Queen of the Sylphs by L. J. McDonald Read Free Book Online Page B

she’d see the young woman again. She’d never hoped to see Leon or Ril again either. Not really.
    Heyou hugged her. “Do you want me to ask Leon to come see you?”
    Solie shook her head. “He’ll want to see his family first.”
    She felt the longing again. Heyou’s grip around her shoulder tightened.
    The Racing Dawn slowed near the warehouse district. The sylph who’d carried it from Meridal was a placid shimmer overhanging the entire ship, barely visible to the humans. Her original name was Forty-seven Air, but now she was called Ocean Breeze and her master Kadmiel, once a feeder, sat beside her. Both were guarded by a half dozen Valley battle sylphs. Her master seemed scared, but he drew strength from Ocean Breeze while he waited.
    Leon nodded reassuringly at him. Kadmiel was a good enough fellow, and he was in remarkable mental shape given what had been done to him. He’d be all right—which was good, as the last thing Leon wanted to deal with right now was anything that would keep him away from his family. It had been months, and his heart pounded at the thought of seeing his wife and daughters again.
    Nearby, Lizzy clung to Ril’s arm and waved down at people she recognized. Given the reaction of the Valley battlers to the ship’s arrival, there were a lot of people down there, all gathered to see what was happening.
    Leon glanced at the big battler standing next to him. “I’ll need to see the queen in the morning,” he said. “First thing.”
    Mace nodded. Her calendar wasn’t his responsibility, but he would make sure Devon knew to arrange a meeting.
    “Tell her that Meridal now has a queen, and that she is interested in a formal alliance with us. I’ll want to go over the options.”
    Mace regarded him steadily. “It is strange to make arrangements with another hive.”
    Leon slapped his arm. “A lot of things must be strange to you here. Trust me when I say it’ll be worth the effort.”
    Lizzy grabbed her father’s arm. “Look! It’s Mother! Mother!” she shouted. “Mother!”
    Leon turned, Mace and Solie forgotten. Hurrying forward to the rail, he could see a dark-haired woman in a long, pale dress, hair bound up on top of her head. She carried a four-year-old in her arms, and three more girls ran after her, ranging in age from seven to ten to thirteen. The family’s neighbors followed, but Leon had no eyes for them. Betha.
    Lizzy giggled excitedly beside him, and once the ship was settled, she ran for the ladder. She got there just ahead of Justin, who’d been looking over the rail at his father. The boy jumped as he nearly walked into her, but Lizzy didn’t spare him a look. She scrambled over the side.
    Ril looked at Justin, baring his teeth in a silent warning before following Lizzy. Leon sighed and went over the side as well, clapping the boy on the shoulder in silent sympathy before climbing down to the street.
    The ground felt odd under his feet after so long on the ship. Leon looked over his friends and neighbors, Galway with his wife and many children, Gabralina with a strange woman at her side. Devon with his air sylph playing with his hair. Dozens of others. He only processed his wife and family.
    Lizzy was throwing herself at her mother, sobbing. Ril ducked forward, collecting Mia into his arms, and Betha hugged her daughter tightly, crying. The other girls crowded around, only Cara leaving them to run to her father. Leon hugged her, luxuriating in the feel of his thirteen-year-old child before setting her down.
    “Have you been good?” he asked. “Listening to your mother?”
    “Of course, Daddy. It’s so good to have you home!”
    Leon just smiled.
    Done hugging their sister, Nali and Ralad came to him next, and he hugged them as well before turning to his wife. Betha stared at him with tears in her eyes before rushing into his arms. Everyone cheered as he kissed her.
    “I was afraid I’d never see you again,” she cried. “Oh, Leon, I missed you so