I stopped a few feet away from Gravadain, eyeing him suspiciously. I was on his lands, killing his slaves, and burning his vineyard. He had every right to attack. But instead, he calmly walked toward me like we were here to discuss regular business.
“King Cyrus.” He tilted his head slightly in acknowledgment.
“King Gravadain,” I stated dryly, not returning the gesture. “I was disappointed to not get any response from you to my letters.”
His brow rose, and his eyes wandered over the burnt village before returning back to me. “Clearly.”
His voice sounded almost amused, making me clench my jaw in aggravation.
“Had you waited a couple of days, you would have received my response,” he continued, voice almost chastising, in a way that had lightning buzzing around my fingers.
“Well, time is of the essence in a war,” I countered, resting my hand on the pommel of my sheathed sword, cocking my hip as I stood facing him with all the arrogance he levied at me.
“So it is,” he said pointedly, but cocked his head for a moment, looking me over. “Still, I am here to let you know that I will ally with you against Night Kingdom and…”
He looked over to Aelius, sneering slightly with a roll of his eyes before adding haughtily, “Whatever parts of Day Kingdom follow the girl.”
“Day Kingdom stands with me and with their king,” I responded icily. “Whatever rebels follow Asteria will be dealt with.”
Gravadain looked amused, raising a brow with a growing smirk. “Is that so? Have you not heard the news then?”
“What news?” Aelius demanded, walking forward furiously. His golden armor clanging with every step.
Fuck.Please don’t be what I think this is.
“That Asteria has been crowned queen of Day Kingdom,” he informed us, his smirk still firmly in place at the opportunity to drop such a thing on us.
“What?!” Aelius demanded, practically shaking in rage. “I’m still fucking alive!”
I had hoped to keep the news from reaching Aelius. That was something better delivered at just the right time. But, of course, Gravadain just had to ruin that.
“He has a point,” I added, my fist clenching hard around the pommel of my sword. Hoping to maintain the illusion that I didn’t know about Asteria’s crowning. My anger was at least real, except directed at the bastard ruining my plan instead. Too many things remained outside of my control still. A bright flash hit the ground between our two forces.
Maybe I would have prayed for my lightning to be contained, if only I had gods to pray to who deserved it.
“I believe Aelius was named a traitor to his people, and the gods showed favor for the move, even. They blessed Asteria as queen. My spies have been all aflutter with the news,” Gravadain said, his face returning to that blank slate I was sure he practiced in the damn mirror.
“You were able to get spies into Night?” I asked, surprised. My own spies hadn’t ever been able to get access inside, and I found myself seething at the thought that others had managed it.
“No,” Gravadain scoffed, with a slight shake of his head. “For all I dislike Calix for his actions, no one can claim the man doesn’t run a tight ship.” His side-eye at Aelius made it clear that he didn’t believe the same was true for him, and my lip twitched.
He wasn’t wrong.
As Aelius sputtered in protest, I cocked my head at Gravadain. “And you don’t mind us taking your slaves? Burning down your village?”
“Of course, I mind.” He glared at me sternly. “I did not side with Calix because he invaded my kingdom and killed my people.”
Looking around, he clarified with a wave of his hand, “Fae, of course. Slaves are easily replaceable. Which is why I will forgive you this one oversight, and you will forgive my son at the end of this. A reasonable conclusion all around.”
“Your son?” I asked, confused by the bargain he offered.
“Yes.” He sighed heavily. “The foolish boy ran off with Calix and the girl when I wouldn’t ally with them. A mistake, but he won’t do much damage, truly. My army remains with me, as does my heir, so there will be no issue there.”
“And you expect me to just forget he sided with my enemy?” My brows furrowed at the thought. Enemies needed to be dealt with appropriately. But… it wasn’t as if I intended for any of these kings to actually survive this. It wouldn’t hurt to push the lie further now, would it? Still, I couldn’t seem weak, so I had to at least make the show of it.
“Yes, if you expect me to forgive this little intrusion and ally with you.” Gravadain countered, and I locked my jaw, staring him down.
I didn’t like him one bit. His arrogance and assumption were high, even for a royal. I would need to get rid of him sooner than the others. Maybe his heir would be more pliable. Dagur wasn’t as experienced, which was a boon. Eyes like Gravadain’s too easily saw through bullshit, and I needed to spin quite a lot of it to keep this operation running.
