“Which I usually am.”
“The Huntress is rubbing off on you.” A corner of his mouth ticked up.
The mere mention of her name threatened to puncture the veil of control I’d forced myself into. The heat inside of me blazed harder.
“There must be a more dangerous reason the Serpents want us on that side of the river,” Zandyr went on. “Something with which they could have overwhelmed us.”
“NowthatI might consider betting on.”
“I wonder how much our demises are worth at the betting tables.” He huffed a laugh that sounded exhausted. “People keep saying the two of us are important.”
As important as any other mortal soul. Not enough and too much at the same time. “Anything short of a full vault of gold would be insulting.”
“Ryker,” he said, tone darkening. “I need you to promise me something. If I die–”
“I amnottaking your throne,” I said. The mere idea of his death trembled me. “You have two parents and two wives who can decide. And two advisors who will stop at nothing to destroy whatever succession plan they come up with. Your death would be extremely inconvenient.”
I wasn’t about to tell him his demise would wound the Clan and everyone who cared about him. Nobody needed that pressure.
“Not the throne, that will go to Evie,” he said.
“Not until you solve the issue with your first wife,” I muttered.
Zandyr tightened his jaw, but didn’t argue. He couldn’t–he knew he was in the wrong and I wouldn’t pretend otherwise.
“Evie will get the throne,” he repeated. “But she has not led an army. You need to promise me you’ll protect our warriors.”
I straightened, turning to face him.
This wasn’t a normal request. It was hoisting a destiny onto me, one I had not asked for and couldn’t have even imagined a few years ago.
One I did not want.
But if duty called, I would answer it.
“You think you even have to ask?” I said, at last.
He sighed in relief. “Thank you.”
I watched him, this prince they called the Dragon, ready to face the grimmest outcome with the courage Clan heirs needed, but lacked. Allie was the same. Death, to her–at least her own–was something to be laughed at. If only she knew how much the mere idea of it shook me.
“Don’t talk about your death so casually.” I narrowed my eyes on him. “You don’t need to invite more misfortune. It’s already here.”
I remembered her face as those words passed her lips. Enraged at the crater not letting her pass. Fearful about what it might mean.
And I wasn’t there to hold her and abate those fear–if she’d even let me.
“I have to. Kleonos will take great pleasure in parading my decapitated head through all of Malhaven,” he said.
“Especially don’t talk about that beast,” I hissed.
The Battlefield Butcher had indeed been handed the reins of the Serpent army. Which meant we now had to right his own Clan’s wrong, and execute him.
“War is ruthless, but it has rules. That’s how it’s always been and that’s how it should be.” He shook his head. “We’re not ready for what’s waiting for us.”
A new surge of heat hit me. I bent my spine with a groan.
“You alright?” he asked, concerned.
