The Complete Madion War Trilogy

by S. Usher Evans

  Theo

  Galian made a noise, and his face flamed bright red. "Mom, you can't be serious."

  "Galian, we have no visibility into the operations in Duran, and right now, Olivia is our only—"

  "Olivia?" I said, sitting up. There was only one Olivia I knew of, and based on the way Galian wouldn't meet my gaze, I had a pretty good idea who they were talking about.

  "Just hear me out," Korina said, with a half-smile to me. "As far as either Silas or Olivia are concerned, you are uninvolved in all politics and political dealings, correct?"

  Galian waited a long time to respond. "Correct."

  "And so, if you were to, say, call up Olivia and ask her on a date—"

  "Mother." Galian's arm tightened around me protectively. "Theo is right here."

  "I'm asking you to take her on a few more dates, son," Korina said with a heavy roll of her eyes. "You don't have to sleep with every girl you take to dinner."

  Kader snorted behind me, and, despite all the pressure and my nerves, I found Galian's indignation, as well as his assumption that every date had to end in sex, a little...funny. But I kept my face stoic for his sake, because he looked most uncomfortable.

  "Galian, this is very important," Korina said. "We need Silas to meet with the barethium miners. We were nearing an agreement before the tidal wave, and if we don't act quickly, all that work will be undone. Make no mistake, they will force your father to reopen Mael. Right now, our only way into Collins shipbuilding is through Olivia."

  Galian looked at me, his eyes pleading with me to say something in his defense, but Korina was right. I squeezed his hand. "Amichai, it's all right. I know it doesn't mean anything."

  "Besides, you're going to have your work cut out for you. If Silas won't even take your call, Rhys, they must be very upset, indeed," Korina replied. "It will take all of your...charm to win her over."

  "Especially considering how our last date ended..." Galian muttered under his breath. There was a story I desperately wanted to know, but I wouldn't ask him in front of an audience.

  "That's settled then," Korina said brightly. "Gally, we'll need you to work quickly, so please give Olivia a call tonight."

  "But Theo..."

  "Is leaving tonight," Kader interjected, and my heart broke a little at the reminder. "So tonight will be fine."

  Galian slumped, so I leaned over and whispered, "Just pretend she's one of those girls in Jervan."

  A chuckle rumbled in his chest, and he tightened his hold around me.

  "Now, that's settled. Theo, Eli, how are things across the sea?"

  Just like that, I was on the spot and my face warmed considerably. Korina made me incredibly nervous—not only was she the queen of Kylae, but, as Galian's mother, I really wanted to impress her. And what I had to say wasn't very impressive.

  "It took us a few weeks to get in touch with the right person," Kader said, saving me from having to tell the tale. "There's a bakery Anson's using to funnel some of his money, but we couldn't figure out which one. It took nearly ten thousand crowns just to get the name."

  Korina nodded. "So you need more?"

  I winced and stared at my hands.

  "It would appear so. We told the baker we'd be back within the week with the full amount to arrange a meeting. Twenty-five thousand crowns."

  I swallowed my discomfort. Although I believed Korina was on the right side of things, knowing that I was giving Kylaen money to the Raven rebels still sat uncomfortably in my stomach. It wasn't so much the source of the money, but that we were giving it under false pretenses. After what had happened to me in Malaske, I was still a little gun shy.

  "What will meeting with this baker do? Will it guarantee an audience with Anson?"

  I tightened my grip on the folds of my pants as Kader replied, "Doubtful. The baker is simply a front, perhaps fourth tier in the organization. Our hope is that we can secure a meeting with someone on the third level."

  Anson was the elusive leader of the rebels. He was once a highly decorated general, responsible for three bases on the northern coast of the country. But he'd had a falling out with Bayard when the conscription age had been lowered from fifteen to twelve, and he'd been fomenting rebellion in the slums of Veres for almost a decade. His military background made him a cunning strategist, and even though he didn't have Emilie's money or resources, he was winning the spin war against her. He had a penchant for poetry, and was known for his heavy use of symbolism to convey messages to the people.

  His strategy also consisted of having a web of low-level operatives doing his dirty work. It wasn't unheard of for someone two or three levels into the organization never to have even laid eyes on their leader. That, of course, made arranging a meeting with him even trickier.

  "Theo, is there a problem?" Korina asked.

  I glanced up, unsure why I had drawn her attention. "N-no. Sorry."

  She offered me a kind smile, but there was a little scrutiny in her gaze. "Johar, how are we progressing on the assassination attempt investigation?"

  I relaxed against Galian, glad the attention was off me and my extreme lack of progress. But he didn't relax with me. His attention was on Johar, who was spearheading the investigation into who'd tried to assassinate Galian last year, killing his guard, Dave Martin, instead.

  Johar had even less to discuss than we did, mentioning that she couldn't investigate fully while still guarding Galian.

  "I know," Korina said with a small grimace. "Is there anyone else you'd trust to protect him?"

  Kader exchanged a look with Johar, and shook his head. "No."

  Johar tightened her smile and nodded. "I'll just have to try harder, Your Majesty."

  "Very well," Korina said with a nod.

  "Can I help?" Galian asked. "Please?"

  "You are," Johar said, patting him on the shoulder.

  Galian grumbled about being a messenger boy, shaking his head. Martin's death had been personal for him, and I knew he didn't like being kept out of the action. I couldn't help but feel the same way.

  "Thank you all for your hard work," Korina said after a moment. "I'm very happy with our progress to date. Please be careful out there." Her gaze landed on me. "Theo, could I have a word before you leave?"

  I swallowed and nodded before I could stop myself. I'd had a few private conversations with the queen, and they'd always left me second-guessing every word I'd said.

  Beside me, Galian grunted angrily. "Mom, she's leaving tonight, can't you—"

  "Oh, darling, this'll only take a second," Korina said, standing and waiting for me.

  I popped upright and glanced back at Galian with an "I'm sorry" look on my face. Then I followed Korina to the window overlooking a lush green garden, filled with the fruits and vegetables of the mid-summer season.

  "I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable asking Galian to meet with Olivia," she said in a hushed voice.

  "Oh, no!" I shook my head and glanced at Galian on the other side of the room. "No, that's not..."

  She took my hands in hers. "You can tell me what's bothering you."

  I stared at the veins in her hand, instead of looking at her. "I just don't... I'm not sure why I keep going over there."

  "Why's that?"

  "I haven't met with anyone," I said, trying not to look at Kader. "All I do is wait around for Kader to come back. And then, when we run out of money, we come back here for hours just to do it all over again."

  "Surely Kader has told you why?" Korina said. "In efforts like this, where meetings can happen at the drop of a hat, we need to keep you close—"

  "I know," I said, my gaze drifting over to Galian. "And I know I wouldn't be much happier here either." If there was any hope of me ever meeting with Anson, my relationship with Galian needed to remain a secret. "I just feel like the rebels are giving us the runaround."

  "Oh, but, my dear, they are," Korina said with a small chuckle. "That's part of the game. The rebels won't give their trust freely. It takes
time and persistence to make headway."

  She released my hands and followed my gaze over to Galian, who stood in the corner.

  "I know it must be very difficult to be away from your amichai for so long. I want you to know how much I appreciate what you've given up, and what you're doing for both our countries." She placed a hand on my cheek and tilted her head. "And if you ever wish to stop, all you have to do is give the word."

  "It's not that I want to stop," I said, ignoring the way my heart ached.

  "Soon, the rebels will break, and you'll be able to meet with them. And on that day, you'll be grateful for all the work Kader has put in to get you there."

  I nodded, but only because I didn't want to keep arguing.

  "I know you only have a few moments, so I won't keep you." She released my hands and found Rhys, looping her arm through his and exiting out the door.

  Kader and Johar lingered against the door, and Kader held up his hand to indicate I had five minutes to say goodbye to the love of my life.

  Again.

  "So," I said quietly, unable to look at him.

  He snorted. "So. This is it, huh?"

  "For now."

  He placed his hands against my made-up cheeks and lifted my gaze to his. "I want you to tell me that you're okay."

  I opened my mouth to respond, but the words died in my throat. Instead, I said, "Don't ask me to lie to you, amichai."

  "Then don't go," he said.

  "I have to." I swallowed. "Your mother is right. Maybe this will be the time I'll get to meet with someone."

  "Now you're starting to sound like me," he said with a small chuckle. "My naive princeling attitude must've rubbed off on you."

  I tried to smile, but I couldn't. Not when Kader appeared in the door with a warning glance. I dropped my gaze from Galian, afraid I would start crying and lose my nerve. It would've been easier if I'd just left without saying goodbye, but our mission wasn't without risk, and I didn't want his last memory of me to be cowardice.

  "Be careful," he said, rubbing his thumb against my cheek. "I love you, ay-me-key."

  I fought to keep a smile off my face. "Amichai."

  "Ay—"

  I shook my head. "Ah."

  "Aah—"

  I reached up and smushed his cheeks together until he made the right sound. "Ah."

  "Ah."

  "Me—"

  "Sergeant, time to go," Kader grunted from the doorway.

  I released Galian's cheeks, but he grasped my hands, gently kissing my fingertips. "Be careful. I mean it."

  "I will."

  "I'll see you when—"

  "Sergeant."

  I stepped back from Galian then, in one move, pressed my lips to his and scurried away to join Kader.

  Our transport wouldn't leave until three in the morning, so we returned to Kader's apartment to wait it out. I knew part of Kader's urgency to leave the castle was so we wouldn't be seen, but part of it was because he also wanted to spend as much time as possible with his wife.

  "Eli!" Rosie was waiting for us in the doorway, and rushed into Kader's arms as soon as we were off the lift.

  I kept my head down as they exchanged sweet nothings in the hallway, entering the apartment and making a beeline for the shower to wash off the pale makeup. At least in the shower, I could drown out the reminder that Kader got to spend time with his love.

  I didn't completely mean that. I would be forever grateful to Rosie for the first night I'd spent in Norose. I was still reeling from the bomb and air rescue then getting my amichai back only to walk away from him, so my first moment of peace unleashed a torrent of hysterics. But Rosie had held me as kindly as a mother would have, then fed me until I couldn't fit anything else into my stomach and led me to a warm bed. Every time we'd returned from Rave, she'd been welcoming and caring for me, even as her gaze drifted to her husband. So I kept myself scarce, out of respect for her.

  I was thankful for the warm water of the shower, as I'd been taking alley-way rinses for the past four weeks. The pale makeup ran down my arms and circled the drain, although I'd be reapplying it as soon as we reached the Kylaen airfield in a few hours. I turned off the water and wrapped the towel around myself, staring at my bloodshot eyes and wishing I was going to bed with my amichai. When I walked out of the bathroom, the apartment was empty. This wasn't unusual; Kader and Rosie would often go out for long strolls, though I never asked where they went. It was another reminder that Kader could walk the streets without worrying he'd blow the mission. I, on the other hand, was trapped in the apartment until he returned.

  I returned to the small guest room and dressed for whatever short period I'd have to sleep. I'd arrived in Kylae with nothing but the clothes on my back, but thanks to Rosie, I had more shirts and pants than I knew what to do with. Most of them had to stay in Kylae, as they were very plainly of higher quality than anything we had in Rave, but I did bring the silky underwear and comfortable bras with me. Rosie had even added a few skimpier items, which only sent my mood into a tailspin. She was hopeful I'd be able to use them one day, but...

  I slid on the pajamas that were folded on the bed and wrapped my hair in the towel, as I crossed the room to open the blinds. From here, I could see most of the city that had been my enemy for almost my entire life. Six months of working for Korina, and I still couldn't believe the strange turn my life had taken. My gaze fell on the turrets of Kernaghan castle, the only part of the monstrosity visible between all the skyscrapers. Nights like tonight, when I was in the same city as my amichai but I couldn't be with him were the worst—

  Brriiiing.

  The phone ring jolted me from my thoughts. Stepping out of the bedroom, I found the source on the living room table. I hesitated, unsure if I should answer it or not, but who would be calling at this hour of the night?

  "Hello?"

  "Hey, beautiful."

  My heart lifted to the sky and I couldn't help but smile. "You shouldn't have called."

  "I didn't get a chance to tell you how much I love you."

  "This line isn't secure."

  "Then I won't say anything I don't mean. I love you."

  I closed my eyes and let the words strengthen me. "I love you too, amichai."

  "Do you see the moon right now?"

  I glanced through the open window at the bright white orb in the sky. "Yeah."

  "I'll be looking at it every night until you get back."

  My chest seized, and tears gathered in my eyes.

  "Sleep well. See you when you get back. I love you."

  "You've said that a few times."

  "I want you to remember it." A pause. "Goodnight."

  "Night," I whispered, the click on the line signaling he'd hung up the phone.

  I wiped my cheeks and put the receiver back on its holder. My gaze drifted back to the moon, and the corners of my mouth lifted as I pictured Galian standing in his room, staring at it the same way I was. Breathing in deeply, I exhaled some of my sadness and frustration. Knowing he was there, knowing he loved and cared for me so much, made my heart swell.

  The door clicked open, and Rosie and Kader returned, the former with teary eyes and the latter with solemn resignation. He nodded at me and I turned to retrieve my already-packed bag. It was time to return to Rave.

  THREE

  Galian

  No matter how many times Theo came and went, it never got any easier to let her go. Knowing she was returning to danger and I couldn't protect her from any of it gnawed at my gut. Logically, I knew Kader was the best man for the job, and he'd take care of her better than I ever could, but I still felt like the useless princeling.

  I also knew he'd have my head if Theo told him about my impromptu goodnight call. There was no guarantee that my father's spies weren't listening in, but the risk had been worth it. She'd looked entirely too miserable when she'd left.

  But now it was morning, and as I stared into the black abyss of my coffee cup, I considered my own assignment in he
r absence. I could scarcely believe my mother actually wanted me to pursue Olivia again, and doing so while Theo was in mortal peril made my stomach squirm with disgust.

  So when I finished my coffee, I decided I would seek out my mother and decline the task. I found her in her sunroom, discussing her schedule with Filippa, her personal assistant.

  "Oh, and Prince Galian," Filippa said, "I've received another request from Gaetna Zygmont. She's dying to speak with you."

  "About what?" I said.

  "It's been almost a year since you disappeared," Filippa said. "She'd like to get your story on your time on the island."

  I shared a look with my mother, and thankfully, she intervened. "I'm sorry, Filippa. Please give Ms. Zygmont the same answer as last year. We aren't interested in talking about it."

  Filippa made a note of it, and I heaved a sigh of relief. Zygmont was the newly-promoted lead anchor on one of the Kylaen media stations, and she'd started pestering for an interview the moment she settled into her new role. She was ballsier than most of the media, who bowed to whatever edict my father passed out. But things had become a little less strict in Kylae now that Mael had been closed.

  "Filippa, before I forget, I need you to run over to Rhys' office," Mom said. "He's still working on that speech draft and I'd like to see it before he gives it."

  "Shall I go now?" Filippa offered.

  "Darling, would you mind very much?" My mother forced a pained expression onto her face, but if Filippa thought it was real, she was dumber than I thought. We were playing a very silly game. Filippa worked for my father, and my mother knew it. Filippa also knew that my mother knew who she worked for. But nobody was willing to blink and just be honest. So they pretended this was normal.

  "Of course not, Your Majesty," Filippa said, gathering the papers in her folder. "Is there anything else you need while I'm over there?"

  My mother thought for a moment. "No, dear. But when you get back, I need your help deciding on an outfit for the tea with Lady Gren."

  Filippa nodded and scurried out the door, closing it behind her.