So there would be a battle. But with who?
“Now go,” Empress Emmeline instructed. “Ride out.”
Beau, Anais, Duke Albert—along with the majority of the soldiers and sorcerers—and the three robed figures mounted their horses. Empress Emmeline watched them depart.
“Where are they going?” Elias asked, voice hoarse.
She smiled. “Wouldn’t you like to know.” She turned and strode into the tower, the silent robed figure walking beside her. The soldiers dragged Elias. The handful of sorcerers and soldiers who’d remained also followed.
Elias glanced around.I can take this many. Even injured I can kill this small a group with ease.
They walked up several flights of wooden stairs, leading up and up. Elias hoped they were taking him to Gerard. He needed the man to be okay.
They came to a battered wooden door at the top. A soldier stepped forward and turned the handle. The door swung open.
Elias’s heart sank. More sorcerers and soldiers were assembled on top of the tower. The odds of an easy win suddenly lessened. He might be a lightning archmage, but that didn’t mean he could take on almost ten lightning sorcerers, twenty wind sorcerers, and the same number of soldiers.
Then Elias let out a breath.
Gerard! He’s here. He’s alive!
Gerard knelt on the stone on the opposite side of the tower. Queen Consort Adelina stood over him, leaning down and talking to him.
What is she doing here?
Chapter
Fifty-Eight
Gerard stared, mouth ajar as he listened to the woman who had been his stepmother for the majority of his life. It seemed such a strange occurrence that his and Elias’s stepmothers were working together to kill them.
Four soldiers from Zephyrias surrounded Gerard. And standing at attention around the top of the tower were more soldiers and sorcerers.
“Adelina, do not do this,” Gerard said, trying to keep his voice calm. “You’re a kind-hearted woman. Do you really want to murder your husband and your five stepchildren? You can’t want that! You can’t want our blood on your hands!”
“It’s not that Iwantto do this!” Her brows puckered. “But when the king and you are all dead, then my children will be queen, the heir to the throne, the dragon warrior, and the spare to the dragon warrior. They will no longer be pushed to the side! They will be respected and powerful!” Her voice brightened as she spoke.
Trying not to be obvious, Gerard tugged at his shackles behind him. “Are my siblings and my father still alive?”
“They are!” She paused. “But not for much longer. I’m really sorry, Gerard. I know this must be difficult for you. But we promise to make your siblings’ deaths as quick as possible. You can take comfort in that.” She hesitated. “Only Elias will die painfully.”
Gerard’s chest squeezed. “What?”
“Emmeline hates him. It was actually suggested that you and Elias be killed as soon as you were taken. But Emmeline wanted to watch Elias hurt.” She pressed her lips together, as if not approving of that part of the plan.
Gerard couldn’t get air into his lungs.
But Elias was an archmage! A fact no one knew. No doubt when the empress attacked him, he could kill her and escape. He wouldn’t be taken! He’d get away and be safe!
“She thought Elias watching you be killed would hurt him, since he seems to care for you. That’s why you are still alive. Truthfully, I did not want him tortured,” she whispered as if worried Empress Emmeline might overhear her even though the empress wasn’t present. “But she has told me what he is like. He seems quite wicked.”
But then Gerard’s brain snagged on something Adelina had said. “Who suggested that me and Elias be killed already?”
She opened her mouth. She shut it. Her lips twitched, and she looked away.
Gerard frowned.
Then she exhaled and continued speaking as if Gerard had not asked the question. “I am sorry, Gerard. I did ask if we could kill you painlessly at least. Emmeline said she can do that. She just wants Elias to watch you die.” She shookher head. “I know it is all very … uncivilised. But at least the peace treaty will continue. You can be glad of that.”
