The War of Two Queens (Blood And Ash Series Book 4)
The War of Two Queens: Chapter 10

Standing in the bedchamber, I drew my finger across the ring. It now hung from a simple gold chain that Perry had given me. He’d used it for some sort of medallion, which he’d now sewn into the inside of his armor. The gift was beyond kind and allowed me to keep Casteel’s ring safe and close to me.

Nervous energy hummed through me. Valyn and the generals would be here soon, and the hardest part of carrying out our plans would take place—convincing them to go along with it. With all of it.

Antsy and finding the woolen material of the more form-fitted tunic scratchy, I wasn’t sure if it was my clothing or just anxiety. This was the first time I’d worn the tunic trimmed with fine gold thread at its knee-length hem and along the slits on either side. It was nearly identical to the one Kieran wore. His was shorter, hitting at the thigh, but it too had the golden scrollwork at the neck and across the halves of the tunic.

I thought about what I’d had Naill create for me. Come to find out, he was rather skilled with a needle and thread. Now that would be uncomfortable to wear.

But it would serve a purpose.

“Poppy,” Kieran said from the other side of the chamber. I looked over my shoulder to see that his sister had joined him.

“They’ve arrived. Roughly two hundred thousand,” Vonetta announced as I faced the siblings. “The remaining armies are stationed at Spessa’s End in case the Blood Crown turns their attention there, along with the Guardians and the younger draken who remained. I spoke with Valyn briefly and gave him a heads-up about what happened to the draken.”

“Thank you,” I murmured, slipping the ring back behind the collar of my tunic, where it rested between my breasts. I stepped forward to leave for the receiving chamber that had been prepared for their arrival.

“Wait.” Vonetta glanced up, her gaze flicking over the thick braid lying over my shoulder. “Where is the crown?”

Brows knitting, I gestured behind me. “It’s in the chest.”

“You should wear it.”

“I don’t need to wear a crown for them to remember I’m the Queen.”

“But it serves as a good reminder,” Kieran stated. “There will be generals here you’ve never interacted with before. For many of them, this will be the first time they’ve been in your presence outside of the coronation.”

In other words, they may be like Aylard. Distrustful and standoffish. I sighed, more annoyed than bothered by the idea of so many of the upper echelon of the army most likely being cold and wary of me.

“I guess I should retrieve the crown, then.” I turned, crossing the short distance to where the chest sat on the table beside a hairbrush that had seen much better days. The container was simple with no adornments or engravings, having previously been used by Perry to store cigars. The ruby and diamond crown that had once belonged to King Jalara was being kept in a crate that sat in the corner of the bedchamber under a muddy pair of boots—a fitting place for it.

Throwing the small latch, the rich scent of tobacco still lingered, faint but oddly pleasant as I slowly opened the lid. The gold crowns sat side by side, cushioned by a mound of cloth. The twisted bones, once a bleached, dull white, now shone, even in the low light. They were identical. One for a Queen. The other for a King. I didn’t think that they should ever be apart from each other. Maybe that was why I hadn’t worn the crown since the night I’d ended King Jalara’s life. It didn’t seem right to wear it while Casteel’s remained closed away in this chest and not upon his head.

“Allow me?” Vonetta touched my arm.

I didn’t realize I hadn’t moved until then—that I was frozen, unable to touch them. I nodded.

Vonetta reached inside, picking up the crown to the left. She brushed a shorter strand of my hair back, and my chest twisted as I thought of Tawny. How many times had she helped pin back the length of my hair so it wouldn’t be visible under the veil? Hundreds? Thousands? I swallowed hard.

Gods, I couldn’t let myself think of that right now. There was so much I couldn’t let myself think about. If I did, I truly wouldn’t be okay. I wouldn’t be strong. And I needed to be fearless right now.

Vonetta placed the gilded crown on my head, the weight lighter than I expected. The thin, golden teeth along the bottom of the crown caught in my hair, helping hold it in place. “There,” she said, smiling. But I tasted the tangy bite of sadness when I looked at her. “Perfect.”

I cleared my throat to ease the stinging. “Thank you.”

Her bright eyes warmed as she clasped my hands in hers and squeezed. “They will be here any moment.”

“I don’t want anyone to know what Isbeth sent,” I reminded them.

“We know,” Kieran assured me. Of course, they knew.

I took another breath. “I’m ready.”

Vonetta’s smile was less sad now, a bit stronger as she let go of my hands. I turned back to the small box. The sight of the lone crown twisted something in my chest as I carefully closed the lid. Soon, I promised myself and smoothed a hand over the wood. Soon the crown would sit upon Casteel’s head again. He would be beside me once more.

Nothing would stop me. Not the Atlantian generals. Not the Blood Queen. And not her stolen magic.

Emil had arrived, bowing his head as I walked into the much airier space of the receiving chamber. I stopped, glancing to where Reaver waited in his draken form.

Even I had no idea how he’d gotten into the chamber.

Loosely clasping my hands together, the nervous edginess ramped up as the sounds of clinking armor drew near. Reaver lifted his head, his curved horns brushing the ceiling as his nostrils flared.

Valyn Da’Neer was the first to enter, cradling his helmet under his left arm. Momentarily distracted by Reaver’s presence, he quickly lowered to one knee, bowing his head. Hisa did the same, even though she’d been with us since the beginning, her single, thick, dark braid sliding over an armored shoulder. There were others behind them, too, but when Valyn lifted his head, I was unable to look away, even though I wanted to.

Even though it hurt.

There was no preparing myself. He was fairer-haired than his youngest son, who shared the dark hair and golden-bronze skin of his mother, but the cut of his jaw, the straight nose, and the high cheekbones were unmistakably familiar.

All I saw when I looked upon Valyn were parts of Casteel. But I breathed through the hurt and forced my gaze on the others. Three men and two women entered with Aylard. I recognized Lord Sven, Perry’s father. The thick beard was new, giving his warm features a hardened edge. As they lowered themselves to their knees, I saw that Naill and Delano had joined us. The usual striking smile was absent from Naill’s face as he kept a close watch on the generals—as did the pure white wolven now stalking the chamber’s sides. Neither Delano nor Naill were being paranoid. The Unseen still posed a threat.

The slight brush of Kieran’s shoulder against mine called forth instructions that Casteel had once given. “You may rise.”

Valyn rose as I opened my senses, reaching out to my father-in-law. I brushed against what I imagined to be an iron and stone mental shield as strong as a Rise. That ancient hum of power in my chest told me I could break through it if I wished, shattering those shields. But there was no reason to do that.

There was no reason to even consider it.

With the advice Kieran had given me in the past echoing in my mind, I used my senses for my benefit. Curiosity and something warm surrounded me as I glanced at a fair-skinned woman with chin-length, icy-blond hair, and wintry-blue eyes. Determination tasted salty in my throat.

The generals had a wolven among them.

Happy to see that, I turned my attention to the others. Lemony uncertainty mixed with the same steadfastness as the wolven general reached me, which was expected. But there were…sharper, more biting undertones of unease that came from a dark-haired man and a brown-haired female with bright amber eyes. Their uncertainty was very much like Aylard’s, venturing into distrust. And it was deep, tangling with the thrum of power at my core. I had a feeling their misgivings extended beyond me to the wolven by my side and those who had entered behind them—to what we now represented. The Crown. Power.

We’d need to keep an eye on them.

From his corner, Reaver watched the former King approach me. Valyn clasped my hands in his, squeezing gently. He said nothing, but the gesture meant a lot to me despite still being furious with Eloana and having no idea if Valyn had been unaware of who the Blood Queen was.

“We heard about the draken,” Valyn said, turning to look in Reaver’s direction. “You have our sincere condolences.”

Reaver gave a slight nod of acknowledgment.

“If the Blood Crown is responsible, we will do everything in our power to make them pay tenfold,” he swore, releasing my hands and stepping back. Only then did Reaver lower his head.

“I hope the journey here was uneventful,” I said.

“It was, Your Highness,” Valyn answered.

I was a heartbeat from advising Valyn that he didn’t need to call me that, but using the formal title while in front of others or when business concerning Atlantia was being discussed was a sign of respect. “Would you care for something to drink?” I offered, gesturing to the table. “There is mulled wine and water.”

A quick smile appeared on Valyn’s face, hinting at the deep dimples his son shared. “That I would.” He glanced over his shoulder. “I’m sure Sven would also enjoy a glass.”

“Always,” the Atlantian Lord replied. I wasn’t quite sure how old Perry’s father was, as the visible, rich brown skin showed little signs of aging. He appeared to be in his third to fourth decade of life, but that could also mean he was seven or eight hundred years old. I reminded myself to speak to him later about his knowledge regarding old magic.

Emil turned to the table. “Would anyone else like a glass?”

There were nods from all except Aylard and the female Atlantian. As Emil poured, Kieran dipped his head toward mine. “The wolven is Lizeth Damron. The general between her and Sven is Odell Cyr,” he advised quietly, referring to an Atlantian with dark hair and skin that reminded me of the beautiful, smoky quartz Duchess Teerman liked to wear in her rings. “The one standing with Aylard is Lord Murin—a changeling.”

That was one of the males I had felt distrust from. “The female beside Murin?” I asked as Emil handed Valyn a glass of wine.

“That’s Gayla La’Sere.”

I turned to him as my gaze met Vonetta’s and said in a low voice, “La’Sere and Murin do not trust us.”

“Noted,” Vonetta murmured, her attention fixing on them.

Stepping forward, I affixed what I hoped was a welcoming smile on my face and not false like it felt. “I imagine all of you must be tired from traveling, but there is a lot we need to discuss. Namely, our plans regarding Oak Ambler.”

“Our plans?” Murin queried. His eyes were a fascinating color—sea glass. “I was unaware that plans had already been made, Your Highness. Then again, we were also unaware that you’d seized Massene.”

“Which is why I hope none of you are too fatigued from travel so we can discuss these plans,” I replied, his answering annoyance prickling against my skin. I met his stare. “This upsets you, which I can understand,” I told him, now tasting his icy surprise. He’d either forgotten what I could do or hadn’t expected me to use the ability. “But we could not wait to take Massene. They were turning innocent mortals, and they killed three of the wolven. Not only that, the Blood Crown has your King. We don’t have time to waste.”

“No, we don’t.” Valyn lowered his glass as Murin’s jaw hardened. “What are these plans?”

“We know that Oak Ambler is a vital port city for Solis. Goods are shipped there and then transported to most of the northwestern cities since it’s far safer to move with such large cargo by sea rather than attempting to cross the Blood Forest.” I kept my hands clasped to stop them from trembling as I glanced at Hisa. The commander gave me a small nod of encouragement. “It’s also the largest city in the northwest, next to Masadonia and Three Rivers.”

“It is,” Valyn said. “Oak Ambler is a lifeline to the eastern regions of Solis.”

“We want to make sure they cannot use the ports for their armies. If we secure Oak Ambler and the coast along the Wastelands, they will be forced to take the slower route to defend any of their other cities,” I began. “Admittedly, I don’t know much about battle strategy, but I imagine that the Blood Crown will attempt to move their forces from Eastfall,” I said, referencing a district within Carsodonia where the soldiers and guards trained. “And from the Willow Plains, where the bulk of their armies are stationed.”

“But thanks to the Blood Queen, we know that they have several thousand Royal Knights,” Kieran tacked on. “Vamprys that will not be able to travel during the day. Because of that, it’s likely they will keep the knights at the capital, moving forces consisting of mortals and possibly Revenants through Niel Valley.”

Approval hummed from Lizeth as Hisa said, “Other than Pensdurth and Masadonia, which have ports, we will be able to control supply to the cities and prevent their fleets from entering. It will be far harder for them to launch an attack from sea than it will be for us to defend on land.”

Cyr nodded. “Agreed.”

“You say control supply,” Gayla said, creases forming between her brows. “Would we not be cutting off supplies to those cities, as well?”

I focused on her. “Cutting off supplies such as food and other necessities does nothing to aid us. We cannot starve them out. The Ascended are secure within the Rise with their food source. All that would do is harm the innocents, and I don’t believe any Atlantian wants that.”

“We don’t,” Sven confirmed as a deepening pinch to Gayla’s features appeared.

“But would that not create instability in the cities that we could then exploit?” Aylard suggested, and that earned sharp agreement from the changeling, Murin. “Force the mortals to stand up for themselves and turn on the Ascended?”

“How many mortals do you know who have lived the majority of their lives under the Ascended’s rule?” I asked.

Aylard frowned. “I don’t believe I know many, but I don’t see what that has to do with wanting the mortals to fight for their freedom as fiercely as we will fight for them.”

“Perhaps you believe the mortals won’t fight the Blood Crown.” Murin’s gaze moved over my features, lingering on the left side of my face—on the scars. It used to bother me when someone saw them for the first time, but that was before I’d come to understand that they represented strength and survival—two things far more important than flawless skin. “I imagine you would know, as you spent the majority of your life as one of them.”

An acidic burst of irritation rolled off Vonetta as I carefully considered my response. I decided that honesty was the best approach instead of telling him to shut the hell up. Which I wanted to do. “There was a time when I didn’t doubt what the Ascended told me. Not enough to take notice of the inconsistencies or to truly question any of them. I didn’t even realize that the veil I wore and the chambers they kept me in were nothing more than a cage,” I said, aware that Valyn watched me closely, his drink forgotten in his hand. “But I did begin to question things, even before I met your King. It was all these little things that didn’t add up. It was how they treated their people and each other. It was how they lived. Questioning these little things began to unravel everything else, and it was not only overwhelming but also terrifying to begin realizing that everything I believed in was a lie. That’s not an excuse for not opening my eyes to the truth sooner, or for not being brave or strong enough to do so. That’s just reality.”

Delano edged around Emil, nearing Vonetta as I scanned the generals. “And that is the same reality for the millions who were born and raised under the Ascended’s rule and who weren’t afforded the privileges I had. Generation after generation are taught not only to fear the return of the Atlantians but to believe that any loss or strange death that takes a loved one in the middle of the night is their fault or that of their neighbors. That they brought the wrath of an angry god upon themselves or those around them.”

Gayla remained silent, shifting uncomfortably as Cyr finished off his wine in one gulp, clearly troubled. “To them, the Ascended are an extension of the gods. And questioning them, let alone fighting back, is like striking out against gods they believe will and already do retaliate in the most vengeful, spiteful ways. Not only that, they’ve seen what happens to those even suspected of being Descenters or for simply questioning the Rite or an unfair tax. There are no legitimate trials. No real evidence is required. Punishment is swift and final. I ask how we can expect them to fight back while they’re trapped with those who will brutally strike—and have struck out—against them.”

“We couldn’t.” Cyr rubbed a hand along his jaw as his golden eyes narrowed.

“Not until they know they have support,” Kieran added quietly. “Not until they know they’re not alone in this fight for their freedom. If we can convince them that we are not the enemy—that we have come to help them by removing the Blood Crown from power and stopping the Rite—I imagine they will find the strength to fight back.”

“And how would we do that when we’re about to seize their cities?” Murin asked.

I smiled at him even though his blue-green eyes were hard as chips of ice. “One way is by not starving them.”

Murin’s lips pressed together into a thin line.

“Another way is doing everything possible not to harm them during the siege,” I added. “Or cause them to suffer loss.”

A rough, short laugh came from Aylard. “I mean no disrespect, Your Highness, but you did say you knew very little of battle strategy. One would expect that with you being so…young,” he said, and I arched a brow. “People will suffer loss. We lucked out with Massene, but innocent people will likely die when we take Oak Ambler. That is not only expected but unavoidable.”

“Is it?” I queried.

“Yes,” Aylard confirmed.

“Perhaps my youth allows me to be a bit more optimistic.” I tilted my head slightly. “Or maybe it just allows me to think differently. Either way, no one on the Council of Elders wants war. Neither do I. Nor does your King. We want to avoid that, but war is inevitable. The Blood Crown cannot be reasoned with, even if some Ascended can be. But that doesn’t mean there has to be a great loss of life and property. Which is what will happen if we make war like before and ride through the cities, tearing through the people as they try to run for safety.”

“No one wants to do that,” Gayla argued. “But what I haven’t heard is how you plan to avoid that and be successful. Our previous methods may have been brutal, but they were effective.”

“Were they, though?” I countered.

A cool burst of surprise rippled from many of them, but Valyn lifted his brows. “Considering where we stand today, the answer would be no. We retreated. We didn’t win.” He glanced at the generals. “And we need to remember that.”

I fought a wider smile, knowing that wouldn’t help win the generals over. “To answer your question, we’ve given the Duke and Duchess of Castle Redrock a chance to avoid a siege if they agree to our demands.”

A muscle flexed along Murin’s jaw. “What were your demands?”

“They were quite simple. Only five,” I stated. “Denounce the Blood Crown and all that involves the Rite. They were to agree to no longer feed from the unwilling and order all Ascended and guards—mortal and vampry alike—who answer to them, to stand down. Finally, they had to agree to forfeit their positions of authority over mortals and cede them to Atlantian rule.” Temporary Atlantian rule, but I left that part out. I didn’t think we had any business ruling over mortals, but that was something I needed to discuss with Casteel.

“And how did they respond to the demands?” Murin demanded.

I glanced at Kieran, who pulled the missive from the breast pocket of his tunic. He handed it over. I unfolded the parchment, the one-sentence reply clearly visible.

We agree to nothing.

“Of course.” Murin sneered. Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ FindNʘᴠᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

“Their response was disappointing but not unexpected.” I glanced down at the slip of paper, calling forth the Primal essence. Just an ember of energy sparked from the tips of my fingers and swept over the parchment. Within a heartbeat, ash fell to the ground. Knowing I was showing off, I lifted my gaze to the generals. Many stared at the dusting of ash, their eyes wide. “Was it, Kieran?”

“No,” he confirmed. “That is why a few stayed behind after Emil delivered the missive. They watched, speaking with mortal business owners and those who displayed tendencies of a Descenter. They spoke to as many mortals as possible, warning them that if the Ravarels didn’t accept our demands, we would take the city come tomorrow.”

Another wave of disbelief screamed from the generals as Aylard muttered, “I didn’t agree to any of this, by the way.”

I really disliked that man.

Valyn’s features had locked down. “I’m not sure if that was a wise move.” He looked at Hisa. “You agreed with that?”

“I did.” Hisa nodded. “It gives the people a chance to leave the city before they get caught between our forces.”

“But”—Gayla stressed the word—“they now know we’re coming.”

“They’ve known that for quite some time,” I replied.

Sven scratched at his beard as he drifted away from the generals, nearing the other table that had a rough map of the city drawn up. “The Royals would’ve already started preparing for an invasion the moment our Queen relieved them of a King.”

“Except now they know exactly when we will take their city,” Murin reasoned.

“It is a risk,” I agreed. “One that we decided was worth it.”

“That map?” Lizeth followed Sven, glancing at Hisa as she gestured at the drawing. “This is your work?”

A brief grin appeared. “It is.”

“Knew it,” the wolven general murmured.

“So, let’s say your plan works. The people flee the city, leaving it somewhat open to us.” Valyn joined the others at the map. “Where would the Ascended be found?”

“Anytime the Ascended were under threat in Masadonia or in the capital, they retreated to the Royal Seat, where they would be protected by the interior Rise.” I walked over to them, Delano at my side and flanked by Kieran and Vonetta. “I imagine many, if not all, will be in Castle Redrock when we take the city during the day.”

“When they will be at their weakest.” Murin nodded, having finally made his way over.

“Any Ascended who attacks should be killed,” Hisa continued on to another part of the plan that would also likely not sit well. “Any who stand down and do not fight should be captured and left unharmed.”

“They will need to be spoken to, and it will need to be determined if they can be trusted to abide by the demands,” I said. “Not all Ascended are bloodthirsty monsters. I know this. My brother wasn’t.”

Murin looked up, his brows lifting. “And what of our King? Would he agree with that? With any of this?”

My fingers curled inward, digging into my palms. “If you have to ask that question, then you do not know your King at all.” I held his stare until he looked away. And I held myself still until I was confident that I wouldn’t do something rash and very unbecoming of a Queen.

Like stab him in the face.

Murin’s jaw worked. “Are there any more unexpected guidelines?”

“There are.” I smiled at him, enjoying the little prick of acidic anger that came from the Lord. “If possible, no homes or buildings should be damaged. The people who flee will need places to return to. And the outer Rise? It must remain intact. It protects the people from the Craven.” Guilt slithered like snakes in my veins. Wasn’t I a hypocrite to stand here and speak of the importance of the Rise when I had nearly taken down an entire section of the very structure in a fit of rage? I exhaled slowly. “They will need that protection once we are finished. We’ll take down the gate. That will be enough.”

“It will be better for us not to funnel through one opening,” Murin argued. “Hell, it would be better if we just sent what draken remain and have them handle this.”

Reaver’s eyes narrowed, obviously not impressed by the statement. Neither was I.

“Winning the mortals’ trust won’t be easier if we take down their Rise,” I said, surprised that I even had to voice that. “Yes, it would be easier for us, but if we did that, then a larger portion of our army would need to remain to protect Oak Ambler from the Craven or anyone who seeks to exploit the failure of the Rise instead of blocking any western advancement.”

There were murmurs of understanding, but hot, acidic anger brimmed beneath Aylard’s surface and filled my throat. “I don’t think mortals—their trust or general welfare—should be our concern right now,” Aylard argued. “We need Oak Ambler. We need—”

“We need peace when this is finished.” I let a bit of the humming energy come to the surface as I fixed my stare on Aylard. The moment the tinge of silver filled the corners of my vision, he took a step back. “We may need many things, but we are not conquerors. We are not takers. We will use what power and influence we have to destroy the Blood Crown and free your King. We need to live side by side in peace with the people of Solis when this is finished. That will never happen if we prove what the Ascended have claimed about us to be true by leaving them defenseless and burning down their homes in the process.”

His pale cheeks flushed. “With all due respect, Your Highness, I fear that you remember too much of what it’s like to be mortal. You’re far more concerned about them than you are with securing the future and safety of your people.”

Delano’s lips peeled back in a low growl as the eather in my chest hummed, and I welcomed the essence, letting the power come to the surface as I stepped forward. Gasps echoed around me as silvery light edged the corners of my vision, followed by icy darts of shock. In the back of my mind, I realized this was the first time most of the generals had ever seen this.

Witnessed who I really was.

They knew, but seeing was…well, I imagined it was something else entirely. “Showing concern and empathy for the mortals doesn’t mean I have no concern for my people. Thinking of their futures means I’m thinking of our future, for they will be intertwined, whether wanted or not. It is the only successful path forward as we will not retreat beyond the Skotos Mountains. This war will be the last one.”

Energy charged the space inside the chamber. Aylard had stiffened, his golden eyes wide while Lizeth slowly lowered to one knee. She placed one hand over her heart, and the other flat against the floor.

“Meyaah Liessa,” she whispered, a slow smile spreading across her face.

They all followed, lowering before me—the generals, Hisa, my father-in-law, Naill, Emil, and the Contou siblings. Primal essence spilled into the space around me. Reaver’s strong, leathery wings unfurled, sweeping over the generals’ heads.

I stared down at Aylard. At all of them. “I was born with the flesh and fire of the Primal god in my blood. Make no mistake, with each passing day, I feel less like a mortal than I did the day before.”

The truth of my words entrenched deep in my bones. Into those empty, hollow places inside me. And each time those holes spread, I felt…colder and more detached, less mortal. And I had no idea if that would change or grow. If that was because of Casteel’s absence and everything there or something else. But at the moment, I truly didn’t care.

“I am not mortal. Neither am I Atlantian. I am a god,” I reminded them. “And I will not choose between the mortals and the Atlantians when I can choose both.” I pulled the eather back in, and it wasn’t easy. It seemed as if it had a mind of its own and wanted to lash out. To show all of them exactly how much I wasn’t mortal.

But a part of that was a lie.

The essence of the Primal wasn’t uncontrollable. It was an extension of me. What it wanted was a desire I had. It was what I wanted.

Left uneasy by that, I banked the power and closed off my senses. The silvery glow receded, and the air settled. Reaver tucked his wings back, close to his sides. “I imagine that is what a god would do, would they not? They would choose all.”

Lizeth nodded slowly. “I would think so.”

“Good.” I smoothed my hand over my tunic, feeling the toy horse in its pouch at my hip as I concentrated on the brand of the ring between my breasts. “I want your support because what we do at Oak Ambler will set the tone for what is to come. How we treat the mortals and the Ascended who agree to our demands will be spoken of in other cities. And heard. That will aid us, long after the war is finished. It will show that our intentions are good in case…”

I looked at those gathered, realizing I needed to do as Cas had taught me. “You may rise.”

“In case of what?” Valyn asked quietly, the first to get to his feet.

I met his stare as pressure landed on my shoulders. “In case our intentions have to change.”

Gayla’s focus sharpened on me, and there seemed to be some sort of understanding there. As if she knew that I recognized that this was the best-case scenario.

That I knew all of this could go south and there could be untold losses of life on both sides. But I, with their help, would do everything to prevent that from happening.

The tension slowly eased from the room as we discussed how we planned to take Oak Ambler and then how we believed the Blood Queen had discovered a way to harness Primal energy. But when Valyn turned to me, I knew it would only be a short reprieve. “What will happen after we take Oak Ambler?”

“We might as well all get back on our knees,” Emil said with a sigh. “Because you’re not going to like this either, and then she’s going to go full god on us again.”

Vonetta shot him a narrowed-eye glare.

“I would like to go on record now,” Hisa spoke, and I sent her a look identical to the one Emil had received from Vonetta. Undaunted, Hisa lifted her chin. “This is a new part of the plan that I don’t agree with.”

“We will have to confront the Blood Crown on many different fronts,” I said. “Atlantia will need to hold Oak Ambler while a sizable force travels westward, securing the cities between here and Carsodonia.”

“Sounds good.” Valyn hadn’t taken his eyes off me. “But what are your plans?”

There had been some uncertainty about sharing what I planned, especially since we couldn’t be sure we didn’t have a traitor in our midst. But according to both Kieran and Hisa, for them to accept Vonetta as Crown Regent, I needed to officially announce the appointment. A proclamation that would inevitably lead to questions.

The information had to be shared. “Once Oak Ambler is secured, I will leave for Carsodonia with a small group. But I’m not going there for the Blood Queen or to take the capital. I’m going for our King. I’m bringing him back with me.”

Aylard stiffened. “I didn’t know this.”

“No one is remotely surprised to hear that,” Murin snapped.

“I cannot agree to this,” Valyn said. “You are the Queen, but—”

“You will not be without leadership. Vonetta will be assuming the role of Crown Regent, acting on my behalf,” I announced, much to the surprise and even displeasure of a few of the generals. “Her word will be obeyed as mine would.”

“I don’t give a damn about leadership right now. It’s you that I’m concerned about,” Valyn said, and my head jerked toward him. “You are the Queen, but you are also my daughter-in-law.”

Surprise rose, momentarily leaving me speechless. “And it is your son who’s being held captive in Carsodonia.”

“Haven’t forgotten that.” Valyn moved closer. “Think about that every waking moment because both of my sons are there.”

My heart twisted. “Then you, more than anyone, shouldn’t want to stop me. The longer she has him, and the more cities we take, the more he’s in danger.” More than I already endangered him. “I cannot risk that.”

“I, more than anyone, understand why you feel the need to do this. The gods know I want my sons here. I want them both safe and healthy. But not a single member of my family has ever entered Carsodonia and returned as they were when they left—if they returned at all.” Valyn’s stare met mine. “I will not have that happen to you.”

My family.

Valyn considered me part of his family. My throat constricted as a wealth of emotion threatened to rise unchecked. I tamped it down. I had to.

“She will not be alone,” Kieran spoke quietly. “I, nor any of us, will allow anything to happen to her. Neither will she.”

Valyn’s amber eyes flared as he looked at Kieran. “You not only support this but plan to go with her? As the advisor? I would’ve expected different from you.”

“My support of this has little to do with being Advisor to the Crown,” Kieran stated. “Unlike last time Cas was taken, I will not stand by. And I will not try to stop her and fail, only to have her go off by herself. No way either of those things are happening. And maybe that makes me a poor choice as advisor. I don’t know. And I don’t care.”

I blinked away the burn in my eyes and cleared my throat. “I know what kind of risk this is, but I’m willing to take it. I can’t wait until we cross Solis.” I pressed a hand to my chest, feeling the ring under my tunic. “He cannot wait for that.”

Valyn shook his head slowly as the others looked on. “Penellaphe,” he said softly. “I know you care for my son greatly. That you would do anything for him. And I know that you are powerful—more so than the whole of our armies. But this is too much of a risk. One my son would never want you to take.”

“You’re right. Casteel would never want me to take such a risk, not even for him. Not even when he would do the same if it were me who had been taken. But he also wouldn’t try to stop me.”

Valyn’s eyes slammed shut for a brief moment. “Then I will go with you.”

“Absolutely not,” I said, my heart stopping. His eyes flew open. “You know exactly what she will do if she has you in her grip. Eloana knows exactly what the Blood Queen will do.”

Silence fell around us as Valyn stared back at me. He knew that I spoke the truth. Not only did Isbeth blame both of them for her son’s death and Malec’s entombment, but she would do it just to lash out at Eloana. I would not have his blood on my hands.

“As your Queen, I forbid it,” I stated, and he turned his head, a muscle ticking under his temple at the outright demand—the pulling of rank. “At noon tomorrow, we will take Oak Ambler, and then I will leave for Carsodonia while the Atlantian armies continue on as planned,” I told him—told them all. “My mind won’t be changed.”

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