“King Kyron. Raelle Mansi, it is good to see you safe and sound,” says one of the women.
I nod in response, my gaze darting to the small, square stone dangling from a short chain at her neck. The few short lessons Borin has taught me are all I needed to recognize the Sacred Stone and know it is Camila speaking.
Lina’s hand flexes around Camila’s, holding on to her tighter. The sad smile Lina gives Raelle says it all. She dreads the thought of going through what we have. I doubt they know what it’s like to go days without each other, let alone weeks.
I found myself the most disappointed in them when I sent out my request for help finding Raelle. The Saras are known for their compassion. Many of them leave their kingdom to serveothers, offering their skills to heal the sick and repair broken bodies. It seemed natural to think they would come to Raelle’s rescue, but they remained quiet. I can’t help but wonder why they didn’t respond when they appear sincere in their well wishes now.
“Thankfully, I was reunited with a friend and made a new one while I was imprisoned. They are the reason I stand before you today,” Raelle says, glancing back at Ulric and Ashavee. Ulric places a gentle hand on the shifter’s shoulder, and I’m shocked that she doesn’t shrug him off but slightly leans into the touch.
Camila’s hazel eyes fall on me, and she gives me a weak smile before turning back to Raelle. “Your king worked relentlessly to bring you home. I wish circumstances would have worked in our favor to help.”
I shove my free hand in my pocket and glide my tongue over my teeth. “And what were those circum?—”
“I’m sure you found the information you seek,” the Divine Sibyl says, ending the conversation and demanding everyone’s attention.
My eyes shift between the Sibyl and the queens. I had my suspicions as to why my pleas went unanswered. Causing unrest throughout the continent would have direct implications on the Sibyls, even if they stayed neutral in a war. Their kingdom is landlocked between the other four. If everyone but them fought, they would be stuck in the middle with no choice but to take a side for protection.
Raelle flashes the smile that I recognize as part of her diplomatic mask and says, “I believe we have. Thank you for giving us access to the tomes about our history. We’re so grateful for your kindness and knowledge.”
I pinch the skin above her thumb, signaling that she doesn’t need to lay it on so thick. Her fake smile is replaced by a genuineone as she spares me a side glance. Dammit, if she doesn’t have me smirking back.
“It is our pleasure to help. If you fulfill the prophecy given to your godfather, it won’t be just your kingdom which is changed. The entire realm has been off balance since Pliris’ fall. Your fate will bring peace.”
I don’t give a fuck about the other kingdoms right now. If they benefit from what we must do, then so be it. They have forsaken us in a time when we need them the most. Kingdoms like Sara and Sibyl wouldn’t last a day if they faced what we have so far. Although they have militaries, war is not something they prepare for. They would need help protecting their lands from the Allaji. And guess who they would come to first—the kingdom that has spent decades fighting amongst itself. The one who would have skilled soldiers in high quantities. Pliris.
I open my mouth to say as much, but stop when the Divine Sibyl’s body quakes, like the ground below them is unsteady. They run their slender, knobby fingers over the Ignosi. Golden veins weave through the aqua stone and pulsate like a heartbeat. Their eyes squeeze shut so hard that the fine lines at the corners spiderweb up their temple and down their cheeks. They nod their head as if acknowledging someone speaking to them. We remain silent, exchanging uncomfortable glances until the Sibyl opens their eyes again.
“The Statera wishes me to remind you that this quest is yours and yours alone, Raelle Mansi,” the Divine Sibyl says as if they are reading a letter from the Statera. “Your friends may join you on your journey, but only you can mend what was fragmented. Pliris should have never been two kingdoms or possessed two stones. Shatter what you have always known and restore Pliris. Only when you possess the Imperium can your kingdom take its rightful place amongst the four.” The Divine Sibyl’s voice grows deeper, darker. “If you should fail, the power once grantedto your kingdom will be forever lost, and Pliris will meet its demise.”
I run my hand over my heart, where it aches to the point of breaking. I don’t need elaboration. If Raelle doesn’t get the Imperium, she won’t have another chance because she will not make it out of this war alive. And if she does, she will be at Zekel’s mercy again. We all will.
“I understand,” Raelle says, her hand shaking in mine.
Queen Camila steps forward as she reaches into the medic pack at her side. “Take this,” she says, holding out a simple tin canister to Raelle. “It’s a salve that will quickly heal wounds. It doesn’t come close to making amends for us ignoring your requests for help. We should have come to your aid when your king asked.” She turns her attention to me. “I’m sorry. It was my fear for my own family that made me hesitant to want to get involved. I see now how wrong I was. The outcome of the war you face will impact us all.”
“Thank you.” It is all I can muster in acceptance of her apology. I tried to warn her and the other rulers what the implications would be to their kingdoms if the Allaji was not stopped. I was treated like a novice sovereign who was overreacting.
With a somber expression, Lina grabs Raelle’s hands and says, “We will dispatch healers to your kingdom to help. They will be able to save lives on the battlefield.”
“Thank you,” Raelle says, with a gentle squeeze to Lina’s hands.
Camila lowers her head in respect to Raelle. “I don’t envy the trials you face, but I admire the strength in which you face them.”
“Raelle isn’t the only one who will face trials,” the Divine Sibyl says, looking me up and down. “Do you understand what this means for you if she succeeds? The power you will wieldcomes with a great responsibility to all five kingdoms. You’ve doubted your ability to lead while accountable for only a fraction of your people. Will you break under the pressure of answering every kingdom’s call?”
I should be scared. Each ruler will come to me for judgement of any major infraction their people commit. It will be daunting, and I will have the power to take and give what isn’t mine. It’s an uneven balance and fundamentally against everything I stand for. This should be a line I’m not willing to cross, but boundaries don’t exist where Raelle is concerned.
I meet their cold stare and say, “You seem to think I will shoulder the weight of the Imperium on my own. I don’t see it that way. If Raelle accomplishes restoring Pliris, I will never have to carry that responsibility alone.”
“I pray you have the chance to prove yourself right,” the Divine Sibyl says.
My parah shifts. Her back goes straight and her chin lifts. “I vow to you now; my king will hold the Imperium. Our kingdom will be made whole again, and I will rule at his side.”
The fiery passion I saw in her eyes when she first walked into my office and asked to join my soldiers returns. This is the woman I wanted to see fight for us when it felt like everything was stacked against us. She is determined, fierce, and unstoppable. With her taking the lead, the Imperium is as good as ours.
Twenty-Two
RAELLE
