Dawn was barely breaking over the Neverdie Realm when Kael stepped onto the ramparts. The purple sky stretched above the rooftops, crossed with bands of pale gold. Kira waited for him near the battlements, arms crossed.
"You're sure you want to go alone?" he asked.
"I won't be alone. I'm taking someone."
"Who?"
"The scout's wife. She asked to come."
Kira stiffened.
"You want to take her to Sylva? That's dangerous."
"She wants to see the wolf queen. She wants to understand why her man died."
"And you agreed?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because she has the right. And because her anger deserves an answer."
Kira hesitated.
"Can I come?"
"No. You stay here. If I don't return, you know what to do."
"You shouldn't say that."
"I say it anyway."
A figure stepped forward from the shadows. A young demon woman, hard-featured, her black hair tied back. She wore a dark tunic and worn boots. Her red eyes burned with contained anger.
"My king," she said.
"You're ready?"
"Yes."
"What's your name?"
"Mera."
"Mera. Hold tight. The flight will be fast."
"I'm not afraid."
"Good."
Kael unfurled his wings. The tear was sharp, wide. Black feathers stood out against the nascent light.
He turned to Kira.
"Guard the kingdom."
"Always."
Kael seized Mera firmly by the waist and launched himself upward.
The wind rushed beneath his wings. The city tilted, then the hills, then the forests. The Neverdie Realm spread beneath them, vast, dark and golden.
Mera did not cry out. She clenched her teeth, her hands gripping Kael's arm.
"Are you holding on?" he asked.
"Yes."
"We're almost there."
They crossed the northern lands, skirting frozen rivers, black plains. The vegetation changed. The trees grew tall, twisted, covered in dark moss. Light grew scarce.
The Black Forest.
Kael slowed. He felt the gazes before he saw them. Yellow eyes, red, white, between the trunks. Wolves. Dozens.
"Don't move," he said.
"I'm not afraid."
"Good."
He descended.
The forest floor was damp, covered in dead leaves. The wolves approached, silent, fangs gleaming. Kael paid them no attention. He set Mera down, then folded his wings.
"Walk," he said.
She obeyed.
A clearing opened before them. At its center, a throne of roots and bone. And upon that throne, Queen Sylva.
She was immense, taller than a man, with half-wild features. Her hair was dark vines interwoven with leaves. Her eyes, of a deep green, gleamed like those of a beast. Her form was generous, her pale skin marked with ritual tattoos. She wore animal hides and necklaces of fangs.
"Demon King," she said in a hoarse voice. "You came."
"Yes."
"With a female."
"With one of mine."
"She reeks of fear."
"No. She reeks of anger."
Sylva smiled, revealing sharp canines.
"Why did you come?"
"One of my scouts died. Torn. Bitten."
"The forest is hungry."
"The forest didn't kill my man. Your wolves did."
"My wolves are the forest."
"Then you are responsible."
Sylva rose slowly. Her body unfolded, powerful, feline. She stepped toward Kael, towering over him.
"You come to threaten me?"
"I come to demand an accounting."
"And if I refuse?"
Kael did not step back.
"Then I will burn your forest."
A growl ran through the wolves. Sylva tilted her head.
"Would you do that?"
"Yes."
"For a single male?"
"For mine. Always."
Sylva stared at him for a long moment.
"You've changed."
"Everyone tells me that."
"Before, you would have killed without speaking."
"Before, I hadn't spent ten years in a dream."
"The dream made you weak."
"The dream made me patient."
Sylva burst out laughing. A deep, wild laugh that echoed among the trees.
"I like you, Kael."
"I didn't come to be liked."
"Then tell me what you want."
"Peace. And respect for my borders."
"In exchange?"
"In exchange, I don't burn your forest. And I offer you cattle. Prey."
"You want to buy my clemency?"
"I want to buy tranquility."
Sylva stepped closer still. She was only a pace away.
"And if I want something else?"
"What?"
"You."
"Me?"
"Yes. A Demon King in my bed. That would be a tribute worthy of the Black Forest."
Kael did not blink.
"No."
"Why? Don't I please you?"
"That's not the question."
"Then what?"
"I don't sell myself."
Sylva smiled again.
"Pity."
She stepped back.
"I accept your offer. Cattle, peace. But if one of your men hunts in my forest without my consent, I will devour him."
"My men won't hunt."
"Then we agree."
Kael turned to Mera.
"You wanted to see the queen. There she is."
Mera looked at Sylva. Her hands trembled, but her voice remained steady.
"My man was a good soldier. He didn't deserve to die like prey."
Sylva stared at her.
"You have courage, female."
"I have hatred."
"Hatred is a form of courage."
Sylva gestured. A wolf stepped forward, a large grey male, its muzzle stained with dried blood.
"This is the one who killed your male. Take your vengeance."
Mera froze.
"What?"
"Take it. Kill him. If you're capable."
Kael intervened.
"No."
"Why?" asked Sylva.
"She is not a beast. She won't kill a beast to avenge a man."
"Then let her weep and leave."
"No either."
Kael placed a hand on Mera's shoulder.
"Let's go home."
"But—"
"Let's go home."
Mera hesitated, then lowered her head.
"Yes, my king."
Kael unfurled his wings.
"We have an agreement, Sylva."
"Yes. Until you break it."
"I won't break it."
"Then go."
Kael seized Mera and rose.
The Black Forest receded beneath them, dense, silent, full of wolves.
"You should have let me kill it," said Mera.
"No."
"Why?"
"Because vengeance wouldn't have brought your man back."
"It would have relieved me."
"No. It would have emptied you."
Mera fell silent.
The Neverdie Realm appeared on the horizon.
"You are a strange king," she said.
"Yes."
"But I will follow you."
"I know."
They returned to the palace.
Peace with the Black Forest was sealed.
For now.