“He’s not my lover, and yes, he would sacrifice his career forme, his oldest and most devoted friend.” Draylon would bet anything he owned that Rufe had his back.
Avestan hadn’t moved, a warm, solid presence.
“Friends?” Father scoffed. “I’ve counted many among friends who’d happily stick a knife in my back if they saw an opportunity.”
Father chose friends for political gain like he did everything else. “Then you need to choose better friends.”
They stared at each other for several moments, locked in a silent battle of wills.
“You really mean this, don’t you? You’d defy me for your husband,” Father ventured again.
“For my family, which includes all those I hold dear. I would have liked for you to be among those, but you’ve already proven that you can’t be when you threaten those under my protection.” Draylon almost slipped and said,those I love, but it wouldn’t do to show too much.
“Ifyour familyran, you know I’d find them.” Apparently, Father wasn’t finished blustering yet.
“By sendingmysoldiers, you mean?”
“Your soldiers?”
“Yes. Mine.” Draylon imitated one of Father’s smirks, though his insides felt tied in knots.
Father visibly deflated. “Very well. I’ll take your words under advisement. You’re dismissed, Commander Draylon.”
“Not so fast. You’ve committed treason against your own people. You’ve betrayed your soldiers, your family, and your subjects. How many times over the years has this same situation played out? How many times have you killed a noble who’d angered you, given their lands and belongings to someone who’s curried your favor? I can think of several right offhand.”
Avestan gasped. “Father! Is this true?”
Oh right. In his anger, Draylon became insensitive. One of the men he suspected to have been killed had been Avestan’s dear friend.
Father snarled, “When you become emperor, feel the weight of the crown I bear, you’ll understand what must be done for the greater good.”
There he went again with his “for the greater good.” Draylon wrapped an arm around Avestan’s shoulders. “For the greater good, Father, you must abdicate your throne to Avestan. Effective immediately.”
Father yelled, spittle flying from his lips and face purpling. “Get out of my sight. Both of you! Guards!”
Two guards stormed through the door. “Yes, Your Majesty?” the first asked.
“I want these two men taken to the dungeon immediately!”
“Sire, I think you need to see something first,” one guard said, indicating the window.
Father strolled over, a sneer on his lips.
Again, Avestan gasped.
Draylon didn’t need to look to know what waited on the hillside. Row after row of soldiers, in various colors, indicating their home kingdoms. “Emperor, you’ve no choice but to step down. You can put me in a cage if you like. I’ll be out by nightfall.”
Suddenly more soldiers appeared on the horizon, bearing the black banner with a white goat of Delletina. So, the messenger got through. “Make that six kingdoms,” Draylon said. Without a doubt, Rufe ignored orders and now led the new regiment, even if someone had to tie him to his horse.
Father’s shoulders slumped. “I see you’ve left me with only one choice.” He grabbed a guard’s sword with one smooth motion. “And I choose to make it.” He swung the sword at Avestan’s head.
Yarif threw off his cloak, blocking the blow with a clang of steel against steel.
“You! How dare you!” Father screamed, spittle flying.
Father might be more experienced, but even wounded, Yarif had youth and skill on his side, darting under the wild swings with his slender blade.
He could’ve put Father down time and again but held back, pausing long enough to send a questioning gaze Draylon’s way.
