“For the last day, the Daijal navy has been the recipient of coordinated attacks from Tovanian ship-cities. The Urovan submersibles that had joined the blockade of the Gulf of Helia haven’t been spared either. They’ve taken hits from depth charges, and we’ve lost contact with more than a dozen submersibles in critical travel areas, as well as confirmation we’ve lost two of our flagships.”
He gave the report in his usual clipped tone that had no room for emotion. Kote was very good at distilling war updates to the bare-bones information that Eimarille needed to know. That still didn’t make it easy to digest the news.
She tightened her grip on the bronze handle of the receiver, half rising out of her seat. “The Tovan Isles have allied with Ashion?”
“All indications point to that.”
“How did their representatives even reach the shore to initiate talks? The Tovanians wouldn’t have gone to them in Cosian. It’s too far from any water.”
“We believe they used Solaria as an intermediary. Solaria already had an alliance with the Tovan Isles to patrol their shores, though they were too late getting into position on the east coast to stop our attack on Rixham. Ground troop movement has been in flux for the past several weeks between both countries as the front lines have been pushed back west. Ashion could have moved a battalion through Solaria to reach a western port. Oeiras seems most likely.”
Terilyn stood rigid in front of Eimarille’s desk, dark eyes narrowed and focused on her. The only thing that got her moving was the rapid knock on the door that heralded the arrival of their early morning tea. Eimarille waited until Terilyn had retrieved the tea tray and shut the door again before speaking again.
“What is their objective?” she asked, watching Terilyn set the tea tray on the desk but refrain from pouring in favor of coming around to stand beside her. Eimarille shifted the receiver against her ear, angling it so they could both hear.
Kote let out a harsh breath that crackled like static. “Breaking the blockade is obvious. But I’ve had my best strategists and tacticians run the numbers and extrapolate on current movement. We believe the Tovanians are intent on making it to shore for the Ashionens with them to storm New Haven. Which means you need to leave the capital.”
Terilyn’s arm wrapped around Eimarille’s waist, pulling her close. Eimarille leaned against her, finding comfort in her embrace. “We don’t know for certain that New Haven is their target.”
“No, but it’s the most likely one. The majority of our forces are in Ashion, along with every war machine coming off the production line. I will have to pull battalions from the front line and send them back west to fortify the capital, which means we’ll have gaps in our forces.”
“You’re pulling back.”
“We’re coordinating a calculated defense.”
It still sounded like a loss after months and months of victories. “If you do that, it will lessen our ability to keep the Ashion army and their allies from reaching Amari. That’s been their target all along.”
Because the Ashion capital held the starfire throne, and Caris couldn’t be queen without it, the same way Eimarille couldn’t.
“And if we lose Daijal’s capital, that will be a blow we can’t recover from,” Kote said. “Regardless, it’s not safe for you to remain, not with the Tovanians intent on reaching the shore.”
“If I leave this city, there is only one place I will go.”
“Your Royal Majesty, I must insist?—”
“You can insist all you like, but I will be going nowhere else but Amari during this time. I will not give up the starfire throne to animposter.”
The last word nearly stuck in her throat, a knot of fury that she had to force past her teeth. She—who remembered the palace she’d been born into before the Inferno, who had crowned herself, who had carried the Rourke name all this time—shewas meant to be queen. Eimarille would not willingly give up what she’d been born for: Queen of Maricol.
“Very well,” Kote said after a strained silence. “I will meet you in Amari in two days’ time to ensure your safety while in that capital. I will notify the royal guard stationed there to expect you in my absence, as I am assured you will be leaving today.”
“Terilyn will handle our travel itinerary while I deal with the Daijal court. I can’t have it seem that I am fleeing New Haven.”
“Which you are, because you must. There is no shame in that.”
Eimarille ground her teeth, glad no one but Terilyn was present to see her temper. She wasn’t in the mood to wear the neutral political mask she’d cultivated since she was a child. “War is your specialty, High General. Politics is mine.”
“Of course.” Kote paused before continuing with “Perhaps we have theKlovodactivate the remainingrionetkasin the field and issue a kill order, as we did in Bellingham. Doing so might disrupt more of the fighting and cause the Ashion army to lose some of the ground they’ve recently gained.”
Doing so would also tip their hand in how deeply Eimarille’s effort had burrowed into their enemies. But considering the new front they had to fight on, she supposed there was no time like the present for such an attack.
“If you think doing so will be favorable to our war efforts, then do so.”
They had little to say after that, and Eimarille ended the call a minute later, dropping the receiver onto the telephone base with a hand that shook ever so slightly from pure, unadulterated rage. Terilyn grasped her fingers and squeezed them tightly, causing Eimarille to jerk her gaze to her lover.
“We’ll leave in the late afternoon. A night flight will make you less of a target when we finally cross the central border on the way to Amari. I will see to it the airship is readied for you and Lisandro,” Terilyn said softly.
“And yourself, for you will be coming with me.”
