Just as they were when they had arrived in the kingdom, the monarchs sat atop their thrones with spears held in their hands.Zahar and Sekhan stood to the right of the king, and Kekari stood to the queen’s left.Iyana frowned when Kaz’s sibling smirked at Emmeric and winked salaciously.She frowned harder when he grinned back at them.
Emmeric leaned down to speak quietly into her ear.“Relax, Mouse.They’re only eighteen, practically still a child.No need to be jealous.”
Iyana glanced at him out of the corner of her eye.“I’m not jealous.”
He chuckled softly.“Sure you aren’t.”
She was about to refute his claim again, but King Saram began speaking before she could.
“We wish you all the best of luck in your quest.”His attention switched to Kaz.“Daughter, are you sure you will not change your mind and stay in Nyr?”
“No, Father.My place is with my friends, ensuring Arinem and humanity is safe.”While Saram nodded his head in respect to his daughter’s wishes, Queen Nita frowned deeply.
“We thank you for your hospitality,” Zane said, bowing at the waist.“I hope to return with good news, that Istora will fight with us to rid Arinem of the threat of the stars.”
“Aztia,” Queen Nita said, her tone sharp enough to flay Iyana to the bone.“I hope you understand the price of failure.”
Her words snapped something inside of Iyana.Who was this woman to talk down to her?Where was she when Iyana was shoving a dagger through an emperor’s chest?Where was she when the man she loved had betrayed her?Where was she when Talon, Geoff, and Gordon were killed?Anger bubbled within her chest.
She felt Emmeric reach towards her—both physically and through their bond—but she stepped forward out of his reach and stared down the Queen of Nyr.
“I think I understand better than you what happens when I fail.Or am I wrong, and you’vealsobeen to the Everlands to drag one of your best friends back from death?”Talon drew in a sharp breath behind her, and Iyana was sorry for bringing it up in front of everyone.But now rage flowed through her and she found it impossible to stop.
“You sit here, safe behind your wards, and dare to lecture me about the price of failure?You, who won’t even commit to fighting for our continent unless someone else joins the war first?Your daughter is the one willing to put her own life at risk for the betterment of humanity.She is so much braver than you could everhopeto be.
“So now if you’ll excuse me, Your Majesties”—Iyana sketched a mocking bow, still staring at Queen Nita—“I need to go save the fucking world.”
Iyana spun on her heel and marched out of the throne room.She realized she wasn’t being diplomatic, and that this probably didn’t help their cause, but this was Zane’s world—not hers.She hadn’t grown up in a castle or a palace learning the games of politics; she’d only ever known a small desert village until less than a year before.Zane could smooth things over with the king and queen, but, honestly, Iyana couldn’t give two shits about what they thought of her.
When she had first arrived in Nyr, Iyana had been concerned about the monarchs—how they would perceive her and if they were similar to Uther.Now, she realized her fears were unfounded.Kaz’s parents were nothing but pampered nobles, too scared to leave the safety and comfort of their home.And while she was scared of the road ahead also, at least she was doing something about it.
Without realizing it, Iyana had marched through the entire palace until she was at the edge where they would go down to the forest floor.Their horses were being prepared for their journey in the lower stables.She came to a halt near the ladder, but stopping her physical momentum meant her emotions were able to catch up to her.
A sob lodged in her throat.Nita had no concept of what Iyana had sacrificed.She’d had her entire life mapped out—goals and ambitions.Iyana touched the ouroboros tattoo circling her wrist.Thatwas supposed to be her life.Mixing poultices and tinctures, healing the sick.Using only small amounts of magic to activate potions.Not killing emperors.Not battling against stars hells-bent on making themselves into gods and enslaving humans.Not bonded to a man she otherwise wouldn’t say two words to.
Imo should have still been alive.Geoff and Gordon too.Talon should have still been effervescent and jubilant.Emmeric should be courting a beautiful Athusan woman instead of pining after her.
Hot tears flowed freely down her face now, and Iyana dashed them away with her hands.Sometimes this all seemed like too much.
There was a light touch on her lower back, and she spun in place to see Emmeric behind her.Without stopping to think about it, Iyana buried her face in his chest and allowed herself to cry.He only held her close, stroking up and down her spine.
When her sobs finally slowed, Emmeric placed his hands on her face and drew her back until she was looking up at him.His thumbs swiped the drops of moisture away.
“That was incredible, Iyana.”
“Did I ruin our chances of them helping us?”she whispered.
Emmeric shook his head.“Zane will smooth things over.I think it’s something they needed to hear, though—especially Nita.Nothing you said was wrong.”
“I don’t know what came over me.”
“I thought you were amazing.”Emmeric placed a light kiss on Iyana’s forehead, then stepped back from her.“I’m a guard.A soldier.And I’ve always thought that kings, queens, and emperors who sit idly by while others die for them are inherently untrustworthy.A true leader is someone like Zane or Kaz, who is willing to put their own lives at risk for the betterment of their people.You were right to call them out, Mouse.”
It had felt right and satisfying in the moment, but the more she thought about it, the more worried Iyana was that it would create a problem down the road.But she couldn’t take the words back even if she wanted to.They would just have to wait and see.Besides, the queen of Istora could also deny them aid, and it would all be for naught, anyway.
Chapter 21
Iyana
