The king’s mouth presses into a hard line, but I grit my teeth. “We’re not even off the battlefield, and you’re already vying to claim more kingdoms?” I growl out.
Her shrewd brown eyes flick over to me, dragging from gauntlet to glare. “You have fought well, Commander,” she says, though she somehow manages to make it sound patronizing. “But now is the time for monarchs. Thold and I will take it from here. Unless Ravinger is around to join us?” she asks pointedly.
Red-hot anger melts away the chill in the air.
Her brow arches at my silence. “That’s what I thought.”
“The Premiers have rule of Fourth in lieu of King Ravinger’s absence,” I bite out, my head turning to look at Thold. “They will need to be included in discussions.”
The king looks between the two of us, and I can see the wheels turning behind his eyes. He’s formidable, but I have hope that he has enough honor to ultimately do what’s right for Orea.
Still, I hope the Premiers are ready to hold their own, because it seems a different sort of battle is about to begin. One fought behind closed doors during diplomatic meetings.
“We will meet at Fourth immediately and call a council to come up with a united plan,” Thold says.
Kaila’s lips press together, eyes seeming to swirl with plans of her own.
“Orea needs to rebuild and make everyone feel safe again,” I state, my words insistent. “We’ve just experienced devastating losses. We need to cometogether, not grow further divided.”
Kaila gives me a dismissive look and then ignores me completely when she turns to Thold. “I will meet you in Fourth,” she says before she turns and walks toward her timberwing and mounts it.
I share a look with Lu and Osrik, and I know we’re all thinking the same thing. We almost died saving Orea, and before the dust can even fucking settle, Kaila is up to her old antics with her thirst for power.
Maybe I shouldn’t be surprised, but it feels like a punch to the fucking gut. I can only hope that her brother can knock some sense into her. He seems to be the only one she listens to.
King Thold looks at me, his astute gaze casting over my tense face. “Do not worry yourself, Commander. The war is over. Your duty is done. Now, leave the politics to us. Queen Kaila can only reach so far before that grasping hand of hers gets caught.”
We watch as Kaila and her group take flight, their timberwings pointed in the direction of Sixth Kingdom.
“I thank you all for Fourth’s sacrifice,” the king says, drawing my eyes back to him.
My jaw tightens as I think of how much blood was spilled. “We all made sacrifices.”
“War always requires them,” he rumbles out in reply.
And he’s right. But hopefully, greed doesn’t ruin what we’ve won.
Only time will tell.
He walks off, addressing the soldiers of Second who are still left. “Return to your kingdom and tell your prince what has transpired. Tell him that he’s called to council in Fourth Kingdom. I will meet him there.”
The soldiers tip their heads, and their captain readies their group to leave.
Only four of our own Elites still live, and all of them wear the stricken faces of the after-battle. Their eyes are haunted from the loss and carnage, while both relief and guilt fill the creases of their grimaces.
Tyde walks over, and I notice his middle has been re-bandaged, but it doesn’t appear to be bleeding. “Your stitches hold up?”
“Yes, Commander.”
His magic has been incredibly beneficial, and he’s kept a cool head the entire time, never once wavering.
“Should we all mount and ready to leave?” he asks.
My head turns of its own volition to look at the void again before I answer. “You all leave now. Head straight for Fourth. We need to tell the Premiers everything that’s happened. They’ll have to prepare for the monarchs to come for the council meeting that will determine Orea’s fate.”
Tyde nods but looks from me to the Wrath, snow gathered in his blond hair and his eyes bloodshot. “And what should we tell them about King Ravinger?”
A jab goes through my heart. It takes great effort not to let my voice waver. “Tell them that it appears he can’t return. That they must rule Fourth in his stead.” I swallow thickly.
