Page 89 of A Kiss of Hammer and Flame

Cahra exhaled. It was a good question.

Commander Tyne spoke. ‘The two rulers have always desired Hael’stromia’s weapon first and foremost,’ he said slowly. ‘It’s the primary reason for the war.’ He looked at Cahra. ‘In the event of an exchange for Thierre, I find it hard to believe they’d kill you.’

Not straight away, she thought. Thelaema didn’t have to say a word into her mind. Cahra could feel the Oracle’s eyes on her, and the ferocious glare said everything.

Tyne continued on. ‘They’ll need you to get inside the capital, to access the weapon.’

‘But if they try that with Thierre, he’ll be discovered as a fraud.’ Cahra steeled herself. ‘Which is why I have to go. Even if he plays along, that act can’t last forever.’

She inhaled deeply, trying to get a sense of Hael’s powers. Would what was left be enough for her next move?

‘And then?’ Thelaema demanded. ‘When the Reliquus is freed?’

You mean, when Atriposte and Decimus have no use for me any more?Cahra smiled.With any luck, Hael will escape from his tomb and rip their heads off.

Thelaema’s irate reply was unintelligible as she threw her hands up and stalked out, shaking her head and cursing as she left.

Wyldaern slid Cahra a glance, before going after her. ‘High Oracle!’

With the Seers, her main dissenters, out of the room, Cahra sunk into a leather chair. The same one she’d perched on her first time in this room, she realised.

‘You would really do this for us? For him?’ Queen Avenais sat, legs drawn to her, the skirts of her brocade gown enveloping the woman like a fine blanket as she hugged her knees. She looked less like a Queen and more like a forlorn little girl. ‘Why?’

Sylvie and Raiden were both watching Cahra.

‘It’s as your General said, Highness. The Prince would do the same.’ She’d been so angry with Thierre, but it was the man he was. Thierre’s talentwaspeople, and bravery. Cahra’s talent had been shirking both.

If it came down to who should survive out of the two of them, Thierre had done far more for the realm than she had. Even if he’d had a lifetime to do so.

A lifetime he’ll continue to have, she swore. King Royce was surveying her, and the determination in her bearing. Finally, he nodded.

Tears filled Queen Avenais’ eyes. ‘Luminaux will be ever in your debt.’

Cahra nodded blankly in return, no words left. Thierre had got her out of Kolyath. Now it was her turn to free him from it. Even if it sent her back into its clutches.

And the Steward’s.

Gemstones.Her fingers tightened on the arms of her chair.Hematite, tourmaline, jet. Hardest, blackest jet…Her breaths quickened, each one feeling harder, faster than the last.

The door to the room creaked open then, as Wyldaern returned, Thelaema in tow. Cahra’s eyes were closed as she thought to the Oracle,I refuse to argue with you any more. I’ve made my decision and I intend to act upon it.

Soon.No matter how much it terrified her.

‘And how will you get word to Kolyath and Ozumbre of your proposal with the haste we need?’ Thelaema asked the question aloud so Luminaux’s royals could hear.

To Cahra’s surprise, Wyldaern was the one who answered. ‘You could, with a vision?’ The Seer turned to face Thelaema. ‘A message to Steward Atriposte and King Decimus.’

King Royce’s haggard face brightened. ‘Is such a thing possible?’ Maybe he’d been doing the same as Cahra and no doubt Raiden, weighing how long Thierre had been gone with how long the Prince might have left.

Whatever the people in this room were going to do, they’d better hurry.

Thelaema looked as if she might renounce her apprentice, her gaze an amethyst abyss. But she grated out, ‘It is. And the terms?’

‘Thierre, for myself and the Key.’Unhurt,Cahra thought at the Oracle. She prayed it wasn’t too late to demand such a thing.

It is.Thelaema’s words clanged through her, slamming into Cahra with full force. She felt the air go out of her.I shall amend to ‘unmaimed’.

They’d hurt him. Hael’s powers trembled at Cahra’s fingertips, wrath within her reach.

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