Hurt and anger boil inside me. My king’s crypt should be elevated above the rest, adorned with his favorite flowers, and the statue that pays tribute to who he was should stand tall and powerful. This isn’t how I wish to honor the man who broke the mold set in place by each ruler in here. He was the first to see Khiros and Cyffreds as equals. Micah was extraordinary, and they were all one in the same.
I walk through the gate that protects the catacombs with Kyron at my side, his fingers wrapped around mine. As the cryptkeepers eased Micah’s casket into the tomb, our hands found each other, and we haven’t let go since. I’m not sure if he is looking for solace for himself or wishing to give it to me, but it doesn’t matter. He is with me, seeing me through one of the most painful moments of my life and that is all I can ask for.
“I’ll make sure his crypt is finished the way it should be,” Kyron says as we climb the stairs out of the catacombs.
I almost ask how he knows what is bothering me, but he squeezes my hand and it’s clear. The array of emotions I’ve felt today have been intense. I wonder how he can stand to touch me when I’m so sad and angry. It can’t be easy for him to experience what I’m going through when he is sorting through his grief as well.
I run my thumb back and forth over his palm, hoping it offers him some comfort. “Thank you, Kyron.”
“You don’t need to thank me. I would do anything to lessen the pain you feel, and it’s my privilege to honor Micah.”
“I’m sure your mother will be pleased. She even went out of her way to not attend his burial,” I say, my tone dripping with contempt for the queen.
He stiffens and his hold on me wavers. We have spoken little abouthis mother other than her tactics for ruling. I’ve made clear my hatred toward everything she stands for. I’m pretty sure my disdain for the woman matches hers for me. I’ve never guarded my thoughts about her around Kyron, but I question if I took it too far this time.
We step into the stone-lined back hallway of the sanctuary. Black doors lead to the meditation rooms and bronze light fixtures illuminate the way. The soles of our shoes tap against the shiny onyx floors as we continue to the tunnel that leads to the palace. Kyron walks faster, putting some room between us and the others. “I didn’t want to say anything while you and your family were dealing with the loss of Micah, but we have a problem.”
My life as queen was never destined to be easy, but I’ve only held my station for less than a day. I don’t think I can handle another issue after the tragic events I’ve endured. But complications will never yield just because my life is spinning out of control.
“Is this about what your general was discussing with you when we arrived?” I ask.
“It is. I’m requesting a military strategy meeting.”
“Right now?”
He runs his palm down his face and says, “I’m sorry, but this can’t wait.”
“What is going on?”
“The Allaji attacked Stigian during the battle in Lucent today, and they took my mother.”
“Shit. You should have said something before now.” Guilt rushes through me. I hold no sympathy for Esmeray, but I hate to think I’ve added to his pain today. “I’m sorry.”
He shakes his head and his jaw flexes. “We can only deal with one issue at a time, and now we have to figure this one out.”
When will this day end? Every additional problem feels like a blow to my mental state. It grows fragile with each new hurdle, and I fear it’s only a matter of time before it snaps in two. I can’t let that happen right now. Not when so many are depending on me. I take this new dilemma and pile it on top of the others. I’ll carry them all. I do it for my family, my kingdom, Kyron, but I mostly do it for myself. Despite the pressure, I’m still standing and proving I’m stronger than I thought.
Minutes later, I’m pacing Kyron’s office. Tall bookshelves line one wall, packed with military strategy guides and history books. Two chairsface each other before the cobblestone fireplace, and a map of Pliris hangs above the mantle. Everything is dark, rich woods and soft leather. It’s not surprising that his workspace reminds me of my father’s.
My father, Borin, Greer, and two of Kyron’s top military experts file into the room. Kyron sinks into the high-back chair behind his desk, and says, “I apologize for calling this meeting when so many of us here are mourning the loss of your king. If I could put this issue off, I would.” He explains that the Allaji made their way into the city in human form, posing as Stigians going to the sanctuary for a power amplification ceremony. As the attendees made their way up the dais to the waters infused with the Posseda, the Allaji attacked. They shifted into their animal forms and took the queen from her throne.
The news doesn’t surprise my father and the others who were here when the Allaji struck. In fact, I can’t help but notice that he shows little remorse for what happened to the queen. I’m sure he feels the same way I do. She deserved it.
“Do you have any word on whether Esmeray is alive?” Greer asks from the chair across from Kyron.
“There’s no evidence to lead us to believe she is dead,” says the general Kyron first spoke with when we arrived. He is a lean man with deep lines in his cheeks and forehead and golden hair with patches of gray above his ears. “The prince has deployed scouts to find the trail the Allaji took. We will work day and night until we locate her.”
Kyron shifts in his chair, clasping hands on his desk. “I believe the Allaji are looking for leverage. Perhaps they wish to trade the queen and the others for a plot of land. It will place them closer to us, make it easy for us to learn to trust them. And when our guard is down, they will take both of our kingdoms.”
I stop in my tracks and pivot around to face the room. This news couldn’t come at a worse time. What happened to Micah is too fresh and my anger sears through my bloodstream like a wicked living thing. “You said it yourself at the beginning of all this, the Allaji are not looking to negotiate. They want war.”
Kyron releases a long breath and nods. “I did say that. But?—”
“I’m not negotiating with them. They will get nothing from Lucent!”
The room falls quiet and embarrassment creeps through me. I don’t want to do this. I don’t want to use my status to get my way. But I can’tconsider giving in. They have taken enough, and I’ll be damned if they get so much as a square inch of our land.
Borin speaks up from the chair next to the fire. “This is bigger than just Micah, Raelle. The Allaji are holding your soldiers captive, your friend, your personal guard.”
