“I’m not going to pretend like I know battle strategy,” Iyana said, “but I know that even with the might of three kingdoms behind us, we’re still going up against thousands of stars who all have magic.We’re going to need more than only well-trained armies.Hopefully Yrza will join us, but we may need to talk more about using the Lurra or Khollo’s Downfall.”
The blood drained out of Zane’s face.“We still don’t know that much about the artifacts.And if the astmina is anything to go by, they’re all extremely dangerous.The fact that the clasp is still heavily wrapped in cloth and we’re all too scared to touch it should be more than telling.”
“We’re just saying it needs to be discussed as an option,” Emmeric said.“Do we still have the records from the library?”
Zane nodded.“I’ll do some more research.”He would rather avoid using the artifacts if at all possible, but he saw the merit in looking into them more.They would need as many arrows in their quiver as they could find.
“We need to find out more about the stars, too,” Iyana said, sighing.“We’re still not entirely sure what can actually kill them.And Altair”—her voice cracked with his name—“said that only the most powerful stars can teleport.He estimated only a hundred have the ability.”
“That’s good to know,” Talon said.“At least we know an entire army won’t be able to appear within a second’s notice.And we saw with Okab that they have limits on how many they can carry and how far they can go.”
“I’ll add it to my research list.”
When it seemed as though nobody else had anything more to add, Zane resolved to dedicate his time in the library.Again.It felt like it had been forever since he’d read a book for enjoyment, and he was actually starting to tire of being in the library all the time.That was something he never thought he’d say.
Talon clapped his hands together, startling Zane out of his thoughts.“Alright—Team Save Arinem on three.One, two, three, Team Sa—” He broke off when he realized nobody else was joining him and crossed his arms over his chest.“Oh, fuck all of you,” he mumbled.
Chapter 61
Iyana
EmmericandIyanahadasked Kaz to request an urgent audience with the king and queen, and they made them wait for over three hours before they agreed to the meeting.Iyana was fuming by the time they were summoned, pacing back and forth in their rooms.She had changed out of the oversized clothes and was now in a fitted tunic and trousers with fighting leathers over them.It served two purposes—they were going to train after this meeting, and it also gave others the impression she was there to fight; that she was going to battle for all of their safety, and they should all do what was best for Arinem.
So when the poor attendant tasked with retrieving them knocked on the door, Iyana brushed by them and marched to the throne room.Emmeric followed behind her, and she could feel his amusement with the situation.
Stop it, she snapped at him.
I just love seeing you all worked up, Mouse.His words were a purr in her mind, and a shiver ran down her spine.It was only that morning that he had been inside her, yet she found herself aching for him again.
Keep thinking those thoughts, love, and we’ll end up snubbing the king and queen again.
Iyana blushed but continued walking, and she was able to compose herself before they entered the throne room.King Saram and Queen Nita sat on their understated thrones, but they did not hold spears like when Iyana and her friends had first met them.Kaz stood to Nita’s left and Zahar to Saram’s right.
“Bold of you, Aztia,” Nita said, coldly, “to demand this audience after ignoring us for the past week.”
She didn’t have time for any of this shit.“Listen,” Iyana said with a bite to her tone that had Nita frowning.“I’m not here to play games with you; I have too many other important things to be doing than stroking your egos.”
Saram opened his mouth, but Iyana simply raised a brow, and he closed it again.She marveled at this newfound power for a moment.
“I can sense your wards failing.I’d estimate that you only have a year until they fall completely.”This had finally gotten their attention, and Saram leaned forward in his seat, gesturing for her to continue.“If I can feel it, then the stars most likely can as well.They’ll be camped outside your borders trying to bring them down even faster, or just waiting until you’re vulnerable to rush in here and destroy you.Kaz said you’re trying to make excuses for not joining this war.”
“There are noexcuses—”
“I’m not done,” Iyana interrupted, and she felt Emmeric smile through their bond, though he stood next to her with his hands behind his back and a stoic look on his face—the perfect soldier.“Your daughter is coming with us.It might behoove you to send the crown princess of your kingdom with some form of protection.What would your people think if you didn’t?To me, she appears to be quite loved by everyone.”
Kaz hadn’t yet revealed her previous incarnations or her plans to abdicate to her parents, and Iyana was not going to be the one to do it for her.
“Sekhan and I are both going with you, Aztia,” Zahar said.
Iyana could only blink at him as the rest of his family members turned to gape at him.The prince had been nothing but cold to them the entire time Iyana had known him, and Kaz had once described him as a ‘killjoy.’It was more than a little surprising that he was refusing to back his parents’ wishes.
“Zahar, you will do no such thing,” Nita said.
He turned his cool brown eyes to his mother.“With all due respect, Mother, I am an adult—as is Sekhan—and we will do as we please.Kekari wanted to go as well, but I’ve convinced them to stay here as they didn’t receive the extensive training the eldest three had.But we have discussed this with Jato, and he and all of his warriors are willing to fight.”
“Who will stay here and protect the children and the elderly if you take all our warriors with you?”
Zahar tilted his head slightly as he regarded her.“I assumed you and Father would.Or were you planning on leaving the safety and comfort of the wards?”
