The emperor’s jowls jiggle as he scrutinizes me from head to toe. “You praise your woman for what she has done, for going against our creator’s laws?”
The women at his feet straighten. The curiosity written on their faces prove that they’re intrigued to learn my answer.
I slide my hands in my pockets and pace the front of the dais. “Answer me this: which of your wives is your favorite?”
“I do not favor one over the others. They are each precious to me.”
“What if I told you that one of your wives sacrificed everything for you? She defied the Statera and gave up her status in this court so that you might rule another day. Not only did she give up everything she loves and holds dear, but she would do it again without question. She has no regrets because you are the thing she holds above all others. Would you say you have a favorite then?”
The emperor is quiet for several beats, his lips twitching and brows furrowed. “I’d have to say that if any of my wives went to that extent for me it would be impossible not to slightly favor her.”
“Despite being disgraced in the eyes of the Statera?”
Understanding flashes in his eyes. “Yes.”
I stop pacing and glare at him. “You have just scratched the surface of what I feel for Raelle. Our love and devotion aren’t the one-sided example I just gave you. We give and take no matter the cost, because nothing is more important than the other. So, to answer your question, I love Raelle unconditionally. The Statera may forsake her, but I never will.”
The women around the emperor turn to him with lovesick expressions—batting eyelashes and hands clasped to their chests. His gaze rakes over each of them before his shoulders slump. If he doesn’t at least pretend to consider my offer, something tells me his bed could be a cold and lonely place for the weeks to come.
With a sigh, he says, “Let me discuss the matter with my advisors, and you will know before the end of the day if you have my help.”
With a curt nod, I say, “I appreciate your consideration, Your Imperial Highness.”
After a brief meeting with the emperor’s counsel, I’m granted two battleships in exchange for three seasons of citrus which is only found in northeast Pliris and a large sum of coin as the leasing fee. The ships will only carry half of the forces waiting on the outskirts of Esspress. The decrease in soldiers isn’t ideal. Our odds of failing have increased as have the chances of paying reparations for any damages to the ships. Still, the pricey trade is worth it.
I’m sure the emperor would have denied my request if it were not for the favor I won with his wives. And I’m sure the whispered discussions Borin and I had with his senior advisors helped as well. They were terrified when we told them the Allaji could turn their attention to their people next. It’s only a matter of time before the shifters’ lack of self-control leads to the death of the Cyffreds they took. What kingdom would they set their sights on if Pliris was annihilated? The spirit speakers don’t hold a chance against the shifters’ brute force. They could use someone with firsthand knowledge of what Zekel is planning next. I could supply them with just that. And Raelle will be our most valuable source of intel. Her rescue would benefit us all.
When the answer was given, Borin added a quirk of his lips to the normal nod he gives me. That smallest of gestures is how I knew he was proud of me. The need for his approval had been lurking beneath the surface of my sea of worry. It was then that I felt like I did something right as king. That I could actually tread the waters of ruling.
I stand on the dock watching Greer direct our soldiers onto the two ships. The vessels are intimidating, with their billowing white sails and cannons running along the sides. People hustle around the decks, loading crates of ammunition and bundles of food for the five-day trip to the island off the coast of Allaji. To my surprise, not one person looks out of sorts about what lies ahead. They don’t seem to mind the impending danger the shifters present. Or the shark-infested waters that will rock the ship, and perhaps capsize it, leaving us all to drown in the dark sea. Not a single one of them seems petrified by the journey ahead, just me with my irrational fear of the sea.
“I get a sick satisfaction at seeing you afraid of something so trivial.”
I cast Rowan a side glance and shake my head. “Remember, all I have to do is say the word and I can have you tossed overboard.”
He chuckles and leans against the railing, crossing his arms and ankles. His brown hair catches in the breeze and his blue eyes sparkle with mischief. I envy him. Rowan is barely a man, and despite his lack of maturity, he’s sure of the future he wants. On the day of his eighteenth birthday, he took his oath to serve Pliris as one of its soldiers. He ran straight for his destiny.
Other than wanting to accompany me on this mission, he has never asked for any special treatment. It would be easy to use his sister’s status or his father’s position as ex-general to bypass the basics of his training, but he has done each task without complaint. His dedication has drawn my interest in his progress. Greer gives me updates and implements my suggestions. He has the potential to be just as great as his father one day with the right guidance.
“I don’t think my sister would be too happy to learn her boyfriend dumped her only brother in the sea,” he says, staring up at the predawn sky. His bravado vanishes, replaced with a thoughtfulness beyond his years. “Did you mean it? Would you sacrifice for Raelle the way she did for you?”
“Yes.” I’m normally comfortable with clipped one-word answers. They leave no room for debate and are void of messy emotions. I say what I mean, and the recipient accepts it. But I’m compelled to dive deeper with him to end his doubt. “Why are you constantly challenging my feelings for your sister? She’s the one I wronged, yet I’m fighting an unending war withyou. I shouldn’t care what you think of me, but fuck. Raelle adores you and I can’t stomach the thought of her being unhappy when you and I are in the same room. What do I need to do to prove that I will never hurt her like that again?”
“Bring her home,” he says with little thought. “Do whatever it takes and bring her home.”
“I am. I will.”
“I’m counting on it.”
I turn to the water. The rolling waves, endless depths, the creatures lurking beneath the surface—the ocean is wild... unpredictable. It has every advantage over me, and I must depend on a manmade vessel to protect me from its dangers. I thought it was my biggest fear, but the sea is nothing compared to what lies ahead. It’s not the shifters or the unknown land that scares me. I’ll persevere over those things. Fighting is what I do best. My biggest fear is that Rowan’s newly given trust is misplaced, and I will fail to bring Raelle home.
Eight
RAELLE
Zek lowers his hulking frame onto his throne and pats his thigh. “Come, pet. Let everyone get a good look at how exceptionally sweet you are in pale pink.”
I close my eyes to hide them rolling. There was a time when Zek treating me like his lap dog embarrassed me. He always beckons me like a well-trained animal and then glides his palm down my hair, petting me. My cheeks used to burn, and I would bury my face against his chest to hide them from the amused onlookers. I soon learned that was a mistake. They mistook my embarrassment for affection, goading Zek on to see what other ways I would wrap myself around him. They want to see me grovel, desire to watch me make a fool of myself. But mostly, they revel in the idea that I would deny the bond I have with another and beg for the affection of their king. Never again will I give the shifters a reason to believe that’s a possibility.
