Page 94 of The Eye of the Fifth
Naal paused before admitting the truth. ‘It is.’
Therion nodded slowly. ‘If I consent to this alliance, I want him back in my service. And you will never voice your opinion on the matter again.’
Naal’s jaw tightened. ‘That decision is not mine to make, Therion. If Kano chooses to serve you again of his own volition, so be it. But I will never condone the slavery of a Warden.’
Therion rose from his chair. ‘Then there will be no alliance and I wish you the best of luck in the wars to come.’
The pot of simmering frustration boiled over as Naal slammed her hand on the table. ‘You would doom the world to fire for your own selfish power? Azar is dangerous, far more than you realise.’
‘The Empress is little more than a child compared to you and I, Naal,’ said Therion indifferently. ‘Let her have this little war. She will not last long.’
‘You are a fool if you believe that age equals power,’ Naal cautioned. ‘The cogs of war are already in motion. Phaenon city is decimated. If you could see the devastation, you would understand-’
‘With all due respect, Naal, had you been present at the time of the Fire Warden’s attack, your people would not have suffered,’ Therion boldly stated. Naal’s blood went cold. ‘You failed to protect them, instead doing what you do best, sticking your mighty nose into situations that do not concern you.’ He smiled then, picking up his goblet. ‘How is the young Earth Warden, by the way? Do extend my congratulations… what a Goddess-sent miracle she is, I am sure you will agree.’
Naal could not remember the last time she had felt so angry.
All she could do was glower at the king, seething yet silent, for the fight in her was fading with every word that escaped his arrogant mouth.
Because part of her, the relentless, guilty part that still had its phantom grip around her heart, knew he was right.
Therion’s real eye glinted with warning. ‘Nothing happens in Blythtrie without my knowledge, Naal.’
Naal rose slowly, not daring to speak until she was sure her voice would not quiver. ‘It is clear you have made up your mind, so I will not waste any more of my precious time trying to convince you otherwise. But know this, Therion: Azariscoming. Whether you think she is young and incapable or not, she is coming. And I pray that when she does, that your people do not suffer as mine already have. I pray that when flames rip through your city, that you will finally see sense.’
The King of Loros merely smiled, and it sent a shiver up Naal’s spine. ‘I already do.’
???
Kyra
When Kyra had imagined seeing the capital of Loros for the first time, she hadn’t anticipated spending most of the trip hiding in a steel box of a house. Maressa’s hospitality had been second to none, but after reluctantly sipping on what felt like the twentieth cup of rank tea as they sat waiting for Naal to return, she was about done with staying inside the Astaveron’s oppressive home. And by extension, Blythtrie itself.
So, it seemed, was Naal.
She’d briefed Kyra on the meeting with the Lorish King when she’d finally arrived back at the house, though Kyra had the feeling she had not divulged everything. Naal was quieter than usual, brooding almost, as they sat later that night at the beaten dining table, sharing a pot of fruity tea that Kyra had found hiding at the back of the cupboard behind rows and rows of Maressa’s disgusting favourite.
Both Selwyn and Maressa were working in the city at the fisheries, catching and deboning countless fish by hand so the affluent fae had fresh produce the next day, without having to get their own hands dirty. A sweet note had been scrawled by Maressa and left on the sidefor Naal, inviting them to eat and drink as much as they wanted in their absence, and promising a fresh-cooked breakfast in the morning.
Though they would return to an empty home.
Naal was eager to leave, and honestly, Kyra felt the same. Maressa was exceedingly generous (if not slightly overbearing), and Selwyn hadn’t said one word to her at all in Naal’s absence.
Breaking the troubled silence, and somehow knowing that Naal was replaying the meeting with the king in her mind, Kyra asked her quietly, ‘You don’t think Azar got to him first, do you?’
The light of the gaslamp centering the table cast flickering shadows on Naal’s face as her weary eyes met her own. ‘It’s a disturbing thought. But I would like to think that even Therion has more sense than that.’
‘Well, I haven’t even met him and he sounds like a senseless cunt,’ Kyra said blandly.
As it always did, the vulgar language brought about a smile on Naal’s face, though it was gone soon after. ‘To ally with Azar would be to relinquish his own throne. Therion is far too proud to allow her that dominance over him, no matter if he does sympathise with her cause.’
‘You said his military is immense,’ Kyra said. ‘Would it not be better just to submit to his terms if it ensures we have the upper hand?’
Naal shot her a side glance. ‘I wonder if you would be saying the same if it wereyourfreedom being bargained for? If the Governors of Avaldale owned your life, just to form an alliance against Azar?’
Kyra considered it. Imagined being tied to that bumbling idiot Oswald and his cronies, forced to use her Warden magic forthem.The very people who had tried to execute her without a second thought.
Then she remembered Oslan. What she had done, what she had promised to ensurehisfreedom. ‘I would do it,’ she said without hesitation. ‘If it meant winning the war, if it meant Azar’s reign was ended… I would do it.’
