The Ascension by Kailin Gow

and coolness about him that Gem suspected might have made people mistake him for a rock star back on her world. The newcomer wore a sword at the side of his dark armor, and wore a sword at the side of his dark armor, and moved with the sort of fluid grace that suggested he was probably deadly with it. He gave Rio a cursory glance before looking more closely at Gem.
    “It seems our task went better than I could have hoped,” he said, in neat, control ed tones. His smile reminded Gem of the edge of a glacier. “I was worried we might have to be out here for days.”
    “Who are you?” Gem demanded. “What do you want?”
    The man curtailed her questioning with a shake of his head.
    “Al in good time,” he promised. “For now…” He gave a series of short orders to his men, and they sprang into action, taking Rio and Gem back to their camp only for the time it took to dismantle it with brisk efficiency. In just minutes, it was as if they had never been there, for al the traces that were left behind. Their leader stood by Gem throughout it, keeping a hand on her arm in a relaxed but definite grip that made it clear she wasn’t going to be able to run off.
    “You know,” he said, almost conspiratorial y,
    “they weren’t nearly this quick setting up. I think the presence of a beautiful woman has encouraged them to show off.”
    Gem ignored him. One of the other men brought a black horse around, holding it while the leader mounted. He reached down and, as casual y as if she had weighed nothing, seated Gem in front of him.
    “A wolf and a queen in one swoop,” he said.
    “Back to the court, al of you. My aunt wil be pleased, for once.”

Chapter 12

    How long the journey continued after that before she found the courage to speak, Gem did not know. Certainly, it was a while, because the landscape disappeared under the steady thrum of the horse’s walking gait. Rio wasn’t mounted, but instead had to walk surrounded by Winter Court knights. Although Gem was too far away to spot the acrimonious look in his eyes, she could guess at its presence. It was enough to prompt her into speech, and she turned so that she could see the face of the warrior riding behind her.
    “You said that you were taking us to the court.
    Which court is that?”
    “You can see our insignia, Queen of Anachronia.” There was a hint of irritation in it. “That we are heading for the Winter Court should not be too hard to work out from that.”
    So, he knew who Gem was then. She should have guessed as much when they first caught her. Of course, if he knew that, it gave her options. Gem drew herself up as best she could while seated on a moving horse, doing her best to look regal y aggrieved .
    “If you know who I am, then I demand that you release me and my friend. Treating a queen like this is an affront , and I would have thought your manners would be better.”
    The fairy knight behind her shook his head.
    “Can you real y believe that?” he looked like he might laugh, but didn’t. Instead, his gaze lingered on Gem for several seconds. “I suppose my manners have been less than impeccable .” He reached down, and Gem found her hands freed. It was an improvement, though since she was al too aware of the presence of the man behind her on the horse, it wasn’t like it presented a real opportunity for escape.
    “I hope that is better?” he enquired, with only a faintly mocking note to show that he could guess what Gem was thinking.
    “A little,” Gem al owed. “Now, who are you?
    You lead, and you are from the Winter Court. You are their king, perhaps?”
    Gem knew that the odds on that were low, but it seemed as good a way as any to flatter her captor.
    Heaping on the plaudits might be just what was needed to persuade him to be helpful. This time, the fairy man did laugh.
    “Hardly. The flattery is appreciated, but I am no king. I’m not likely to become one at this rate, either. I am Devon, knight of the Winter Court, and