It was a day like any other in the heart of winter. Sunlight danced like diamonds atop a fresh breath of snow that blanketed the forests and fields of Gaia. Well, this region at least.

  Deep within the woods, hidden from the eyes of Man, they waited.

  A woman of short stature compared to her companions with hair the color of a raven’s down perched delicately atop a stump. The black cloak she wore looked to be made of the finest leathers - but as she moved, it flexed and pulled. For it was not a cloak at all, but a pair of large wings.

  “My Queen,” A man who towered over her a good head and half approached her side, “There is still no sign of the Aetherians.”

  “Mmm…Rex would not miss a chance to humiliate me. They’ll come.”

  The man nodded, his face grim. If a human passing by saw this group, they would surely label them demons. For atop their heads grew massive horns, of all shapes, colors, and sizes. Nevermind the wings wrapped over shoulders like heavy leather cloaks.

  Turning her head, her eyes scanned the trees, as if wondering if perhaps a human would wander by.

  “No one can see you, Mother.” The voice belonged to one of the taller gentlemen. He leaned against a tree, a heavy cloak over his wings and the hood pulled up.

  “Still, I feel eyes.” She murmured softly.

  “That would be me, Cytheria.” Out of the sky they dropped, nearly two dozen men. They hit the ground, feathered wings outstretched for balance. When they rose, they stood even over the biggest men in her much smaller group. The horns atop their heads grew smaller, but brighter, giving off a glow in this light.

  Their King, for surely the one dressed in gold silk and armor with a golden circuit around his head of long, rich bronze hair, had to be the king, regarded her coldly. Of course, Cytheria knew him and she merely gazed at him as rose to his feet.

  “Rex…It is nice of you to grace us with your presence.”

  “Yes, yes. Let us get on with it.” As if that were the command, his men moved like a well oiled machine. Around them sprang a table, chairs, an extravagant tent. Platters laden with food appeared.

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  All the while, Cytheria watched Rex through unamused eyes. He sat down in a chair too fine for this desolate woods, propped his feet up on a gold encrusted footrest, and took a bite of a chicken leg.

  Her gaze slid to her son, who covered a chuckle with a cough.

  She agreed but they needed his answer.

  “I see you brought dinner tonight.” She raised a hand, refusing an offer of chicken from one of the servants. Behind Rex, another man in a heavy cloak watched from under the edge of his hood. He moved after a moment to stand with her son by the tree.

  “You can take a horse to water, but you cannot make him drink.” Sebastian said as he unrolled parchment on the table. “King Rex has agreed to your terms.”

  “Has he? And we are speaking through proxy tonight?” The voice came from her assistant, a slender woman who looked very much like she’d enjoy shoving that scroll where no light would ever find it.

  “Cytheria, control your lady’s maid.” Rex glanced up, and then popped a grape into his mouth.

  “Control yours.” Cytheria arched a brow toward him.

  The tension rose, lightning almost sparking between the two leaders as they glowered at each other. And then it was gone.

  Calming warmth washed over Cytheria, resonating out from a firm hand on her shoulder. She flickered her gaze upward at the culprit and forced a tight lipped smile as his blue eyes met hers from under the hood.

  Gods, he was everything.

  “Ethan…We are fine.”

  “Yes, Ethan. Do save your little parlor trick for when she pulls a knife on me.” Rex shrugged the hand off, scowling at Ethan. The Horseman’s gaze turned cold, the warmth reserved for Cytheria washing away as he looked at his King.

  “With all due respect, you are more likely to pull a knife than Cytheria.” Before Rex could retort, Ethan turned his back to return to the other cloaked man’s side.

  “Bah, odd one, that one. Now, Cytheria…This should please you.”

  It was a point of contention between the two when neither of them would use the other’s title.

  “Oh?” Cytheria crossed her arms, eyeing him intently.

  “Yes…I have decided to agree to your terms.”

  “Better.” She dared not praise him too much, as Rex was a moron and would run with it.

  “Good. But I have a demand.”

  Cytheria stifled a groan. They had been in negotiations for nearly two years because of his ‘demands’. Rex pretended not to notice.

  “I want you to host a grand celebration.”

  “What?”

  “This is a historical event. I want us to come together in Barathrum, to show unity. We can hold another one in Aether for the official signing, but I want a party in Barathrum first.”

  Cytheria stared at him for a long moment, then nodded.

  “Fine.” She leaned forward to look over the parchment. Then she stood, waving off an offer of wine. “Then our business is concluded. We shall host the ball in two weeks, as per your demands.” She had read the date on the parchment and knew her people could do it.

  Rex huffed at already having to get up, but nodded to her. He seemed briefly surprised she readily agreed, but then moved past it as he stood.

  It was his servants who seemed the most upset about having to pack up already, but even before Rex had finished letting Sebastian roll the parchment, the Queen and her entourage were gone.