Standing, I met Queen Luhara’s eye across the room, and she called for silence. By the time everyone had quieted, my nerves had settled.
“I’ll be the first to admit that when it comes to politics, I’m still learning,” I said. “That was always my sister’s calling, not mine. But it is also Razel’s.” As I spoke, I met the gaze of each person in turn, hoping they could see my sincerity. “She knows exactly what she’s doing. The attack on Samra’s crew? The strike against the Jin rebels? Infiltrating Trendell? They were coordinated, targeted moves meant to hurt each of you and make you think twice about this alliance.”
“Thia’s right,” said Ericen. “She did this because she’s afraid. From the beginning, her plans have always relied on you being isolated and alone. She doesn’t know how to face a united front. She’s scared to face you together.”
I nodded. “Dissolving this alliance is exactly what she wants.”
“So we’re playing straight into her hands,” one of the council members said. “What does it matter if we know that? Even if we band together, can we defeat her?”
“Ira wasn’t our only stronghold,” Auma said. “There are rebel forces scattered throughout Jindae. We’re not out of this fight.”
Relief swept through me, even as I realized that Auma hadn’t originally intended to share this information. She’d meant to let us think she had nothing to offer in order to protect what remained of her forces. Did this mean she’d changed her mind?
“We may have an edge on Razel too,” Estrel said. “That shrine wasn’t the only one of its kind, was it, Your Majesty?”
Queen Luhara frowned. “That’s correct. There are several others on the grounds. Are you suggesting they possess the same power as the other?”
“They will once Thia activates them,” Estrel replied. “These roads once connected all the major cities in each kingdom. It’ll take a few days, but we can use the roads to Jindae and the Ambriels to gather the remaining troops.”
Of course she knew about the roads. It was probably another piece of information the Order had kept for themselves.
Estrel looked to Auma and Samra. “Do you both have ships?” The two nodded, and she pressed on. “You can both sail to a higher point in Rhodaire and flank the Illucian army. Razel is too confident and didn’t plan for an attack from behind. Her failure to anticipate this alliance leaves her military focused at the front, on Rhodaire.” She looked to the queen. “Thia can funnel the Trendellan forces through Aris and bolster the Rhodairen army from the front. Razel won’t expect our ranks to swell so quickly. With the element of surprise, we can take the fight to her.”
“That might actually work,” Samra admittedly grudgingly.
I seized the upward turn of the conversation, leaning my hands on the table. “We’ve all seen what Razel is capable of. What she’s willing to do. None of our kingdoms are safe, and alone, none of us will survive.” I looked to Res, whose eyes glowed a soft silver as his magic awakened. Lightning sparked along his beak and through his feathers. “What she doesn’t know is what we’re capable of. We can still win this battle.”
Queen Luhara exchanged looks with her husband, and they spoke in hushed tones. Samra regarded me gravely, as if she might see the future in my eyes.
But it was Auma who spoke.
“Jindae stands with you.” She rose from her chair. “I too do not abandon my friends.”
I met her gaze, bowing my head.
“You have my rebels as well,” Samra said with a nod.
“And the Trendellan army will honor its pledge,” said the queen.
Relief flooded through me in a cool wave, only to hit the simmering anger inside me and steam. We had the other kingdoms’ support. With their help, we would reach Rhodaire in time to defend it, and we’d have the strength to win.
Heat flared through my skin, my nails digging into my palms. I could feel that familiar darkness pressing in the back of my mind, that need to give in, to give up after everything that’d gone wrong. But something hotter pushed back. Something rash and full of talons.
My heart raced with the rising fire in my veins.
Even your very heart is armed, Auma had said.It must have peace before you can expect to bring it to others.
But I didn’t want peace right now.
I wanted war.
Twenty-Six
I was going home.
I couldn’t believe it. Even as I packed what little I had, even as I gathered with everyone outside the Trendellan shrine, it didn’t feel real. Standing beside Ericen, knowing he was returning to Aris with me, that Iwantedhim to, only made it stranger.
They’d given him his swords back, and he stood rigid as a statue beside me, his attention lost somewhere in his thoughts.
