Page 92 of A Kiss of Hammer and Flame

It was Thelaema, accompanied by Raiden. Piet must have sensed the tension rippling between Cahra and the Oracle, for the warrior dipped his head and withdrew. Cahra lifted the ebony handle of her hammer and twirled it as Raiden and Thelaema neared, the great-hammer’s gems dancing weakly in the overcast light of morning.

‘Any news?’ Cahra didn’t look at Thelaema.

‘I have contacted the rulers of Kolyath and Ozumbre,’ she replied.

Cahra tried and failed to swallow. ‘And?’

‘As per your terms, an exchange has been negotiated.’

Cahra exhaled.Unmaimed, she reminded Thelaema.

Unmaimed, the Oracle confirmed.

The thought still sent a pulse of outrage through Cahra, but it seemed it was the best they were going to get.

She forced a breath down. ‘What do I need to do?’

Raiden glanced at Thelaema, then spoke. ‘The King of Luminaux has decreed it: our Royal Army marches for Hael’stromia tonight. Commander Tyne and General Sylvanir are strategising as we speak, while our host moves for the exchange point. Today, you may rest, then we depart the kingdom at nightfall. The trade will take place at the capital.’

So this is it, Cahra thought. She was finally going to Hael’stromia.

To Hael.

Cahra nodded. ‘How far is it?’

Raiden cleared his throat, taking in her sombre tone. ‘A night of riding.’

She nodded numbly again. ‘Okay.’

There was a strained pause, before Raiden stepped up to face her. His eyes were soft.

‘What you’re doing is incredibly brave,’ the Captain said, placing a hand on her shoulder.

What you are doing is incredibly stupid, Thelaema muttered into Cahra’s mind.

Ignoring her, Cahra tried to smile but couldn’t. ‘So long as it works.’

It was Raiden’s turn to nod. ‘We ride together. Now, I must prepare the Royal Guards, but if you need me, send word. I will be there,’ he told her, and Cahra understood. She had Raiden’s trust and his support, now.

He turned to go, leaving Cahra alone with the Oracle.

A wave of Thelaema’s hand, and the door to the yard slammed behind the Captain.

‘Have you completely lost your mind?’ Thelaema ground out, each word cracking like a whip.

‘You’re just mad you’re not making all the decisions,’ Cahra shot back.

‘Thierre is a Prince! Even if something befalls him, Luminaux still claims a King and a Princess. Their kingdom’s stability shall remain. Whereasyou,’ Thelaema chastised her, ‘are irreplaceable. You are the last of Kolyath and you have no successor!’

‘So what?’ Cahra threw up her hands, sick of the Oracle’s uncompromising attitude. What did any of this matter when Hael’stromia was still an inhospitable smudge on a map? ‘What exactly happens if I die, Thelaema? Won’t the prophecy just roll around again, with some other Scion at the helm next time? Maybe even someone from Luminaux?’

‘I do not know! Yet I will tell you what I do,’ Thelaema warned, advancing on Cahra. ‘The vision that I was granted before I lost connection to the All-seeing predicted everything that has come to pass. Every single thing. No matter how you wish to be rid of this,you, Cahraelia, and all that you bring, even if you despise it, are what I saw!’

‘I told you, it’sCahra!’ she yelled. ‘And if what I bring is such a damn gift, then you should have no problem with how I use it!’ Why was the woman so bent on controlling her?

‘Foolish girl, do you not see? You could die at your idiotic exchange!’

‘Somehow, I think you would’ve seen that,’ Cahra retorted.

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