She pressed her lips to mine and whispered, “Goodbye.”
I didn’t ask if the kiss was necessary to seal our bargain. I didn’t think the goodbye was intended for me at all.
With little space in the tent, the eight of us squished together around the table, peering down at the map. One glance around the table showed how exhausted we all were from working days and nights on end to rebuild the Mages Consortium. More prevalent than the fatigue, though, was the desire for retribution etched into each and every face. For some, it was the attack on the Consortium itself that begged for revenge. For others, it was the attack on their loved ones, for most, it was both. We all had our reasons.
“As we’ve discussed, the Divine Council has been strengthening their influence throughout Lustria. While we don’t know exactly what they are planning, their zealots are already becoming a problem. We need to ensure they do not gain control over any of the Kingdoms, and in turn, their militaries, or we will need to deal with a much larger issue,” Alandris spoke from the head of the table. “Those resisting their influence need to be rallied, and their leaders protected until we can strike back. We can’t win a war with no soldiers.”
“To do so, you will need to convince Kings to war with a foe they may not even be aware of,” Zorinna added. “The Council slithers into these territories like a snake, poisoning their people with false ideals. They view the Goddess of Light as their savior where their rulers have failed. In places where crime, corruption, and poverty are rampant, they’ll have an even easier time, and we’ll have a harder time. The rulers in those places care little for their people, only lining their own pockets. Convincing them of the danger on their doorstep will not be easy.”
Jyuri laughed. “She means they are idiots.” Tilting his head to the side, he hooked a finger toward Alandris. “I must ask, though, why does our humble King not will his people to fight?”
“I am no King, and the Consortium is neutral territory. Never again will the Mages here be forced to fight a war they didn’t ask for.”
“Yet they will feel the repercussions of losing the war when the Divine Council rules over all of Lustria with their heretical beliefs.”
Zorinna admonished Jyuri with little more than a look. “Let us focus. We need to divide to where we can be of most use. I can head to Val’Naeris to warn the Prince of the threat. After what happened with the Temple of the Moon, it should be a simple task.”
“You will not,” Jyuri snorted. “I must return to the Winter Court to deal with the Queen, lest we have an angry Fae god on our heels.”
“So? Be off then.”
“Did you forget our deal, darling?” He pulled an arm around her shoulders, which she promptly shrugged off. “You’re my pet, and I don’t quite feel like going alone. I’m not asking, in case it wasn’t clear.”
I could almost hear her teeth grind together. “You’re despicable. I am still engaged to the Prince. I have to go back, eventually.”
Her disdain only made him smile. “I love your mad face. And you don’t have to go back if I kill him.”
“Is no one going to say something about this?”
Alandris shrugged. “It is better he doesn’t go alone, and I have no doubt he will keep you safe in the Faewilds. It’s not like you even wanted to be engaged.”
Zorinna gaped. “Seriously?”
“I swear it on my life, I’ll protect you,” Jyuri said stone-faced.
Lorian loudly cleared his throat. “The Phoenix Heart has connections in Tempestas. We may be able to bargain with the old noble families in power there. For them, it will be a matter of coin and favors owed.”
Kaelias nodded in agreement, but Makatza took a step back. “I need to return to the Azog Bog.” She held up a hand at Lorian’s confusion. “My people need a warning about what’s coming. I can rally them.”
“Then I will join you,” Kaz spoke up, pressing a fist into his palm. “On the way to my homeland, Rajandi. It’s a long journey, and I’ve already made the trek once. You’re going to want to an extra sword arm.”
I held my tongue, warning Kaz against making such a long trip while he was still recovering from his burns was futile and would likely offend him. Overseeing his recovery, I knew he was in no state to be battling the creatures he and Mak might come across. But as his friend, I also knew that asking him to stay behind and do nothing was akin to asking him to gut himself. I’d pack him a bag with additional healing supplies and ask Mak to keep a close eye on him. It would have to do.
Alandris glanced my way. “Then, the two of us should go to Val’Naeris in Zorinna’s stead. I suppose it is time to face myfamily.” He made a face of great displeasure as the words left his mouth. “They should succeed in getting me an audience with the Prince if I can’t secure one myself.”
Alandris never spoke much of his family, outside of the fact that they’d more or less disowned him when he traded a life of royal politics for one of magic. To my knowledge, he’d not contacted them throughout all of our time together, nor during our twenty-five years apart. His agreement to go see them was nothing small.
“Who will watch over the Consortium?” I asked.
“Felydrin is a close ally. We can trust him to protect the Mages here and continue our efforts to rebuild.”
I nodded. “Then we have our roles.”
We paused there a moment in silence, the eight of us who had become a beautifully chaotic family who loved each other even when we hated each other. A woman with godlike power, a Fae Lord, two Elven pirates and their half-Orc first mate, an Elven princess, an Elven Mage, and a half-Giant mercenary. From all corners of Lustria, from the tip of the Northern Expanse to the base of the Sea of Sands. We’d come together at exactly the right place, at exactly the right time, and for the first time in a long time, we would go our separate ways.
I wasn’t going to be the first to cry, so I was the first to slip away.
When I stepped outside the tent, I saw the most peculiar sight… all the Mages of the Consortium had gathered out front, and Felydrin stood at the forefront.
