Page 98 of Princess of Death

“You are very different from your predecessor.”

“I was forced into this position. I take no delight in it. When victims seek my services, most of the time, I try to dissuade them.”

“Most of the time?”

“Some of them are evil…and deserve what comes to them.”

The world continued on around us, the living mourning the dead, oblivious to the two gods who spoke in their vicinity. Now, smoke replaced the flames, billowing up to the sky and being carried away on the air. Riviana stood before me, her anger toward me significantly diminished the longer we spoke. “I’m sure the Covenant will come to regret their decision.”

“My debt has been paid, and I’ve asked to be released…but they refuse.” I needed to accept there was no escape from this existence, that I would do this job forevermore because eternity had no end or no beginning. But every time I looked at Lily, it just became harder. Harder not to imagine another chance atlife. Harder not to imagine being her husband and the father of her children…living in that villa near the oak tree.

Riviana said nothing to that for a while. “Do you regret it?”

“My wife was married to my brother in less than a year. She believed I was leaving her for someone else so easily. It makes me wonder if there were feelings between them all along.”

“I hope that wasn’t the case.”

“I let my sons believe I didn’t love them. I regret that every single day of my life.” It had been an impossible decision to make, and perhaps I had chosen wrong.

“Bahamut was vile. The memory of him still makes my skin crawl.”

“He got what he deserved in the end…thanks to Talon Rothschild.” I resented his freedom and the full life he lived, but I still respected him for the man and king he was. I didn’t just try to spare his life for Lily’s sake—but because I wanted him to live.

“Talon Rothschild is a good man. And I think you are as well, Callum Riverside.”

My eyes hardened on her face. “No one has called me that in a long time.”

“That’s who you truly are. Who you’ve always been. Perhaps it’s time that Lily knows it too.”

16

LILY

I sat in the grand hall at the wooden table with my great-aunt and uncle, still in my uniform and armor, dead tired but so devastated I couldn’t sleep or eat. Survivors of the battle attended to the wounded or put out the fires. No one chased the Barbarians in their retreat, leaving the dragons to burn them on their journey back to their ships.

Queen Eldinar stared at me, her once-pristine white armor now marked with soot and my father’s blood. “Our minds are not connected, but I feel your sadness like they are.”

My eyes had been on the corner of the table, examining the etching in the wood. “I’m worried about him.”

“With the protection of the dragons, he’ll remain on this side of the veil. Perhaps he’ll heal on his own over a long period. Or perhaps we’ll find something to aid his recovery. I assure you, your father will return to you.”

I lifted my chin and looked at her then at my great-uncle across the table from her. “I need to bring him back to the Southern Isles.”

“It’s probably best if he stays in Riviana Star?—”

“I won’t leave him behind. My mother will want to be with him, but she will be bound by her duty to us and remain behind. The tension will break her neck. I can’t do that to her. Also, the dragons live in the Southern Isles. I can’t have them all stay behind and remain separated from their families.”

She gave a nod. “I suppose you’re right.”

“I’ll have to send him by ship.” He couldn’t fly, and if a rope binding him to Khazmuda snapped, he would drown in the sea.

“That’s probably for the best. Have the voyage guarded by dragons. His finest men will volunteer to ensure he returns to his throne.” A flower crown rested on the table, but she didn’t wear it again. The flowers were far too pretty for her war-torn appearance. “I suspect that’s not the last we’ll see of those creatures that align themselves with orcs.”

“They’re called Barbarians.”

“How do you know this?”

“Because I encountered them on my sea journey. Their ships are covered in gold, but somehow they don’t sink.”

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