“That was the goal. Though I’m surprised your brother isn’t claiming he should be in charge.”
“He lost those who might have supported him and pissed off just about every moon-marked person on Castle Island. He’s going to have to be content with his career as the editor of theKingdom Journal.”
“Does he know how to be content?”
“No, but maybe he can learn.”
Syla snorted.
“Your Majesty?” one of the soldiers asked. “This stormer is still alive. Should we… What should we do?”
At first, Syla thought he referred to Vorik, and she rested her hand protectively on his chest. They weren’t going todoanything to him. Then she realized the man stood over Jhiton, who lay on his back, his swords on the ground near him but no longer in his hands. Syla eyed them as warily as she did Jhiton. The weapons appeared normal now, as normal as gargoyle-bone blades could be.
“That’s General Jhiton,” Fel said.
“Oh.” The soldier stepped back, as if he’d realized he was standing next to a viper’s den. “We should kill him then. Before he wakes up.”
“Yes.” Fel drew his dagger and strode toward the downed general.
“Wait.” Syla lifted a hand, though, after using her power, dizziness rushed into her head, and she struggled to get to her feet.
Teyla steadied her.
“You’re not savinghimtoo,” Fel stated, though he did obey her order to wait.
“I’m…” Syla looked at Vorik.
He was unconscious as his body recovered from the healing. If she let Fel kill Jhiton, Vorik need never know the gods themselves hadn’t been responsible. Except that he might ask to see the body to prepare it for a funeral, and what would she say? The gods wouldn’t have used a dagger to slit a man’s throat. If she let Fel kill Jhiton, she would have to tell Vorik the truth.
And then there were the dragons. Feeling their gazes upon her, she looked at them. Wreylith wouldn’t care and would probably even approve. But Agrevlari… would he let her kill a stormer? The brother of his bonded rider? They were watching her, but neither offered an opinion that she heard.
“I’m not sure,” Syla finally said.
“It’s bad enough your scheming cousin survived,” Fel said. “Youcan’tlet Jhiton live. He killed your mother and your siblings. Even if it wasn’t by his hand, heorderedhis people to do it. And we weren’t there so we don’t know what happened. He might very well have been the one to kill them.”
Captain Lesva claimed credit for killing several of them,Agrevlari stated.
And she was finally dead in the harbor.
I believe General Jhiton directed the troops and ordered the invasion,Agrevlari added,as you have guessed, but did not personally slay members of the royal family.
“He’s no less responsible,” Fel snapped. “He’smoreresponsible.Entirelyresponsible.”
The tribal leaders were as responsible as the general,Agrevlari said.
“They’re not here for me to kill,” Fel growled. “I would happily do so.”
Syla sighed and slowly walked toward Jhiton, still conflicted.
Fel offered her his dagger.
Did he truly thinkshewould cut his throat?
She would not, but she caught herself accepting the dagger. It felt less suicidal to approach a viper with a weapon in hand. Teyla came with her, drawing her sword. She probably had similar thoughts.
Jhiton’s eyes were closed, but Syla could envision him springing to life and strangling her before she could do anything. Before crouching beside his head, she used her toe to nudge the swords farther away from his hands. Fel came over and picked them up, then gave them to a soldier and waved for him to take themfartheraway. All the while, Syla watched Jhiton.
He didn’t emanate the dark power that he had before, but he retained the magic of his dragon bond. Some blood dampened the ground near him, but his breathing was even, without a hitch. She had a feeling it wasn’t injuries but having the storm god’s essence ripped out of him by the other gods that had knocked him out. It looked like Vorik had only managed to land a few blows.
