Free Iron Crowned by Richelle Mead

come to speak with you, Your Majesty. You’re worried about the war. You want to end it.”
    “How do you know that?”
    She spread her hands out. “I am a seeress. I sense things that are, sometimes things to come. I also offer advice.”
    This chased a little of my fear away. “Seeress” was a fancy way of saying “psychic,” as far as I wasconcerned. When you dealt with the supernatural as often as I did, you ran into a lot of so-called psychics. Most were frauds, and I suspected that was as true among gentry as humans.
    “Have you come to offer me advice?” I asked wryly.
    Masthera nodded, face grave. “Yes, Your Majesty. I’ve come to tell you how to end your war—without any more bloodshed.”

Chapter 6
    I glanced around uneasily. I knew there had to be guards on watch in the garden and wondered what it would take for them to come tackle a crazy old woman. Unless she openly jumped me or something, I had a feeling I was on my own.
    “Unless your power extends to some kind of mind control over Katrice, I don’t see how that’s going to happen,” I said finally.
    She crooked me a grin. “No, that’s not a gift the gods have chosen to bestow on any of the shining ones. Even they know the limits of mortals.”
    I pulled the robe more tightly around me. Seeing as I couldn’t sleep, I might as well humor her. “Then what’s your plan?”
    “You need to find the Iron Crown.”
    “The what?”
    “The Iron Crown.”
    She said it in a grand, ominous way … one that really deserved an echo chamber to give it its full effect.
    “Okay,” I said. “I’ll bite. What’s the Iron Crown?”
    “An ancient artifact. One worn by the greatest, most powerful leaders in the shining ones’ history. Leaders feared by all, who ruled many kingdoms.”
    “I have a crown. A few of them.” Only one was my official “crown of state,” but designers had crafted me others to coordinate with my outfits.
    “Not like this one,” she said.
    “Let me guess. It’s made of iron.”
    She nodded and looked like she was waiting for me to be impressed.
    “Sorry. Like I said, short of mind control power, I’m not going on some magic object quest. My life is already like a
Dungeons and Dragons
campaign.”
    Masthera frowned. “Dragons haven’t lived in the Otherworld in centuries.”
    “Forget it. Thanks for the, er, advice, but I’m not interested.” I shifted uncomfortably. “I should really get to bed.”
    Masthera leaned forward, undaunted. “You don’t understand, Thorn Queen,” she hissed. “Only a few are capable of completing the tasks required to gain the crown. Most would not even be able to wear it.”
    That was easy to figure out. “Right. Because it’s made of iron. I don’t think an ability everyone already knows I have from being human would be that impressive.”
    “Queen Katrice would think so. Many of her people would too. Her armies might revolt. She herself would be afraid and back off.”
    “All because of the reputation of a crown that doesn’t have any power?” I asked skeptically. “Where is it?”
    “Far away, in a place unknown.”
    “Oh good grief. If no one knows where it is, then how am I supposed to get it?”
    “That’s part of the challenge. Find it, and you end the war.”
    I eyed her carefully. “If this is such a great idea, why not bring it to Dorian? Your king?”
    “He knows of it,” she agreed. “He’s old enough to remember the legends. But he couldn’t wear it. Only you.” Now she eyed me carefully. “Your father sought it—and failed.”
    I stiffened, my voice turning to ice. “Is this part of the prophecy? Some way of marking me as the conqueror’s mother? Is it something I’m supposed to give to my hypothetical son?”
    “No,” she said. Her demeanor turned humble, but those eyes still looked shrewd. “It is merely a means to help you end your war.”
    “I’ve heard enough of this ridiculousness.” I stood up. “I’m going to