Copper Veins by Jennifer Allis Provost

alone. Now I was officially freaking out—Micah was not one to break engagements, least of all with me. Before I could summon the silverkin and commence a countywide search, Micah himself stumbled through the bedroom door.
    â€œWhere have you been?” I demanded.
    â€œDealing with the ramifications of your sister’s refusal to pledge to Oriana,” he rasped. There were dark shadows under his eyes, and his voice was rough as if he’d been arguing for hours.
    â€œDid you go back to the Gold Court?” I asked.
    â€œI had to,” he replied. “My choices were limited—either return to the Gold Court and speak with Oriana directly, or have her warriors descend uponthe manor.”
    â€œWhy didn’t you take me with you?” I didn’t want to be upset with him, but I couldn’t help it. I mean, I was Micah’s wife now.
Wife
, not some stupid consort! This was my business as much as his. Would he ever see me as his equal?
    â€œI wanted you to stand beside me,” he replied. “Believe me, I did. I came to this room, intent upon telling you to make ready to meet with the queen, but when I saw you asleep in our bed, so peaceful, nothing in this world could have made me disturb you.” Micah paused to yawn, then added, “You are beautiful when you sleep, Sara.”
    What girl could argue with that? I held out my arms, and Micah tumbled into my embrace. “Was it that bad?” I asked as I brushed back his hair and kissed his forehead.
    â€œYes.” He coughed, and rubbed his throat. I called for Shep and asked him to bring Micah some tea with honey.
    â€œSo, are we in trouble?” I asked, while the silverkin scurried off.
    â€œSomewhat.” Micah rubbed his temples for a moment before he continued. “A fair few agree with your sister and consider Oriana unfit to rule. Those of copper would like to see Sadie on the throne.”
    â€œYou saw them?” I gasped. We’d suspected Oriana had forbidden others of copper from contacting us, though they still had managed to send gifts. In fact,our atrium was overflowing with them.
    â€œA few. They are Sadie’s staunchest allies.” My heart swelled at that, but what Micah said next pretty much quashed it. “Then there are the rest.”
    â€œThe rest?” I repeated.
    â€œBefore Elementals were ruled by factions, there was a royal family,” Micah began. “Their lineage was recorded on a single charmed document, but it has been stolen. Apparently, it was stolen by those of copper.”
    â€œWhy would someone steal it?” I wondered.
    â€œThose of copper claim that they stole the scroll because it substantiates Sadie’s right to rule,” Micah continued. “Those opposed to copper claim that copper stole it because it refutes her, and they wish to hide the fact. Until the scroll is located, no one will know.” Great. The only thing everyone agreed upon was that those of copper were a bunch of thieves.
    â€œThey’re hanging all of this on a dusty old scroll?” I asked. “I mean, anyone can write up a scroll, put Sadie’s name on it, and charm it. Seems like something that Oriana’s opposition would try, too.” Shep chose that moment to reappear beside us and deliver the tea to Micah.
    â€œThank you,” Micah said as he sat up, accepting the teacup from the silverkin. Shep bowed and scuttled off to disinfect something. “Let me have my tea, and I will tell you more.”
    I watched Micah sip the hot beverage, all the whilepractically jumping out of my skin. Were we going to have to go into hiding? Again? Was there anywhere left to go? Then Micah set his teacup on the side table and took a look at what I was wearing.
    â€œBeautiful,” he murmured, caressing the lavender satin that covered my hip. “You remembered.”
    â€œI did.” Then I was in his arms, and I all but forgot about the crazy