“To attack may be a greater risk if they do not intend to betray us,” Kole stated, eyes slicing to Edmond. “I saw them on the walls of her city, archers. They had not been there when we first took control of the Bavadrin capitol, and yet somehow, they have gathered there now. They were good enough to regain control from our soldiers, injuring them if needed, but without killing. If those archers are a fraction as talented as the old stories paint them to be, then we would lose many of our own in an attack now. And for what purpose? Just to flex our muscles. Ariana knows who we are, and that we are capable of kindness. She will not turn her back on that.”
“She has burrowed into your mind, poisoning it,” Edmond stated flatly.
Kole shrugged. “In a way, perhaps she has, but the poison there was my own. She helped to clear the fog created by my mind. Someone who can show that kind of patience, to care enough to help the male who is keeping her prisoner, is someone worthy of my faith.”
Iver scrutinized Kole a moment before his features smoothed, and he again took on a casual and relaxed demeanor. “Well, that settles it. She will be free to decide her future without our attempt at forcing her hand.” He then turned to me. “Unless you disagree?”
“We will wait and see what happens,” I stated.
Edmond’s eyes grew wide, as if he could not believe what was being said. He had not expected Eislyn and Kole to both agree with me. “You have spent far too long with this Bavadrin, brother. She has clearly wormed her way through your brain. Have you forgotten the entire reason she was here? That our sister is out there somewhere while we sit here entertaining protecting some enchantress!”
A growl rumbled through my throat. “Mind who you are speaking with,brother. For I am first your King.”
“She needs to be killed, if not for our sister, then to free you all from her spell.” Edmond seethed.
“If not for our sister?” Iver exclaimed with mocking surprise. “Spirit knows Iona is a troubled soul. But I doubt our sister would desire the blood spilled from an innocent girl in her name. Especially one who may yet be a powerful ally.”
“You truly agree with him?” Edmond looked at Iver while pointing a thick finger at me. It took all my strength not to reach out and snap it in half.
Iver shrugged indifferently. “If you are looking for a brotherly vote on this subject, then I am afraid it’s looking like itwould be a draw. But we do not vote in such manners. OurKingdecides.”
Somehow, Iver and I found ourselves on the same side of something. He likely enjoyed watching Edmond crumble from the situation he found himself in.
When had Iver decided to give the Bavadrin such a benefit of the doubt? I heard Ariana and him speaking that night when they slept by the fire outside the tent after her Ascension. He did not torment her, nor did he show any aggression towards her. On the contrary, they seemed to genuinely have enjoyed each other’s company. Was it possible that they found an odd friendship in one another?
“Ashes, she has completely wormed her way into your head too!” Edmond exclaimed.
Iver laughed, which only further fueled Edmond’s anger. “The only person who could handle being inside this impressive skull is me.” He tapped his head with a finger. “My brilliance is too powerful. It would turn any other brain to mush.”
Edmond stood abruptly, his chest rising and falling in quick succession. “I’ll take care of this Bavadrin witch as we originally planned.” Without waiting for a response, he flew across the room, fully prepared to track down Ariana and end her life.
“Edmond!” Jorn called out in warning, which was not heeded.
“Brother,” I spoke with a deathly calm.
Edmond broke his march, wavering just enough to hear my words.
“If you take another step, then I will see it as a challenge for the throne.” Though my voice was low, the weight of the warning riding on my words was heavy enough that it felt as though I had yelled them.
Edmond froze.
The King’s decision was not to be defied, and I had decided. Acting against my desires at this point was a challenge for thethrone itself. And if it came down to that, then it would end in his death, for never again would the option of an exile be viable. Not after the last one led to the problem we now had with Hedrek and his followers living in the mountains.
Edmond spun around on his heels, facing me. “You choose that little sorceress over your family?” he yelled, angered by the invisible shackles he thought I had just put him in. But those shackles had always been there, tied to a rope that at first was held by our father, and now me. He was never free to decide such things.
“I choose not to unnecessarily ruin innocent lives,” I stated.
“What of our sister’s innocent life?” He was blinded by rage, unable to see the complete picture.
“I intend to find her, but I refuse to do it through the murder of someone not deserving of it. Our forces are still growing and in training. Preparing to defend our home from two fronts. Once they are ready, we will reach out to the Bavadrins to request access to move through their lands, and then we will attack the Sidhe. The goal is still to free our Lysians and our sister. That has not changed.”
Edmond did not respond, and for an entire ten seconds, we simply stared at one another while he fumed within. His hands balled into fists that he was powerless to throw.
Through clenched teeth, he finally spoke. “May I be excused?” It was about time he remembered his place in this family.
“You may, but I do not want to hear another word of attacking the Bavadrins if they have done nothing to provoke such a response. This is the last we speak of this.”
“Fine.” He turned on his heels and marched out, taking most of the tension in the room with him.
