Page 125 of Enchanted Shadows
“Peace is not a one and done mission, as it turns out. Not all of Theon’s loyalists are going quietly into the night,” I explained. “Though with a few more shadow wielders, I’m sure you could help me make that happen.”
It was that exact moment a dragon roar shook the entire castle, effectively ruining my well-planned compliment.
Two men appeared out of the shadows immediately, one of which blurted out, “General Willothorn with a rider.”
All the eyes in the room looked out the window just as black wings swooped down, depositing one rider onto the throne room balcony just before the dragon shifted into his human form.
Keir opened the door to the balcony, smiling nicely at the guard standing there and let himself and the other man on in.
There was only one thing to say.“You’re late.”
CHAPTER 39
“Am I?” Keir grinned as he walked straight for me. “Or am I merely making an entrance?”
“You have wings now,” I said as he hugged me. “You always make an entrance.”
“More guests?” the queen snapped to Kessara.
“I wasn’t aware of these two,” Kessara admitted.
“My apologies, Your Highness,” Keir said, turning to the queen of Agria. “I believe you know General Zaire Willothorn. Or at least know of him.”
Zaire dipped his chin the least amount possible. Of course they knew about Zaire. Likely the good and bad both. I had intentionally asked for these two to be here. Powerful men, men that Damek loathed for that power, but also men who had helped heal them. Men who meant something to Agria.
Keir reached into his pocket the same exact way Calix had in the throne room in Wylan. The swords had only just been put away, a different weapon about to come into play. “I come bearing a treaty. This one of a different sort than the one you declined a few years back.”
The queen looked to the team and Kessara before looking back to Keir. “And it needed to be delivered and presented this day? This hour?”
“I’m sorry to say that yes, it did. You see my sister is not safe in Agria. Her half-brother is conspiring to kill the other heirs to Agria. And being that she isalsoan heir to Wylan, that is, in fact, an act of war to Wylan. Though not entirely familiar with your customs, I assume it is also an act of treason in Agria.”
The queen didn’t even hesitate. “You have got to be kidding?—”
“I tried to tell you,” Kessara interrupted, taking a big step forward. “I tried to get your help. I asked you to see it. You wouldn’t listen then. Wouldn’t take me seriously then.”
“She’s going to have to now,” Keir said politely to her.
“More threats in my own throne room?” the queen’s voice was increasingly getting louder.
“Yes and also no,” Keir told her calmly. “It can be a treaty, or it can be a declaration of war. Which form it will take on will be your decision here today. We have fought hard for peace in the realm, but your son Damek threatens it. Learn from Wylan’s mistakes. My own father murdered blood relatives to solidify his position. Those should be horrors and mistakes of the past. Dra Skor finished a civil war a few years ago centered around the same thing, jealousy within royal bloodlines.”
He didn’t let her say a word as he plowed on. “Imagine my surprise when I found, first of all, that I had a sister, second of all, that she was being used and hunted by her brother. You have three healthy heirs right now, Your Highness, but if Damek Zavatari takes the throne, if you fail to remove the biggest threat to Agria’s welfare yourself, then the rest of the realm will be forced to do it for you. In likely a permanent manner.”
You could hear a pin drop in the throne room, all of us in varying shades of shock. Keir knew how to do this dance well, a delegate riding the fine line of motivating the other side to seethings differently, but without insulting and infuriating them. It was the same skill he’d possessed which led him straight to Esta’s talons.
I was damn glad he was on our side.
Keir continued on, “Likewise, this treaty will stand in place and no one from any of the four countries shall grace your shores, so long as Damek Zavatari never rules Agria.”
Two beats of silence and then absolute chaos erupted in the throne room. Damek was standing and yelling at Kessara. Yelling to anyone who would hear that she just wanted the crown herself and this was all her doing. The king was trying to calm him, and the queen was calling for guards to get the team of women out of there. Calix had come out of whatever area he’d been hidden in and reached the thrones.
I moved to protect Kessara, standing between her and anyone else who dared to approach.
Wren slid in next to me. “I don’t want to leave Kessara.”
I didn’t know how I could allow her to stay when guards were moving in to remove them.
Keir leaned over and said to me, “Have the queen and Kessara had a chance to speak yet?”
