Emira's fingertips were resting on the edge of her tea-saucer, and as Neria spoke, frost touched their edges, traced in wisps along the ceramic.

"This power, then, it is involuntary? It responds to your wish, rather than being drawn with purpose?"

Though the Queen's face gave nothing away, she looked somewhat more pale.

She paused again.

"And it drew you here, to Kell?"