Page 67 of A War of Three Kings

“Even if you change your mind, turn your back on this war and lock yourself in your fortress, Lord Desmond will come to the North anyway. He will start by taking my sister, and end by beating the entire North into submission.”

The room falls deadly quiet at those words. I glance at Keira from the corner of my eye. Her chin is held high and her shoulders are straight, but her foot taps incessantly under the table. I know she blames herself.

“I have fought against a mad king before,” I say, drawing all eyes to myself instead of Keira. “From my experience, the excuse they give for going to war never really matters, because war is inevitable with a king like that. Whether it is over land they believe they have a right to, imagined treachery, an insult or a woman, they always find a reason to have a royal tantrum or ten.Thatis exactly what this is.”

Edmund gives me a long, calculating look. “Tell us, Aldrin, of the fae forces you can bring to this war and what their abilities are.”

I lean back in my chair. “I have ten members in my personal guard who have already pledged to fight in this war. We predominantly have the power of earth creation. If there is life in a thing, we can grow it, sculpt it and bend it to our will. We can form rips in the ground by tapping into the organic matter trapped there, force rockfalls and earthquakes at a low scale. Not even I could bring these mountains down on an invading army, but I could catapult boulders one at a time into their masses. I have two people who can wear wards of invisibility. We have abilities with water and can flood a river. My small band can only do so much, but I can pledge more fae if you allow them to cross into this realm.”

Hushed whispers erupt in the room.

“More fae?” Lord Tomas looks like he will faint.

“How many more?” Countess Lynna raises her voice over the rest. “Will they make the same bargain as you?”

“What incentive do all these fae have to fight in our war?” Lord Adalwolf says. “You say there are no strings attached, but nothing is for free.”

Edmund half stands, raising his hands. “Okay. Okay. Give the man a chance to speak.”

“Oh, there is definitely something in this for us fae of the Spring Court.” I smile at each of them. “We want to open trade talks, and we cannot do that without North Strathia strong and free. See this as a gift of friendship, before the negotiations begin. What better way to get to know each other?”Silence meets my words, so I continue. “In answer to your question, Countess Lynna, my brother-in-law, Lord Cyprien, can arrive with thirty to fifty more highly trained fae soldiers. He will make the bargain.”

Someone lets out a long, low whistle, and the High Priestess bristles beside me, but says nothing.

“I became very well acquainted with Lord Cyprien during my pilgrimage,” Caitlin chimes in, “and I couldn’t recommend his character and expertise as a commander more highly.”

“It is my recommendation that we take Aldrin up on his offer.” Edmund glares at each of the lords and the countess. “We desperately need whatever advantages we can grasp.”

The entire room holds its breath for a few heartbeats before pure chaos breaks out.

Everyone yells over the top of each other. Some have arguments across the table, pointing and spitting at each other. Lord Tomas stands, and his mouth works like that of a fish, but I cannot make out the poison that pours from it. The Countess Lynna has her head tipped toward her occasional lover’s, Lord Bradford nodding as she speaks.

I lean back in my seat, fold my arms over my chest and smile at the mayhem playing out before me. I will get my way, I’m sure of it. The gods know I need Cyprien at my side. Maybe it is selfish of me to drag him into this mess too, but he’ll answer the call to war eagerly. He needs a battle to shed some of the fury darkening his soul.

“Okay! Okay! We need more time to process the idea of recruiting more fae,” Edmund yells over the council, and they all fall quiet. “Let’s move on to the next topic. Mother, if you could give us an update on the priestesses’ work?”

The old spider doesn’t miss a beat. “I have sent priestesses to every corner of the kingdom, large cities and small towns alike. We travel far and fast through the portals that connect our sanctuaries. The word is being spread that King Finan plans to kidnap a Mother of Magic to be his possession. That he is marching his army to tear her out of a priestesses’ temple. We have preached to them that this is an assault on all Mothers ofMagic. A sacrilege. The common people rely on us for healing more than anyone.”

Naomi runs her fingertips rapidly across the tabletop, her long nails clacking rhythmically.

“There have been large protests in every city, especially the capital. Southern vigilantes have formed bands that attack the king’s supply trains, slowing him. While they may not stop the king, it will make the other noble houses wary of joining him.”

They speak of foreign nobility and lands. Of who may side with Finan and who may ignore the call. It seems like the ruling power of this kingdom is more of a negotiation than an iron fist.

I can’t help watching Keira as the meeting progresses. Her features are pulled tight and her teeth grind audibly. She is blaming herself again for that bastard’s choices.

I will have to tear those thoughts out of her. I will worship her until she knows her worth again. Until she forgets her own name.

Chapter 17

Keira

Arage like a summer thunderstorm whips through me. I shouldn’t have to go to war because I said no to a man. Because I wouldn’t allow him to keep using and abusing me. Finan doesn’t get to touch me just because he is a king. This war isn’t my fault. Is it?

“I would love to know what you are thinking, so I can end whoever put that frown on your face,” Aldrin rumbles in my ear, his breath tickling my skin. It sends a shiver of anticipation down my spine.

“I was thinking that Finan is a waste of life,” I grind out.

“Something we can both agree on.” Aldrin laughs. I don’t know how he is in a good mood.

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