We watch, listening to her outburst.
“Do I really need to remind you of what we accomplished in Daramveer? We worked together, faced danger, and fucking succeeded—at least at saving ourselves. We can do it again, here.”
Oak stands, “We just need to find someone who knows more about this library.”
Silas glances at Larkin, a silent conversation moving between them, before he says, “We do know someone. Someone who hasbeen inside the library, and someone who has found it more than once.”
Larkin nods.
“My mother.”
“Well then, we need to set up a meeting with her. Immediately.” Maines claps her hands together. “Where is she now?”
Larkin stands, “She is with Fen and Warrick. I met with them this morning. They are going to discuss with Malachi the possibility of meeting with Briar—a formal meeting in his office. No dinner party, no distractions. Just a king and queen discussing the safety and future of our lands.”
“Everyone has lost their minds,” Silas laughs. “Larkin, do you think he is going to agree to that?”
“I do,” he says, with a dip of his chin.
“Why?” Silas snaps.
“Because we are going to disclose some information to him that will either save or destroy Andorwood in a week’s time.”
“What the fuck are you talking about?” Silas’s shadows begin to ripple around him.
Larkin clears his throat. “We weren’t for certain, but a ship followed you from Daramveer. From our findings, it set sail a few days after you all left.”
The color drains from my face.
“I didn’t want to alarm anyone, so I sent a few of my men to assess the situation. It’s not good, Silas. The people on this ship are different. They don’t seem like normal Wielders. The men told me they were changed into creatures.” He shudders as the words leave his lips. “I can’t make sense of what they are, but if our findings are correct, the ship will arrive in Andorwood in a week.”
“They used the resurrection stone,” I whisper.
“Oh, Gods.” Maines slaps her hand over her mouth, horror painting her features.
Silas storms toward the balcony, pausing to look across the sea, as if expecting to see the ship of the risen heading right for us.
“Silas,” Larkin calls to him. “Without Briar and her knowledge of these creatures, I don’t think our men can fight these things alone. Your father will agree to work with her to save Andorwood.”
I watch as Silas’s knuckles turn white from his grip on the railing.
“No,” Silas turns, his eyes blazing with a black fire, “he won’t.”
I stand, watching each of their faces pale. “Then, that is his choice.”
Silas nods and—for a moment—mourns Andorwood and the destruction to come. Even with the strength of the entire Andorwood army, they would be no match without warning.
“But not mine,” my voice echoes in response to his dejection. “I will fight alongside Andorwood, regardless of Malachi’s decision. I will battle to save these people, because that is what is right. Carobon is trying to turn us against each other when we should be joining forces.” I narrow my eyes. “I will share my knowledge with anyone willing to listen. I will inform Malachi of what we need to do to win. And when that ship arrives, I will be on the front lines, greeting those resurrected creatures as they meet their fucking demise.”
Silas looks at me, his face as hard as stone, and for a moment, I know all he sees is me. He bounds toward me, uncaring about the people around us, and his lips crash against mine—a kiss so intense that I lose track of where I am.
He pulls back, tucks a fallen piece of hair behind my ears, and cups my face. “I fucking love you, Briar Blackbyrne.”
I smile wider than I have in what feels like months before turning to the others. “We’d better get a plan in place. We are going to need a compelling story.”
Maines smiles. “Oh, so stopping Carobon isn’t compelling?”
“Apparently not,” Oak chuckles. “Silas, any pointers for speaking with your father?”
