Page 130 of The King is Dead
We were about to make history. And he couldn’t even crack a smile?
But I felt it in him, the creeping dread—not for himself, but for me. He was terrified that I’d be hurt or worse. And I loved him even more for it.
The room went quiet as everyone chewed that over. Diadre caught my eye from the other side of the table, and I saw pride and thrill in her gaze too—but fear right alongside it. Jhonas, who’d spent the last fifteen years training me for this, looked green around the edges, as if he might be sick.
“Perhaps… perhaps this could be the back up plan?” Jhonas said quietly as discussion rippled around the room. “Perhaps we could try emissaries first—you said they came willing to help.”
“They made an attack on the Queen. Those are no emissaries,” Turo growled. “Who brought them through the Shadows, anyway? That person is a traitor and—”
“They weren’t escorted,” Melek growled. The hair on the back of my neck stood up.
“Bullshit,” Turo insisted.
“Jannus isn’t a liar,” I hurried to assure them. I couldn’t let them become hostile. “Thisteamcame for Melek, believing he was in danger. They now understand who Melek and I are to each other, and our roles in this nation, and theirs. There will be no more attacks.”
“You brush off an assassination attempt like someone stole a horse!”
“No, Turo,” Melek muttered. “She humbly puts aside her pride for the good of those under her care.”
I looked up to meet his eyes. My stomach fluttered. But Melek’s eyes didn’t look any more relaxed than Turo’s. He was doing an amazing job of backing me up, but I could feel his apprehension.
He’d agreed to this plan, but he did not like it.
“There’s no time left for political jockeying,” I said, brushing off my leather-clad thighs under the table. “And besides, have you forgotten there’s no center of power with whom to negotiate? That’s why we have to go. To establish Melek’s reign, and use it to bring them under control.”
“My people will destroy anyone in their path—including each other,” Melek said solemnly. “Unless I lay claim to the throne and establish dominance, they will eventually come for Yilan and this land. My comrades bring news of what is going on among the Nephilim. It’s clear, there is no more time. We must move now.”
Turo looked at me, then Melek. The two men stared at each other for several seconds, then Turo cleared his throat and nodded.
A moment later, he’d quietly asked Jhonas to gather the officers for orders, and blow the horns—which meant he’d deploy the ranks.
“Turo,” I said, pushing to my feet. “No, no—this can’t be a marched advance. It can’t haveanynumbers behind it. Melek must arrive in the swamps with his brothers and me…only.”
“I am aware,” Turo said tightly. “But we can prepare our troops and have them in position so they can be called easily and—”
“No,” Melek said firmly. “This group, at least, have infiltrated the Shadows of Shade. I doubt any real numbers could come through, but we know at least a handful can—”
“There’s no possible way they made it here without a spy, one of ours protecting them!”
“We will find out,” Melek growled, diverting everyone’s attention. “Regardless, the Nephwilltry to encroach on the Shadows. Even if they don’t make it through, if they catch wind of Shadekin soldiers near the border they’ll be alerted—”
Turo slammed a fist down on the table. “You’re both tying my hands at a time when it is my job to protect you!”
Melek tensed, but I put a hand on his arm to soothe him, and straightened myself, taking a breath to give everyone a minute to calm.
“Turo, you have been an asset to my crown since I took the throne, and a servant to my family since my years as a child. I know it is your way to fight, and to prepare for battle, but this is a war we must fight differently.”
His brow furrowed. “What possible way is there to fight withoutfighting?”
“Melek and I will fight if it is needed. But it isyouI spoke of.” His face hardened, but I rushed on. “I still need your help. Just… on a different front line.”
Turo frowned in confusion, and I felt Melek rumbling behind me. We hadn’t discussed this, only because I hadn’t thought of it sooner.
“Coronate Melek before we leave,” I said simply. “Then stay here as our Governor. Lead this land as we know you can in our stead. And when we return, we will honor you for it.”
Turo’s mouth dropped open and everyone in the room went utterly still.
49. The Warrior’s Call
