I ponder his question for a moment, considering the person in front of me versus the tales people tell about him. While a bit abrasive and ferocious at times, Wrath is a king who cares for his people and fights for them on the front lines. We may not see eye to eye, but I can recognize his tenacity and effort as a ruler.
I shrug. “The humans blame you for breaking the treaty.”
“Do you want to know why we attacked Nythara?” Wrath’s question is soft. I expect him to get defensive or angry in response to me, but tonight he seems… introspective.
I glance up. “Okay.”
“They kept traveling through Crossgate and attacking the Elvarrans in Corovya,” he explains. “They almost wiped out that entire territory before I finally stepped in. Did Taryn tell you what happened to her?”
“She did.” The Kingdom of Nythara was known for its hunting and fur trade. I wonder if that made its inhabitants equally skilled hunters of the Elvarrans.
“She is one of the lucky ones.” Wrath’s gaze darkens. “If you remember, there was little to no bloodshed for about five years after that.”
I think back to those years. Valentin wasn’t off in battle as much as he had been before I left. We would race horses in the gardens, sneak around the castle halls, and stay up all night playing games. They were some of my most cherished years, the ones I always look back upon when I feel homesick.
“Those were peaceful years,” I admit.
“It’s because we controlled Crossgate and kept it closed most of the time,” Wrath says. “Until your brother recently took control of it.”
“Yes, that was recently. Maybe five months ago?” I nod, remembering that Timothy and Valentin were away for quite some time at the beginning of the year.
“Since then, humans have been traveling to the base of the Northern Alps, poisoning the roots of the trees and rivers. It kills off the natural wildlife, so we have less to hunt, and it taints our water supply.” Wrath’s words feel hollow, almost haunted. “We had to burn it away. That’s why it’s destroyed.”
“I see.”
I remember what the lands surrounding the base of the Northern Alps looked like. It is scorched and devoid of all life. Liora is equally downtrodden and ghastly, like they were struggling to survive. It is likely why they always requested more supplies and aid from my father. If there are no animals to hunt, they would need a constant supply of rations. They were so desperate for money that they attempted to kidnap me, descending into madness.
“Is that why you traveled to Cathros?” I ask curiously.
When Gilead, Stanik, and Taryn came across me in the gardens, they were scouting for something. The three stealthily scaled the back wall just as I had reached the clearing, killing Timothy with ease. What were they looking for?
“No.”
“Then why?”
“Why do you think?”
“I don’t know!”
“That’s not an answer,” he challenges.
“You wanted to find out why the King of Avelisar had traveled to Cathros?” I say the first thing that comes to mind.
“Come on, Raelys.” He sounds almost disappointed in me. “You know why.”
I don’t want to come to terms with it, but deep down, I know the truth. Yet, I feel so foolish, playing right into Wrath’s hands. He accepted my deal too easily, binding me to him, leaving this damned mark on my skin.
“Me?” I say softly.
“Yes.”
“You knew as soon as you saw my necklace,” I state the obvious, still wary of him.“Then why not take me right there? Why accept my deal?”
“You needed to come with me willingly.”
“So you could manipulate me into thinking you’re some type of savior?”
“I amdesperate, Raelys,” Wrath says despondently. “You are my last hope.”
