Emperor Soland was dead.
Long live Emperor Avestan.
Draylon met Vihaan in the hallway with May, both approaching the door. “Did the guards tell you what you’d find?”
May nodded. “Don’t you worry. I’ve been hiding bodies since before you were born. And no one will ever see that dagger again.” On that cryptic note, she strolled down the hallway to the office.
“The guards turned our decoys away at the gates. They returned safely to the troops.” Vihaan fell into step with Draylon. “I take it we won’t be attacking?”
“No. The emperor wants to sit down with the commanders. Are you aware that Delletina is now represented among our ranks outside?”
“No! I had no idea. So, are they joining the empire?” Vihaan hurried to catch up to Draylon’s longer strides.
“Possibly.”
“When you say emperor…”
Draylon paused, turning to face Vihaan. “Avestan Aravaid.” He gave Vihaan a warning look. “You must swear to me that no one will ever hear the truth of today from your lips.”
“You have my word.” Vihaan saluted with his arm across his body.
“As one of his first acts in the lofty position, I’ll suggest he send your armies home.”
Vihaan grinned. “Sounds good to me. Let’s go call off the hounds, shall we?”
“Not so fast. I want him to keep you as an advisor.” With Draylon in Renvalle, Avestan would need someone he could trust in the military.
Vihaan mock pouted. “And here I thought we were friends.”
As he grew closer to the front lines on his borrowed horse, Draylon searched out… there! Bypassing questions, he dismounted and wrapped Yarif in an embrace. “It’s over.”
“Really? What about the children?”
Vihaan bowed. “Once things settle, May will send someone to retrieve them from Countess Exa, Your Majesty.”
Yarif’s relief was palpable, worry lines easing from his features. “The twins have been well taken care of, though they might not want to return.”
“Why not?” Vihaan lifted a bemused brow.
“Exa raises horses and dogs. The twins love both.”
“Then we’ll have to get them horses and dogs,” Draylon supplied. “But all that can wait. Right now, I just want to revel in the horror being over. Later, we’ll meet with Aves… excuse me, Emperor Avestan.”
Yarif winced. “Is this going to be a good thing?”
“A very good thing. I trust my brother with my life. Now, come. Let’s go home.”
Emperor Avestan sat at the head of the long table, Yarif to his right, Draylon to his left. Two trusted advisors and a bandaged Rufe rounded out the Renvalle contingent, as indeed, he’d defied orders to lead the Delletinian soldiers. Draylon’s handpicked guards stood against the walls.
Draylon expected no less, though as commander, he’d have to have strong words for his subordinate soon.
Eyeing Avestan from across an expanse of polished oak sat King Niam of Delletina, who cast interested glances at Rufe while trying to appear not to. Draylon knew the feeling quite well, having often been unable to keep from watching Yarif. The remaining commanders filled out the room.
Avestan nodded when Draylon stood and began to speak. “The situation we’re here to discuss is to be kept in the deepest confidence, though you know most of it. Emperor Soland Aravaid conspired with Commander Illa Trandores to lure King Lleval into a trap, then kidnapped King Consort Yarif to try to force conflict between Cormir and Delletina, to take Delletina with her newfound gold mines, into the empire. They planned to kill the king consort to fulfill their aims and even conspired with Craice.”
Avestan’s eyes misted, but he held his head high.
Draylon continued, “Instead, Renvalle and Delletina formed an alliance.”
