Page 33 of The Queens and the Kings
“Plotting what? Revenge?”
The word issued.
Barely.
“Of course. After one thousand years, you’d want revenge, too.”
He smiled. “Yes, I do.” His fingers ground into a fist at the thought ofrevenge. Yes, yes he understood the desire very well.
She shifted uneasily. “They’ll try to return to their former home.”
“The Westlands?”
“Yes. The Wyvern Kings destroyed their own lands and created the Greater and Lesser Isles during the final battle against the Siren Queens, so one would imagine they’ll want to vanquish the Siren Queens and take the Westlands for themselves.”
The former Arcanist of the Sea had given an unsuspecting Pedr a blunted sense of immortality when he pawned his powers off on him. No food, sleep, drinking required. Breathing was a suggestion, mostly, though he requiredsomeair. His body still felt pain, but it didn’t require healing unless the abuse was significant. He had limits, naturally. Including a five-hundred year life span. He couldn’t leave his blasted ship, but that wasn’t an Arcanist’s curse.
Not at all.
That curse landed firmly in the lap of the Siren Queens.
Arcanists could be overpowered, but it would require a Siren Queen or Wyvern King. Technically, another Arcanistcouldkill him. More likely, though, was imprisonment. Using arcane so powerful he couldn’t escape.
Like the Wyvern Kings.
Pedr deftly avoided the other memories these topics dredged up by pointing out the obvious. “We can’t stop the Wyvern Kings.”
She laughed.
“But,” he continued, “would you recommend we help them?”
“No.” She spoke so firmly, her irritation so baldly obvious, Pedr almost smiled. “Stay away from them, Pedr. They’re nothing to you.”
“If they want revenge on the?—”
The curse stopped him.Siren Queenslay unstated, but heavy in the air. His nostrils flared with the effort of holding his irritated shout inside. Shite, but he hated . . .them.
“Siren Queens,” Himmel finished for him. “Yes, I understand your motivation. But doing something stupid by involving yourself in this battle will only get you in deeper trouble. Her, too.”
The words reverberated.
Her, too.
He wanted to say,she couldn’t possibly be in any further trouble,but those clogged as well.
“The Wyvern Kings are friends to no one, and they’re not trustworthy,” Himmel stated. “They wouldn’t be likely to align with you for any reason, Pedr. None at all. Not even to defeat the Siren Queens. They are as jealous of power and hungry for revenge as you would be, if not more.”
“Impossible.”
She leaned closer, eyes like flint. “During their battle, the Siren Queens destroyed the Wyvern King leader, the King Father. He was a very powerful wyvern named Riven. Arguably, themostpowerful, if such a thing exists. His loss led to the wyverns succumbing during the last battle. For one thousand years they’ve been forced out of their home, mourned theirleader, lived amongst humans, and away from the arcane. Their quest for revenge exceeds yours by fathoms, Pedr.”
“Assumptions.” He clicked his tongue. “They get you into trouble, Himmel.”
Coldly, she said, “They would use you, then kill you. Don’t try it.”
“Would they destroy the Westlands in their bid for revenge?”
“I assume destruction will be part of their plan. Utter desecration of the Siren Queens makes the most sense, if it’s possible. We’re still not sure they can be killed. Annihilation of the land?”
