Page 111 of The Princess Knight
He could think like Kordislaen.
A skill he had once prided himself on now doused him in shame. But it was useful all the same.
Why would Kordislaen sabotage the mission?
There was no possible way for Scáilca to benefit from the mission failing. If it wasn’t for Clía, Niamh, and Dornáin, Ronan and MacCraith would be dead. It was a miracle they hadn’t all died on the mission.
Unless that had been Kordislaen’s goal.
He didn’t want Clía at Caisleán, that was clear.
But what if MacCraith was right? What if he thought the six of them were no longer useful to him? If he wanted them gone, he could have sent them on a suicide mission. It would be an easy way to remove them without drawing suspicion.
It wasn’t the full explanation; too many pieces still missing. But the second Ronan thought it, the theory was impossible to ignore.
***
CAISLEÁN WAS FULL OF NOISE AND MOVEMENT. THETinelannian and Ionróiran troops outnumbered them, and they couldn’t count on waiting for reinforcements if a fight was on its way to their door. But this was Caisleán Cósta. They could hold their own.
As Ronan raised his hand to knock on Kordislaen’s door, it opened.
Despite the early hour, the general was dressed for the day. His hair was neatly combed against his head, and his clothes held not a single wrinkle. A voice in Ronan’s head, eerily similar to Clía’s, had to commend him on it.
Ronan’s chest ached. Now was not the time to think about Clía.
He straightened his shoulders. “Good morning, sir. I’ve come to see if you have a moment to speak.”
Kordislaen didn’t stop for him. “My day is scheduled to the minute, boy. If you have something to say, come with me and make it quick.”
Ronan nodded and followed him down the hallway.
“I haven’t seen Clía around. I was growing concerned.” He tested the waters. “Have you heard anything?”
Kordislaen didn’t falter. “I don’t have time for childish games. I know you spoke with her last night. If you have questions, ask them, but don’t waste energy that could be saved for more useful endeavors.”
If Kordislaen didn’t want to waste time, Ronan wouldn’t. Still, he remained careful with his words. “Why did you dismiss her? We need all the warriors we can get.”
“She’s a princess, not a warrior. Her safety was at risk if sheremained here. And if she died under my watch, under the watch of the Draoi? The whole kingdom would pay for it,” Kordislaen said.
This could have almost been believable—the only other high-ranking royal left was Domhnall, who was in his home kingdom and therefore less of a political risk—if Ronan didn’t know the details of Kordislaen and Clía’s conversation.
He stopped in the middle of the hallway, grabbing Kordislaen’s arm. “Were you protecting her when you called her pitiful? When you told her how you were using her for her title?”
Before Ronan could move, a dagger was pointed at his neck. “Remember your place,Captain.” The title was poison in the general’s mouth.
Ronan didn’t shy away from Kordislaen’s blade. They faced each other in the center of the hall. People paused—curious or afraid, Ronan didn’t know. One look from Kordislaen sent them scattering.
Kordislaen’s dark eyes bore into Ronan’s. He lowered his blade, and Ronan dropped his arm. “I understand you feel something for this girl, and I admire your loyalty, but your attempts at nobility are misguided and futile. Remember who has really been there for you, who supported you throughout your years of training.”
Ronan’s jaw tensed.
His debt to the general suddenly felt more like a cage than the key he always used to see it as.
“While I’m sure her telling of our conversation was exaggerated, I will admit that the situation with the princess was unfortunate,” Kordislaen continued, and Ronan held back a scoff.Unfortunate. “Her position and her title were helpful for me, yes. You can’t blame me for doing what must be done. If that truth hurt her, that’s not my fault. Duty neglects compassion.”
Ronan’s gaze never left the general. If Kordislaen thought he could wave away Ronan’s anger with a few careful words, he didn’t deserve the respect Ronan had given him his entire life.
The man stepped back. “Come with me,” he said, leading Ronan into an empty room.
