Normally, I don’t have much patience for diplomacy, but right now, even I think it’s the better option. I look meaningfully at Fairon, hoping he can stop this from escalating. I’m honestly surprised he hasn’t spoken up before now.Why is he hesitating?
“Your Majesty,” he addresses his grandfather at last. “PrincessMorgana has traveled a long way, leaving her kingdom behind at a crucial moment to ensure that Leonidas was safely transported here.”
I’m sure it’s no accident that he emphasizes her title. Best to remind the king that he once considered her position an asset.
His Majesty stands taller, Fairon’s words bringing a degree of control to his features. But as he looks past the crown prince to fix his gaze on Morgana, my instincts go on alert. This version of His Majesty isn’t necessarily safer than the one who was shouting and raging moments ago.
“Your Highness,” he says to Morgana. On the surface, he’s calm as the eye of a storm, but I can see the rage shining in his sunken eyes. “I want to make something very clear to you. If what I haveheard about Leonidas is true, then I hold you responsible. If you have robbed Filusia of one of its princes, I will consider you an enemy of the kingdomforever.” His eyes narrow on the final word.
Morgana listens patiently, but a hint of color enters her cheeks, and a light flickers in her hazel eyes. My hope flickers with it.
“I couldn’t take Leon away from Filusia, Your Majesty,” the princess says. Her voice is quiet but firm. “I couldn’t steal him from you, because Leon isn’t a dog to be ordered around or an object to use however you please. He had every right to leave—and you can’t blame Fairon for his brother’s choices, either.”
“You presume to tellmewhat to do, Princess Morgana?” the king replies. “Me, who has seen dynasties rise and fall before you were even a twinkle in your mother’s eye? You think you can walk in here after killing my grandson and scold me for how I treated him when he was alive?” A cold, angry smile plays on his lips. “Clearly, there’s no end to your arrogance.”
The princess doesn’t flinch. If anything, the king’s rage lit a fire under her. Maybe it’s a relief to have an enemy she can look in the face. Whatever the reason, I’m glad for it.
“The good news,” she says, “is that Leonis notdead. And he won’t be dying anytime soon. Not on my watch. I will find a way to bring him back,” her gaze grows fiercer. “Even if I have to personally march into the Eternal Realm to do it.”
She seems so certain, a core of steel wrapped up in what the king might have once thought was an unimpressive package. We fae are known to underestimate humans, but only a fool would doubt her words in this moment.
“Now if you’ll excuse me, Your Majesty,” the princess says and turns her back on the king to return to the captain’s side.
The king watches her go with an icy stare. I look to Fairon once again, but the crown prince is silent. It’s strange. His defense of the princess was pretty weak before, and now he says nothing. His Majesty may be formidable, but I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve seen Fairon stand up to him to argue this point or that one. He’s used to trying to persuade the king to a softer point of view.
So for him to not back the princess up now…
“Velrir,” His Majesty snaps, calling his head of guard forward. It seems Velrir didn’t stay demoted for long after we left. I have no doubt the king is about to order him to drag the princess out of here, and that’s not going to end well for anyone.
I start to speak, my mouth moving before I can stop myself.
“If you’d please, Your Majesty.”
I’d ask myself what I’m doing, but the answer is obvious: getting shit done. I may be a warrior, not a politician, but if everyone is going to stand around and let this happen,someoneneeds to dosomething.
The king turns his gaze on me.
“What is it?” he demands.
I bow, frantically trying to organize the words in my mind.
“I’m sorry to interrupt, Your Majesty, but I believe Her Highness may be right when she says there is a way to save Prince Leonidas.”
The king tilts his head, eyes narrowed in suspicion as he takes me in. He’s never felt particularly warm toward our unit—he sees us as a bad influence on his grandson, even if we are useful to the King’s Sword. But not even he can doubt how loyal we are to the captain. He knows I have the prince’s best interests at heart.
“And what makes you say that, Lady Rhymis?” he asks.
“I’ve listened to the dryads and an expert on Ethiran legend talking these past few hours,” I say, glossing over Lafia and Mal’s true origins. “And they have devised a plan I think could work.”
“Your Majesty, I must protest.”
I stiffen as Healer Yanda strides forward, full of indignation. She’s going to ruin everything.
“What thatexpertand her half-blood friend have proposed is against the laws of nature,” the healer snaps. “It shouldn’t—mustn’t—be done if we’re to maintain the sacred balance of life.”
The king, I notice, doesn’t look entirely convinced.
“With all due respect, Healer Yanda, Agathyrian ways are not our ways,” I say. “I’m not sure we should let your religious concerns interfere with a workable plan.”
