‘No! I care for Lily, you know I do, but no, Drah’sa. For fuck’s sake, not every problem has to be handled by you personally.’ He glanced around at the gathered people. ‘You aren’t going to tell her how stupid it is?’
‘I don’t think anyone could stop Roksana when she’s made up her mind, but I hope there’s still room for discussion,’ Rey answered diplomatically, but it didn’t elude my notice that he sent a grateful nod to the dwarf.
‘The method is up for discussion, but not the need to have Lilliana back in Truso. First, because knowing Lily, she’s already learned the political reasons for her abduction. Second, she’s the only one we can trust who can read ancient high fae,’ I said, staring Reynard down. ‘I’m not acting on impulse. It is a political necessity we get her back.’
‘I never said you acted on impulse, and as long as I can discuss the method, that’s good enough for me.’ Rey’s calm, composed tone made my argument look like me throwing a tantrum.
So, I didn’t argue. I would do what I had to do, Reynard’s blessing or not.
I leaned back in the chair, more overhearing the discussions rolling over my head than actively taking part. My thoughtsdrifted south. Even if Tova discovered how to deactivate the Wey Gates, someone had to go there to do it, and it might already be too late.
Rey must have sensed my concern because as soon as the last person left the council chamber, he turned to me. ‘If you feel the only way to bring Lily back is to rescue her yourself, I’ll give you Ivar and my veterans. Just please let me know when you’re going so I can arrange it.’ He smirked when my eyebrows shot up. ‘I know you, Viper. The moment you stop arguing is the moment you start planning. You told me the method is up for discussion, so I’m discussing it.’
‘You’re impossible.’ I shook my head and stood up. The green silk robe rustled when I approached him, placing my hand on his soft beard. Rey put his hand over mine. His face relaxed when he turned his head and kissed the sensitive skin of my palm, inhaling slowly.
‘I would be if I listened to the beast raging inside me and locked you in. I’m learning to trust your judgement, Viper. To pick my battles. To love you without clipping your wings.’ He lowered his head. Rey’s nose brushed skin over my collarbone, and I closed my eyes, running my hand through his dense black hair.
‘Am I such a burden?’ I asked softly, wondering how much it cost him to let me go.
‘Burden? No, you are my miracle.’ He smiled, pulling me closer, manoeuvring between my thighs until I straddled his legs. ‘All I’m asking for is a small concession. Keep me informed so I can help you, and before you go, give me the chance to retrieve our friend using coercion and diplomacy instead of force.’
‘Rey, she’s there all alone…’ I sounded small. Despite the reassurances I gave Irsha, every thought of Lily being held under lock and key resulted in a sharp pain that fed my dark memories.
‘I know, but I need allies. I don’t believe all Lumivitae work for Tivala. If it’s a faction or even one disgruntled mage, then Dagome still has an ally. Let me investigate before we break this thread,’ he said, and I winced.
‘You want me to choose?’ I asked quietly.
Rey shook his head. ‘No, my love. Just give me a little time. At least until the ball. I will use it to plan and analyse. If anything changes…’ He stroked my cropped hair, and I swallowed hard, embracing him. I knew he was right. There was more at stake than my friend’s well-being, but it was Lily, and I needed to do something.
‘Did they at least answer? Are they coming?’ I asked quietly, pressing my forehead to his, wishing I had his dragon’s ability to read his mind.
‘They are, and not just Lumivitae. The Dark Fae Empress answered my invitation. My brother and his mate will attend. Even the fae from Windmaster Island and the orc chieftain from the steppes are coming. Everyone wants to attend the last ball of Dagome.’ He sighed heavily while gently stroking my back. ‘Before I came for you, I did something questionable… something that tipped the scales, but…’
‘What did you do?’ I asked carefully, already knowing about the massacre at the royal council meeting.
‘I asked Tova to prepare a few small void cubes, modified so they couldn’t be activated,’ he said, and I held my breath. ‘Then I sent them to all who withdrew from their treaties with Dagome or considered allying with Tivalaran.’
‘You could have killed them,’ I said, pulling away, but he held me tight.
‘No; Tova assured me that would be impossible.’ He sounded uncertain, his hands flexing on my hips. ‘I wanted to face the threat of a future involving Tangra.’
I froze in his grasp, unsure how I felt about that. ‘You showed them that something so small could destroy their kingdom and taught them to fear it.’ I exhaled a deep sadness, settling within me. ‘Did Mlot’s madness teach you nothing?’
I stepped back, feeling his hands slide from my hips while he looked at me, eye flashing gold. ‘You should know better than anyone else that the world isn’t black and white, Viper. If this saves even one soldier’s life, I’ll be the terror others learn to fear.’
I knew my words were harsh. After everything I had done, what right did I have to criticise him? But somehow, this felt personal and too close to an act of malice. ‘And how is teaching them to fear magic helping with that?’
Rey’s jaw tightened. This time, when I took a step away from him, he didn’t attempt to stop me. ‘You’re mistaken, Viper. I didn’t teach them to fear magic. I taught them to fear me.’ His hands tightened on the chair armrest. ‘That’s why they’re all coming. That’s how I know the Herald of Lumivitae is bringing his wife.’
Whether the last sentence was to buy him my approval or absolution, I wasn’t ready to give either. Instead, I turned to leave. ‘I have matters to address in the Brotherhood. I’ll see you later,’ I said, wincing when his chair scraped harshly on the floor.
‘Sana.’ Reynard’s voice vibrated with tension, and I paused without turning around. His footsteps approached me slowly and deliberately. When he paused behind me, Rey inhaled as if he wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words. Finally, with a defeated huff, he said, ‘Tell Irsha to come to see me, please.’
‘As you wish,’ I answered, heading away. A weight that hadn’t been there before the council meeting was now crushing my shoulders.
I didn’t go to the Chapter House or even my own home; both places felt strangely alien right now. The first lacked the presence of my father, and the second, because I didn’t know if I could face Tova knowing he’d modified the cubes for Rey’s scheme.
I wandered around the city, letting the familiar noises calm me. I wasn’t sure why knowing he used the void cubes as his bogeyman bothered me so much, but it did. Still, Rey was fighting an arduous battle, navigating a political landscape that was shifting with each breeze, while a hurricane was brewing on the horizon.
