The young queen felt her hands grow cold.

“We lost?” Council member Pelleas Wynbalar blinked his ice-blue eyes in disbelief.

Not a breath was heard as the knowledge of the King’s devastating defeat sank in. A hundred scenarios began playing through Niamh’s head. She was so fresh to this world, so new to being a queen, Niamh knew her life was in danger. She closed her eyes briefly to calm her mind.

Trajyr asked darkly, “How long do I have?”

“You will be ...