Page 17 of Oath of War
‘Really? Maybe you should meet my friend Bryna,’ I quipped. Both the pain and her attitude had grated on me. ‘I can show you just how bold I can be if you don’t relinquish my fae. So I ask again, politely. Please, Your Majesty, as one woman to another, release my mate.’
‘And if I don’t?’
‘Then I will request the presence of Vahin and use conduit power laced with dragon fire to change your mind,’ I said, surprised by the satisfied smile that transformed her face into a breathtaking work of art.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Ormond shift his stance, his jaw clenching, and I hoped he wouldn’t throw himself at the fae ambassador just when the empress’ smile hinted that we were getting somewhere.
‘What is your name and affiliation, mage?’ she asked, snapping her fingers and gesturing at a woman wearing a veil. ‘Heal her. I don’t want her bleeding out before we finish our conversation.’
‘Annika Diavellar. I’m of the Primal Order, and my element is fire,’ I said, nodding to the healer when she approached me.
I didn’t trust the empress, but I wasn’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth if this could keep me conscious a few moments longer. When the healer’s fingers dug into my wound, it took all of my strength to stay upright and hold back an agonised sob.Another fucking test, I thought when the empress’s eyebrow lifted as I refrained from screaming.
‘Alaric’va Shen’ra is a fugitive of the dark fae court who killed his compatriots, including a member of the royal family, to escape. He also released a malevolent spirit in the palace catacombs, a former dreamwalker that drove several warriors to madness. Some even took their own lives to escape the nightmares. That doesn’t even include the charges that put him there in the first place. Alaric was to be tried for his part in Roan’va Shen’ra’s betrayal and the subsequent war,’ the empress stated before nodding toward her captive. ‘You want to save your mate, but I want justice for mine.’
‘His part? What part could an unfledged youth have had in creating an undead monster and starting a war? If we’re apportioning blame, then who was it that sent Roan’va Shen’ra to appease that insane mage in the first place? Alaric is a victim of this insanity as much as anyone, and you, instead of blaming the person who betrayed his people, tormented a son still grieving his dead mother. You disappoint me.’
The sound of a dozen swords being drawn drowned out the murmuring of the surrounding crowd as the dark fae soldiers reacted to my words. Only Valaram nodded approvingly before turning his head to the side, trying to hide a smirk.
‘You would risk starting a war for this criminal?’ she asked, waving a hand toward Alaric.
‘Would you risk one to kill him?’
Footsteps sounded behind me. I didn’t turn, assuming Orm was joining me, but to my surprise, it was Reynard who stood by my side.
‘Why fight a war with each other when a common enemy threatens us both?’ he asked.
‘So you will not object if I deal with my subject as I see fit? Despite the objection of your kingmaker?’
‘Give me an army to fight the Lich King, and I won’t.’
I sucked in a hard breath as Reynard’s words punched me in the gut. I looked up at the man who was actively betraying my trust and met his apologetic eyes.
‘I’m sorry. One life for the lives of the kingdom? If it was mine she demanded, I would still agree.’
The empress thought for a moment before speaking. ‘That is wise. I will consider abiding by the terms of our two nations’ treaty. Could we discuss the details in more pleasant surroundings?’ she said, extending a hand and dismissing my presence as she waited on the new king’s response.
Reynard stepped forward, a confident statesman’s smile on his face, but stuttered to a halt as Orm burst into action.
‘Enough!’ Orm bellowed, pushing towards Alaric, but my attention was firmly on Valaram, who’d been staring at me since I’d started arguing with the empress.
‘There is always the Dark Mother’s mercy. If Lady Annika is willing to face the trial,’ he mentioned nonchalantly, butsomething in his posture felt odd—as if he was testing me. The empress’ head snapped in his direction.
‘That is for blood-bonded dark fae only. Humans can’t appeal for the trial.’
Noticing her angry expression, I realised how much it irked her and eagerly leapt at the opportunity.
‘I agree to this trial. I call on the Dark Mother’s mercy,’ I proclaimed loudly enough that Reynard flinched, Alaric gasped, and Valaram looked at me with a small half-smile and an expression I couldn’t decipher.
‘Do you even know what you are requesting?’ the ambassador asked.
‘I have no fucking idea, but if it saves Ari, then I’m all for it,’ I responded in kind. As soon as I spoke the words, the net around Alaric’s body loosened, and Valaram bowed to his empress as he spoke.
‘Domina Tenebris, even you cannot go against Dark Mother’s will.’
‘Annika, it’s a trial by combat. You have to fight for the privilege of begging for the Dark Mother’s mercy. It’s just a way for the empress to look merciful while still executing those that defy her,’ Alaric said, straining to be heard, but I huffed, ignoring the desperation in his eyes, before I turned to the empress.
‘So, Your Majesty, if this trial is such a hopeless task, can you trust in the judgement of your goddess? Alaric submitted to me. I can go through any test you desire in order to prove I’m blood-bound to him,’ I said, using the strategy Valaram had moments before. ‘I have one request, however, if you’re willing? If I survive, will you still fight with us against the Lich King?’
