Page 214 of Lady of Ashes

“Revenge,” Tarek purred.

Talwyn sat up straighter, her hand dropping to the armrest. “Goon.”

“The Maraan Lords and your own endeavors are aligned, my queen,” Tarek said, his entire attention focused on Talwyn. “The war that was fought centuries ago did not cease. It simply paused.”

“Avonleya ran and left behind their allies,” Talwyn said.

“Indeed they did,” Tarek agreed. “And they should pay for notonly that, but everything they have taken and kept from this continent.”

“What do you mean taken and kept?”

His gaze slid to Azrael. “They took kingdoms that do not belong to them.” His stare shifted to Ashtine. “They possess gifts that make them superior in every way and use them to force others beneath them.” His eyes resettled on Talwyn. “They took parents from children, children from parents, and they keep others out to protect what never should have entered our world. What endangers our entire realm. That is why the Maraans came in the ?rst place, Talwyn. They did not come to ignite a war. They came to retrieve what started the war to begin with. What sought sanctuary here and instead brought bloodshed. Your revenge is justi?ed. Let me help you obtain it.”

“You are wrong,” Ashtine cut in, her tone edged. Talwyn looked at her to ?nd her glaring back at Tarek, papers ?uttering lightly nearby.

“Wrong about what?” he asked.

“About all of it. Revenge being justi?ed. The Avonleyans. Everything,” she replied.

“Then please. Correct me,” Tarek said, gesturing with his bound hands for her to speak.

She turned pleading eyes to Talwyn. “The winds would not lie to me, Talwyn. You know this.”

“You have said the winds abandoned you,” Talwyn said icily.

“They have. Because I chose loyalty to you over them. Because you are against them.”

“The Avonleyans?” Talwyn sneered. “Not too long ago you were against them, too. Or have you forgotten?”

Ashtine shook her head, the air around her becoming more intense. “I have not forgotten, but you have forgotten whom we come from. Who granted us our gifts.”

“I was not born to serve the Avonleyans,” Talwyn snarled.

“No,” Ashtine agreed, “you were not, but they are not who blessed the Fae or the Witches or the Shifters. If you are angry with someone, it should not be with the Avonleyans. Their kingdom is as innocent as your own.”

“Bullshit,” Tarek spat, but a vine was quickly winding around his throat, silencing him. Talwyn glanced at Azrael, who was glaring at Tarek.

“Who should I be angry with then, Ashtine?” Talwyn asked, turning back to the princess.

“Must you be angry with someone? Can you not see that the Maraans are just as destructive as you believe the Avonleyans to be? They sacri?cechildren, Talwyn. Innocent children to achieve their ends,” Ashtine cried. “If you side with them, you are simply trading a make-believe villain for a real one. Only you will serve the latter.”

Ashtine stood then, a wind portal appearing to her right. “You are leaving?” Talwyn asked, jolting to her feet.

“I am tired,” Ashtine conceded. “And I have already debated the merits of this with you more times than I can count. I have sacri?ced much to prove my loyalty, and still you push for more. I have nothing left to give.”

With that, the Wind Princess stepped from the study.

“Release him,” Talwyn said to Azrael, her voice monotone, as she lowered back to her seat.

The vines disappeared from Tarek’s throat, and he sucked down air, glaring with so much malice at Azrael, Talwyn could practically reach out and touch it.

“Tell me, Tarek,” she said, “how did you manage to hide such distaste for your prince for so long?”

“I am very patient, Talwyn. You know this,” he replied. “It took time and patience to gain the trust of the Assassin Lord, to learn the secrets I now know.”

“Apparently ten whole years,” she gritted out.

“Speak with me privately, Talwyn,” Tarek urged. “Without your Second and Third here to whisper in your ear.”

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