“They alone controldravaproduction,” I said. “An expensive export, it’s made their House very wealthy. In times of war…dravacan decide a victor. Unbreakable weapons, armors, shields, those are all crafted fromdrava. Which is why I was going to marry Lyris.
“An arranged marriage to help take back some of the control for an invaluable resource—one I think was foolish to give away to begin with,” I admitted. “But nations are not built by a single legacy. I need to remember that. Without House Arada, the Kaalium might not be what it is today.”
Understanding settled in my mate’s eyes.
“War is coming, Millie. Zyre, the king of the Kaazor, has agreed to make a war bond with the Kaalium. But he has his own demands, and they include a steady supply ofdrava. Even still, I want to burn their House to the ground for what they did to you.”
Millie’s lips firmed. “You can’t.”
Whatever she saw in my eyes made hers widen.
She stepped closer. “Kythel, you can’t. This isn’t about me.”
“You are still mykyrana. Any Kylorr in my position would seek to punish whoever threatened your life. You don’tunderstandmy need for retaliation against all those who hurt you, Millie. Every scratch, every burn, every fear, every cry…Ineedto punish them for what they did to you.”
“But you’re not just any Kylorr,” she argued quietly, meeting my eyes. There was a calmness in her gaze, a steadiness in her voice. “You’re aKyzaire, responsible for every single life throughout your nation. You can retaliate against them without bloodshed. You can make them bend to your will without destroying their House. I don’t envy you for the politics you need to juggle, Kythel. But I’ve been around enough nobles and politicians to know that nothing is ever truly fair and that power is attained through ignoble means more times than not.”
“Is that your answer for me,Kylaira?” I asked.
Her whistled breath sounded quickly. “Don’t call me that. That’s not what I am to you.”
“Not yet,” I said. “I said I wouldn’t be fair, and I meant it. But I’ve always thought you would make a goodKylaira.”
Her gaze slid to the ground. Embarrassed? Pleased? She hid her expression, so I couldn’t be certain.
“Because you’re right,” I added. “Nothing is ever simple. Nothing is ever clear. But I can tell you one thing—this will beeasyfor me. That is almost never the case.”
“What are you going to do?” she asked.
“What you suggested,sasiral,” I said. “I will make them bend to my will. And make them regret ever hurting you. That I can promise you.”
CHAPTER41
KYTHEL
There was a smug expression on Kaan’s features when he entered my bare office.
The window had only recently been repaired, the artwork that had hung on the walls destroyed beyond saving. My desk had escaped the worst of my fury, however, and it was where Azur sat while I stood at the window, looking out over Stellara.
I caught Kaan’s surprise in the reflection when he spied Azur sitting in my usual place.
“Kyzaire,” the head of House Arada greeted. “I hadn’t expected to see you here. What an honor it is to meet with you again.”
“No need to sit, Kaan,” I said, keeping my voice steady, when he moved for one of the chairs opposite of my desk. Azur was here to ensure I didn’t throttle the other male with my bare hands, though I’d insisted that he had nothing to worry about. I would only draw a little blood, after all. “This won’t take long.”
Even still, having a witness to this meeting wasn’t a terrible idea. It had been Kaldur’s idea actually.
The first crack in Kaan’s confidence splintered across his expression. It had been three days since Millie had left the keep. And in that time, I had worked on breaking down Hanno and then Lesana, gathering my evidence to use against House Arada.
Now that I had my proof, it was time to bring Kaan to his knees.
Kaan’s gaze zeroed in on something perched on the edge of my desk. His wings stilled.
“Recognize it?” I wondered, turning to face him, walking around to the side of my desk and leaning my thigh against it. I crossed my ankles, then my arms, before flashing him a small smile.
“Well, of course,” Kaan said, gaze flitting to me, confusion on his face. “It’s a tracker scout.”
“It was found outside mykyrana’s cottage in Stellara. After it was lit on fire, burned to the ground—my mate trapped inside, considering the door had been barred and the windows had been sealed shut.”
