Shimmerpeak is a small community; we try to keep close ties with them. If there were a Mathius there, we would surely have heard of him. Would you like us to expand to other areas to find him?"

I felt my face grow warm as the realization sank in. "No, I'm just being a nosey queen."

Did he give me a false name? He wouldn't have been so willing to dance with me all night if he had already been mated. If he were married, he would have been listed on at least one of those numerous lists. Perhaps it was my hazy memory playing tricks on me. Astrid, ever perceptive, seemed to sense my discomfort and offered a gentle nudge.

"It's of no consequence, my lady. Names can be deceiving; he may go by another name among his people. We can make discreet inquiries if you wish."

I sighed, grateful for her understanding. "No, let him have his privacy."

The discussions continued, and Iris announced another potential match from Emberhold. The list dwindled quickly as tasks were allocated and messengers readied for dispatch.

Just as relief settled over me for how smoothly things were progressing, Thalos spoke up about a new matter.

His news hit me hard—werewolves at our gates last night claiming ties to Night Star Nomads and demanding an audience with me for matters concerning our realm’s safety.

My heart raced; breaths came fast and shallow. "Last night? What did they want?" My voice barely carried above a whisper.

Thalos hesitated before revealing their demand for a face-to-face meeting under promises of crucial information that could alter our fate.

Decisions weighed heavy through the council; caution warred with duty in my mind as danger loomed closer than ever before. "Arrange for a meeting in the throne room under heavy guard," I instructed firmly before watching Rune depart and feeling unease settle deep within.

I had grown up on stories about how our ancestors fled the mainland to escape the deadly Lycan warlord, but until today, I have never heard of any werewolf crossing the open waters.

The rest of the meeting went by in a blur.

I stood by the window in my chambers, mindlessly braiding my long golden hair, waiting anxiously for a message from Rune or Allyster. The sunlight enveloped me, and when footsteps finally echoed down the passageway, they seemed to float on air. Deirdre's voice called out my name as she entered, her plump fingers clutching a sealed envelope. Her breath was labored from climbing three flights of stairs.

Eagerly, I took the envelope from her outstretched hand. "Nomads have set sail. Headed back to barracks - E," I read aloud, confusion clouding my thoughts. Deirdre shared my bewilderment and suggested seeking answers in person.

Without hesitation, I thanked Deirdre and dashed towards the barracks. Murmurs of guards filled the air as I approached. Peering inside, I overheard discussions of the wolves being seen heading east.

Taking a deep breath, I braced myself before entering and asked Allyster about the wolves' whereabouts. Maps and reports surrounded him, but he didn't bother explaining them to me. He barely even seemed to have noticed my presence.

"Why did they leave without speaking to me?" I pressed him with a tremor of fear in my voice.

“It might have been a distraction,” Allyster’s voice boomed through the stone room.

I felt a chill run down my spine at his words. A distraction? But from what, and for whom? My mind raced, trying to piece together the fragments of information. The wolves were not known for acting without purpose, and their sudden departure raised more questions than answers.

As I pondered Allyster's cryptic response, a commotion outside the barracks caught my attention. A group of soldiers rushed in, their armor clinking with urgency as they reported sightings of dark figures lurking near the forest's edge.

“I want to go check on my people,” I announced, and before anyone could protest, I was already striding out of the barracks. The sun had begun its descent, casting long shadows that danced across the forest floor. The soldiers fell into step behind me, their breathing ragged with anticipation.

"It might not be safe for a magicless queen," I could hear the disapproval in Allyster’s words behind me, but he made no effort to stop me. "Ember will go with."

The bustling streets were still buzzing with the festival's energy as we walked through the lively town. The air was tinged with remnants of magic from last night's celebrations, adding to the vibrant atmosphere. Colorful buildings decked with sparkling lights illuminated our way. Fae creatures of all shapes and sizes flew around us - some gracefully flapping their wings, others gathered around food carts for a bite.

We reached a peaceful clearing, a refuge from the chaos, with a wooden platform and tents scattered around. I paused to take in the calmness of our surroundings, marveling at the beauty that remained despite the turmoil elsewhere. My eyes were drawn to a tent in the center that wasn't there last night, where chanting and flickering lights enticed me closer.

"What's that?" I pointed to the tent.

Ember replied, "Healers. They help those who overindulge during festivities, as others who were reckless like falling off tables."

A blush crept up my cheeks. "I won't hear the end of this anytime soon, will I?"

Ember chuckled reassuringly. Her fiery orange hair was pulled back in a tight braid, her tan skin adorned with intricate red tattoos that snaked across her arms and shoulders. Her expression was stern, yet her eyes, a startling shade of molten gold, held a flicker of amusement.

A rustle nearby put us on edge, ready for anything to emerge. Aric, a simple fae, emerged from the bushes, looking lost and scared.

"Are you alright?" I asked gently.

“She’s gone.. she’s gone.. she was there, but now she’s gone..” he kept mumbling more to himself than anyone else.

Immediately taking charge, I asked for details about his wife, Lyra. I knew this couple; they had just been married last year. I ordered the guard to split up to search for her while I stayed back to comfort him as best as possible.

As time ticked by, anxiously awaiting news of Lyra's whereabouts, every heartbeat felt louder than before – thump-thump, thump-thump – time dragging on relentlessly.

One group found an amethyst bracelet near a thicket where the docks meet the forest—a stark contrast against its surroundings—prompting heart-wrenching realizations about Lyra’s fate.

"We found this," Allyster solemnly showed them the bracelet. “and… indications of a struggle, no blood though.”

Tears welled up in Aric's eyes as he recognized it. "My dear Lyra... she's gone."