Page 18 of The Kingdom's Reckoning
"Demands?" Rian hissed. "All we asked for was asylum."
Ellie huffed and flicked her hand in the air. "You are still alive, are you not?"
Myra’s gaze darted between the two. She had the urge to step in, to prevent the dispute from worsening. But what good had that done when she had interfered with Laurince and Graeson’s argument?
"Thatis your basis for refuge?" Rian implored, eyes wide. "What kind of hosts are you?"
"The kind that cannot help but see the coincidence in your arrival and Domitius' declaration!"
"Enough," Cetia demanded.
Ellie sunk back in her chair, although not before glaring at Rian.
"That matter is already settled," Cetia said, continuing. "Tetria has always been a safe place for those in need, and it will continue to be one as we head into this war. Due to the current situation, we will grant you asylum. The three of you will no longer be viewed as prisoners. Your rooms have already been prepared. However, for the protection of Tetria and those who reside here, my guards will keep a close eye on you during your stay."
Myra’s shoulders sunk in relief, but she seemed to be the only one. Rian continued to glare at Ellie as the Tetrian offered him a saccharine smile. Meanwhile, remnants of anger still drifted off Laurince in waves. At least neither of them were vocalizing their contempt.
"With that out of the way," Cetia said, "let us move on to the matter that needs to be addressed with haste. As most of you are aware, Queen Esmeray has requested that the Pontians return to their home on the grounds of treason."
Myra’s eyes widened. She looked at the Pontians, but where she expected to find a semblance of fear wafting from them, she only found annoyance.
"Doesn’t the declaration change things?" Kallie asked.
Cetia tapped her long black nails along the table. "I cannot say. Esmeray is in her right to demand her people’s return."
Dani shifted, leaning her elbow on the table and resting her chin atop it. "Esmeray is as stubborn as all three of her children," she said, eyeing Kallie and Terin.
The pair pursed their lips, a disagreement forming. However, neither one had the chance to refute the claim before Dani continued.
"Esmeray will still want us to return home, and we should. While I do not believe she will deem us traitors, we need to be ready for the coming war. My soldiers need to be ready."
Terin opened his mouth, but Dani held up a hand. "Do not even say it," she said through her teeth.
"You don’t even know what I was going to say," Terin argued.
"That if a war is coming, I shouldn’t be leading the charge because of mycondition."
Terin rubbed his neck. "I—I wouldn’t have said it like that, but…"
"I’mpregnant, Terin, not sick," Dani said, rolling her eyes. "I can still lead."
Myra’s mouth fell open. On instinct, she looked to Kallie for confirmation, and Kallie immediately met her gaze. For a moment, it was as if they were back in Ardentol, overhearing gossip. But unlike those times, a crash of grief smacked into Myra rather than surprise or joy.
"I never said you couldn’t," Terin stated. "I’m only trying to look out for you."
Dani hummed in disbelief. "The point is, it is in all of our best interests to return to Pontia."
When the meetingwas over and the people filed out of the room, Myra had fully expected to hear the clang of the chains, despite the Queen’s reassurance that they were no longer prisoners. Myra had been a prisoner for so long that feeling safe was a strange sensation. Even when she was on the run with Rian and Laurince, paranoia weighed her down and made her steps heavy. While some of that anxiety still existed, there was also an ounce of relief for once.
Around her, conversations stirred to life from those leaving the meeting. Their voices were merely noise in her ears, though, her wayward thoughts consuming her. Myra wasn’t sure where she was going, but she knew she needed to keep moving. Everyone seemed to have something to do, somewhere to go, something to prepare for. The Pontians were already making arrangements for their return to Pontia. While Domitius had claimed Myra’s parents were from Pontia, Myra did not think Kallie or the others would want her to join them.
Even Rian, who the others had persuaded not to return to his kingdom yet, seemed to have a sense of purpose.
Myra chewed on the tip of her thumbnail as she walked down the hall aimlessly, her thoughts wandering beyond the castle’s wall. Someone called out, but Myra kept walking, her feet continuing forward. Whoever it was did not need her.
For nearly a decade, Domitius had dictated her life. Who was she now that she wasn’t Kallie’s handmaiden? Now that she was no longer a servant to the king?
"Myra, hold on a moment."
