My heart raced. The back of my throat ached.
I taught you better than this, daughter,my mother’s voice swept through my mind.How could you let him talk to a Royal daughter in such a manner?She scolded.How could you fall for his traps so easily?
“Always so eager to throw out threats, orphan boy,” William tsked. “I was merely sharing my appreciation of young love.”
Would his army follow my orders were I to murder William right now?
“Did you invite us to waste time, William?” I said instead.
Barren eyed me as though seeing me for the first time. “Why, yes.” He looked surprised. “I merely wished to see you, dearest, given I don’t see how you can be of any help—”
“Do you always talk so much?” Ash’s voice broke through the space, interrupting Barren at once.
Barren eyed his new opponent, looking them up and down. “And who are you?”
“Ash.” They stretched their hand towards Barren in greeting before changing their mind as William attempted to grab it; his face reddened with embarrassment when his hand met empty air. I struggled to contain my amusement. “I came here to speak on behalf of Faris’ army,” Ash added.
“An army!” Barren mused. “You heard them!” He turned to Tamira and the man I still didn’t know the name of. “They have an army,” William chuckled. “What do you need me for then?”
Every pair of eyes turned to me. I filled my lungs before executing my memorized speech: I only had one chance, and I could not waste it.
Please be the fool I think you are.
“I came to collect what remains of the Royal army, along with what remains of yours.” I rested my arms on the table. I learned a long time ago: the only way for Barren to agree to anything, is he must feel as though it was his choice all along. And, oh, how I loved playing that game. “I am the last of Royal blood standing, both armies are now rightfully mine, and I am entitled to take them in a time of need.”
Tamira’s eyes flickered to mine; the men, however, stayed silent.
I knew I wouldn’t be able to convince William of my newly made up title, yet uncertainty still shone bright in his eyes.
Francis bestowed me with a swift glance, mere amusement written on his face that Barren and the commanders were oblivious to.
“Need I repeat myself?” My voice cut through the air before the room erupted in predictable laughter.
“Oh, Cordelia, you are a joy to my ears today,” Barren said through his exasperating chuckle.
“As the last of Royal blood, the armies in your current possession are rightfully mine,” I stated. “You claim hold of the Royal army, and yet made no progress beyond these walls. You do not stand a chance without our help, and you know it. You saw what happened at the palace,” I said just as calmly, facing all three of them. “The human armies are better off in our care.” The gray haired man’s laugh cut short at my words as he cleared out his throat, facing me.
“And how could we ever trust a vampire leader, such as yourself, after you had left the palace to fend for itself?” the man asked; a small crease appeared in between his brows. “Where are the guarantees you will not leave us like you left them? Where are the guarantees you are not using the human armies as shields to save your kind?”
“We have explained ourselves already.” Roxanne answered before I could. “The deal was not yet sealed.”
“Remember that while Wurdulacs are coming for us all, the human fate will be far worse than that of vampires,” Simon added.
The grayhaired man paled, glancing at William, whose mouth was finally sealed. It was Tamira who spoke, “Trusting vampires is a pathway to the grave.”
“Facing Wurdulacs alone is a pathway to the grave,” I countered. “You used to be one of Martin’s seconds,” I narrowed my eyes on Tamira, remembering where I’d seen her before. “My mother appointed you a few years ago.”
“She did.” Tamira nodded.
“She spoke highly of your skill and mind,” I lied, for Mother had never spoken to me of anything regarding politics, unless it had required my assistance. Though, I was sure those were Tamira’s characteristics, given her rather young age at her time of appointment. “You must realize the rationale in our words, then. You do not stand a chance without our assistance: it’s best to join our forces. And as the last of the Royal family, I have the right to demand such an outcome.”
“Enough begging.” Barren topped off his drink once more. If my plan failed, perhaps he would get himself drunk enough to agree to our proposition. “It is rather tiring and, quite frankly, pathetic, dear.” He sipped on wine. “I see you are so desperate that you are willing to use a title that you no longer possess to your advantage, despite the disgrace you are putting onto yourresting parents.” He smirked, walking straight into my trap. “So I will offer you a different deal, since I am feeling rather generous.”
“Which is?” Ash rolled their eyes, fed up with his unnecessary speeches.
Barren licked the wine off his lips, staring me down. “I will support you in this war, and the human armies will fight alongside the vampires, but!” He pointed his index finger upwards. “Iwill remain in command, and once this war is over, the Royal army will join mine completely. The crown will have no say in the matter.” Barren took a sip of his drink. “You will also supply us with Royal steel weaponry,” Barren replied.
Oh, William, you are so predictable.
