Page 123 of A Queen This Fierce and Deadly

“If you do this, it is a declaration of war.” Verdion was trembling now.

Rythos spared him a single glance. “This is the reason you decided I was too much of a threat to be able to live here, isn’t it, Father? I do so love being able to prove you right.” He turned to the others. “I have a suggestion.”

“What kind of suggestion?” one of the men asked.

“I think we should help my other friends.”

“Yourotherfriends?” Jealousy smothered the man’s question. My stomach swam.

Rythos grinned. And even without the power dripping from it, it was an impressive grin, his teeth very white against his dark skin. “Yes. I’m hoping, one day, we can all be friends. But for that to happen, we need to share.”

“Share?”

“Yes. Remember the ships I asked for?”

Slowly, methodically, Rythos guided them through what he wanted. His power didn’t completely replace their will. No, that was Vicer’s power. But now that the council members each considered him to be their best friend, they were willing to listen to what he had to say. They were willing to think logically and to put their political aspirations aside. They cooperated with one another because Rythos asked hisfriendsto work together.

I felt the threat of his power, but he was being very careful to keep it focused away from me. And yet I couldn’t allow myself to relax, couldn’t seem to kill my instinct to prepare to defend myself.

The use of so much power was costing him. A bead of sweat appeared at his temple, signaling the strain. I couldunderstand why. Rythos had to ensure these people would want to cooperate even after we left the island.

Verdion’s eyes were bulging, but he seemed to be unable to speak, as if it was taking all of his power not to be swept away in Rythos’sfriendship. But he was the only one who had any such immunity. Horror flickered across his face as he watched his council vote unanimously for the Arslan to join the war.

“You will pay for this,” he hissed through his teeth.

“Likely I will. Cheer up, father. You’re getting what you wanted. After all, this was what you always feared. The reason you never trusted me. I’m pleased I could prove you right.”

“Never return,” Verdion gasped out.

One corner of Rythos’s mouth kicked up. “Once this war is won, I have no plans to.” He turned to the general. “We will meet to discuss our approach within three hours. Gather anyone who should attend such a meeting.”

Turning, Rythos stalked out, ignoring the council members who implored him to stay.

My hand was shaking as I closed the door behind me, following him out. I’d seen him use his power on Regner’s guards at the castle, but this…

He was ignoring me, his strides long as he slammed open a door. I followed him inside what looked like a series of rooms for guests. Within a moment, Rythos had disappeared through another door, and I stood in the entryway, heart pounding.

Retching sounded. It went on and on as Rythos vomited, the sound broken only by what sounded like rough sobs.

I strode to the window and stared sightlessly out at the city, grinding my teeth. Prisca should be here. I wasn’t exactly someone who knew what to do or say under such circumstances.

Finally, what felt like hours later, Rythos stepped back into the room. He strode toward the window where I stood, and with every step, the lines of grief carved into his face faded, until his expression was carefully blank.

“Are you…”

“I’m fine.”

I nodded, returning my attention to the city below us. If he wanted to talk about it, he would. I wasn’t going to push him.

We stood in silence for a long time. Long enough that my feet began to ache. Perhaps I should leave him alone.

“Prisca was my first true hybrid friend,” Rythos said, and I almost jolted at the suddenness of it. “She wanted nothing from me except friendship. The kind of woman she is…the loyalty she exudes…there are very few things I could do to lose that friendship. And I would never risk it.”

“She is annoyingly persistent, isn’t she?”

His mouth twitched. “That’s one way to describe her. Once, when Lorian and Prisca first met—when they were still at each other’s throats—Lorian implied to her that I’d used my power on her.” I shook my head, and Rythos laughed. “Yes, I should have known then that they were mates. The move was so beneath him. So utterly unlike the man I knew.”

“He’d never done such a thing before?”

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