Chapter 3It had been four weeks since the king’s death. Thea was becoming increasingly irritated at being kept in the shadows. She had scarcely had a chance to call for any kind of political meeting at all, be it with nearby tribes or allies further to the north. Her councilmen insisted she needed time to grieve, which was true—but that time had passed. My husband will not return ever again. What good will my grief do me—and what good will it do my kingdom? They did not yet see her as the proper ruler. This place was still Arkon’s Ios in their minds.
Since the councilmen seemed determined for her to be isolated for the time being, Thea had been spending much of her time digging through the late king’s letters and records. She sat in an office filled with shelves full of scrolls. The desk
