“And if they still don’t believe us?” King Frederich’s voice was growing brittle. “If they side with Chendas and turn on us? We do not have the power to attack even Chendas alone, much less defend ourselves against three other kingdoms.”
“Allys would side with us,” Erich responded.
“Allys barely has half our fighting power. Their support would be appreciated, but would not turn the tide of this war.” Ian’s practical voice entered the conversation for the first time.
Meena’s stomach bent into the now familiar uncomfortable twist. The ideal solution wouldn’t involve going to war.
“So what do you plan to do?” Erich no longer sounded like her carefree older brother. “Sit back and wait for the battle to come to us? Just like we’ve always done? The attack is still coming. And it’s not the one we prepared for.”
“We don’t know what Gareth wants. His lack of communication is disconcerting. No threat, no attempt to reconcile—” King Frederich started to respond.
“He wants me dead,” Erich cut him off. “Did you forget that part?”
“Enough.” A hand slammed down on a wooden surface.
Meena jumped backward, the sound of the slap reverberating through the door and tickling her ear. She held in a sigh and rolled her eyes. They were too focused on disagreeing with each other to ask the right questions.
“It’s been three days and we don’t know who has the power here,” her father continued. “Our first priority is to the people of Iseldis.”
“My wife needs to know her family is safe!” Erich continued to raise his voice, speaking louder than the king.
“Are they talking about me?”
Meena’s whole body started in surprise. Her new sister, Aizel, was crouching next to her in the hall. Meena had been so engaged in the conversation happening in the next room that she completely missed Aizel’s quiet approach.
“Sorry!” Aizel whispered, placing a calming hand on Meena’s shoulder.
“No, it’s fine.” Meena smiled a quick welcome. “I was just ...” She gestured toward the closed door. “And yes, they are.” Meena looked away, embarrassed at her family’s actions. She didn’t want Aizel to be offended by her father’s median stance, but she also was not ready to defend her father’s position to her new sister.
“Do you do this often?” Aizel’s eyes darted around the small hall, taking in the situation. Meena admired her presence of mind. Aizel wouldn’t let anyone approach her by surprise.
“Only when they don’t invite me and I know something is going on,” Meena answered.
King Frederich’s voice cut through the door, stopping further conversation between Meena and Aizel. “We will do everything in our power to help whom we can. But we cannot instantaneously turn our enemies into our allies and our previous allies into our new enemies. We do not even have a representative from the Majis to create an alliance with.”
Meena rolled her eyes again, pinching her lips in exasperation. She turned back toward Aizel to fill her in on what they had been discussing, but Aizel’s hand was on the door.
“They’ll only kick us out,” Meena hissed, grabbing Aizel’s shoulder.
“I won’t let them,” Aizel responded, throwing the door wide open. “Did you ever consider speaking about it with this particular Majis?” Aizel stepped into the room, her eyes scanning each of its occupants.
Meena followed Aizel into the room, avoiding her father’s gaze. “You don’t have to invitemeto every meeting,” Meena said. “But at least consider if you are leaving out someone important.” Meena knew her words were more bitter than they needed to be, but it was too late to take them back. She was hurt they hadn’t included her in this family discussion, but it felt even more ridiculous that they hadn’t included Aizel—someone who would have knowledge and an important opinion on the matters at hand.
“I didn’t want to worry you,” Erich soothed.
Aizel spun to face him. “This won’t happen again.” Her voice was firm, but not angry. “I didn’t wed you to be coddled and spoiled. I will not rest until my people see justice and I will participate in this conversation.” Her eyes went from Erich’s to King Frederich’s.
Meena pumped her fist in victory.
One day, she would command a room as Aizel did, with confidence, calm, and clarity.
Chapter 4
Leaning into the swirling wind, Sol kept his arm on the stumbling Neven as they pushed through the dark forest. He couldn’t tell if the wind was creating their path, or if the protective bubble of air was following his lead. Either way, they were moving as quickly away from their pursuers as they could.
Sol kept his ears alert for any sound of danger from those behind them, or aid from those ahead of him.
The low rumble of an owl’s hoot made its way under the higher pitch of the wind’s whistle.
