Page 123 of Shadows and Roses

Castien shook his head again.

She continued, "Mm. And Nadraken. They like their games, as do my nobles. What game might they be playing here?"

Arrows whistled in his mind. "War is hardly a game."

"Everything’s a game."

"Not to me." The words slipped before he remembered that he had no idea what he was talking about.

She glanced at him sharply, then turned back to her board. "And not to the people. You’re—"

Heavy bootsteps interrupted her.

Trishve marched in. "It wasn’t any of the other nations. The damned rebels attacked us!"

Following closely behind her were two guards dragging a shouting Damon.

"No, we— Take your hands off of me! We did not!" Damon scowled as the guards sat him down across from the Queen. "We had nothing to do with this!"

Octavius, Darius, and Kevam were right behind them. Kevam, at least, was not restrained. Castien stepped back as they all crowded the table.

The burly healer stomped up. "Did you know about this? Did you plan this?"

"They arenotmy people, I swear. I would not attack my own people!" Damon was nearly shouting.

Octavius pressed, "But they claimed to be rebels. You were there—you heard them."

"I don’t control every faction. Most of them, but not all. There’s a small group—and hopefully, those attackers were all of them—they were angry about my takeover from the previous leader."

"You never mentioned this before," Anais said, her tone cool.

"I didn’t think it was important. They were only perhaps thirty in all."

Castien offered, "I knew about the coup. I didn’t think it was relevant either."

Anais' frown didn't lighten. "Identify the bodies and the prisoners. Tell us who hasn’t been captured or killed."

"As you wish," Damon growled as he strode out of the room.

Castien watched her. He watched and was useless because he had never belonged at the side of a Queen.

Kevam approached from the corner. "My Queen. We truly did not know about this attack. He would have told me. If I may, I have a request concerning the prisoners."

She raised her brow.

"Am I correct in assuming they willbe executed?"

She inclined her head.

"Allow them to join us in the army instead. We will keep them under control. It would help convince the people that you are capable of mercy."

To Castien’s surprise, she nodded again. "Very well. We'll need to make a show of it, but I'll see what I can do. After we have the names."

"Thank you, my Queen." Kevam looked out into the hall but didn't leave. He took another breath.

"I apologize for Damon's anger. I swear we had nothing to do with this." Then he bowed and left.

The room’s mood seemed no lighter for the rebels’ absence.

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