“It doesn’t matter. She ordered the attack on the Warden’s Island. Her people took my husband prisoner. We have no proof she’s behind therionetkas, but who else stands to gain from destabilizing other governments? If it’s war she wants, it’s war she’ll have.”
Meleri met his gaze with a regretful sort of sadness in her own. “I wish this wasn’t anyone’s road, but if you are set to walk it, then you should know the Marshal sent cogs to Foxborough after they warned me about the troop buildup along the southern portion of the central border. We’ll have allies in that city, but they won’t be military-trained and won’t have clout to override any government orders. Foxborough is governed by Ashionens loyal to Daijal despite its populace’s sympathies for the Clockwork Brigade.”
“I have no qualms with Ashionen citizens who have refused to abide by the will of the Daijal court.”
“They’ll still be within your field of fire. If you drop bombs on that city, they’ll be among the death count.”
Honovi clenched his teeth together, unable to argue that fact. “It’s not my intention to fire on innocent people. I just want my husband back. If you want Caris as queen, you’ll need him.”
“Do you think the Clockwork Brigade could rally support if it’s known I granted E’ridia’s war airships the right to travel within our air space?” Caris asked.
“You aren’t queen yet,” Lore reminded her.
Caris smiled thinly. “And I won’t be, not legally, not without Blaine. He’s the only one who can confirm I am who I say I am. Without him, my name won’t be written down in the royal genealogies, and that must happen. There are those who prefer the tradition of a Rourke on the throne continue on, even if their only perceived choice is Eimarille.”
“You could sit on the starfire throne. You could put out the decree the North Star lit after the Inferno. That would prove you are Rourke.”
“Maybe so, but since the riot, since Daijal crossed the western border, how likely is it that Amari is accessible?”
Lore’s mouth ticked downward before she nodded in pained agreement. “My sister Brielle and her family are stuck in the capital. Parliament enacted an emergency order to close the city walls. No one gets in or out now. They’ve effectively sealed the city.”
“We have wardens inside those walls,” Ksenia said, planting her hands on her hips. “If the Ashion parliament follows Daijal orders, then my wardens will be recalled.”
Meleri drew in a sharp breath. “From the entire country?”
Ksenia shrugged, clearly not put out by their concern. “We’ll carve out exceptions province by province if need be.Weweren’t the ones who broke the Poison Accords.”
“Eimarille’s word is law as far as she views it, and she clearly doesn’t care for wardens. Her recent actions prove as much,” Lore said.
“Could we get the wardens out through the catacombs?” Nathaniel asked.
Caris’ expression became hopeful. “And my parents? Could we try to rescue them as well?”
“The catacombs do extend past the city walls,” Meleri said slowly. “But many of the routes aren’t fully accessible. It’s a risk, especially if Daijal has gained access. And I’m sorry, Caris. The cogs left behind in that city got word out that your parents have now been sent west.”
Caris covered her mouth with one hand, hunching her shoulders. Nathaniel wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her in close. To her credit, she didn’t break down sobbing, but Honovi could see the tears in her eyes.
Lore glanced at her mother before focusing on Ksenia. “The Daijalans wouldn’t know where to go if they entered the catacombs. We could try to reach your wardens that way if you’re willing to risk it. We have cogs that need to be evacuated as well.”
Honovi was aware the catacombs beneath Amari were extensive from what Blaine had once told him. Whether they were a way to gain access to the Ashion capital was an argument for another day. “Blaine isn’t in Amari. He’s in Foxborough. Unless you tell me there are catacombs in that city, then we’ll be flying in.”
Caris wiped away a couple of tears with the back of her hand. “You should spread the word to the Clockwork Brigade and the army through coded messages that I’m heading to Foxborough with allies.”
“No, you are not,” Meleri said firmly.
Caris drew herself up to her full height, a stubborn look coming to her eyes. “I won’t leave Blaine to Eimarille’s mercy.”
“And if you go, we risk losing you. No, Caris, I must insist you stay here.”
“Meleri—”
“Mother is right, Caris,” Lore interjected. “We can’t risk losing you. We’ve managed to obtain support from bloodlines in the eastern provinces, but all of that is predicated upon your survival. If we lose you, we lose Ashion.”
“But—”
Nathaniel touched her shoulder, drawing Caris’ attention to him. “I’ll go where you go, but if theKlovodis in Foxborough, I’d rather not test the warden’s alchemy against his when it comes to my clockwork heart.”
It was a calculated request, one that had Lore’s shoulders easing from their tense line. Caris’ expression twisted, but whatever position she had wanted to take to join the fighting forces in Foxborough, it wilted beneath Nathaniel’s concern. “I don’t want to put you in danger.”
