Court's Fool (The Aermian Feuds Book 6)

by Frost Kay

  Blair moved deeper into the room, knelt by Hayjen’s side, and pulled him into a brief hug before caressing Lilja’s cheek. “How are you feeling, Lil?”

  She grimaced. “Better and worse. I need to get to the sea.”

  Blair nodded and pulled his hand away. “I figured as much. Are you—”

  “I’ll survive.” Lilja smiled at her oldest friend and then turned her attention back to Hayjen. “He’ll take good care of me.” She flicked a glance toward the entrance. “I met your daughter.”

  “So she told me,” Blair said.

  “A Dragon Song,” Hayjen whispered. He couldn’t believe it. Lil had spoken of such things as being real, but hearing about it and seeing it in person was another thing. “We owe her much.”

  “It is nothing among family,” Blair murmured.

  “What are you going to do?” Hayjen asked.

  “Do?”

  “She’s the heir to the Nagali throne, is she not?”

  Their oldest friend sighed, looking years older. He hung his head and rubbed his forehead. “She has her own path to forge. I have done my best to train and raise her, but I worry for her. Restoring Nagali will not happen in a day.”

  “Will you not go with her?” Lilja asked.

  “Not immediately. Scythia still needs me, but the Nagali people need her.”

  Hayjen mulled that over. Dorcus would need guidance and protection. He slowly focused on Lilja, who was already staring at him. Words didn’t need to be said. He could almost read her mind. She wanted to go with Dor—to protect Blair’s daughter. She was ready for a new adventure, and… his gaze wandered to the entrance again. Sage was settled, more or less. His niece had come into her own and didn’t need them anymore.

  “We will accompany Dor to Nagali,” he said.

  Blair blinked slowly, relief coloring his expression. “It would put my mind at ease to know both of you were looking out for Dorcus and counseling her.”

  “We will care for her as if she were our own,” Lilja rasped. “It would give me nothing but pleasure to get to know your daughter.”

  Their oldest friend nodded, his gaze suspiciously shiny, and pressed a quick kiss onto her forehead. “You were always a blessing.”

  “I love you,” Lilja uttered.

  “And I you.”

  The two friends shared a look of understanding before Blair clasped Hayjen on the shoulder one last time and stood. “There’s to be a meeting of the kingdom rulers. I will pass this information on to them. Is there anything you wish for them to know?”

  “Just that she’s awake,” Hayjen said. Sage would want to know.

  “It will be done.”

  He hardly noticed as Blair disappeared, his whole focus on his wife. “Are you really ready to throw yourself into another scheme? Don’t you need time to heal and relax?”

  “Resting is for the old and decrepit. I’m not quite there yet. There’s exploring to do.”

  “A wanderer’s heart,” Hayjen teased.

  A glimmer of mischief entered her eyes. “A pirate’s heart.”

  His smile grew. “Well, you did steal my heart…”

  Lilja released a throaty chuckle. “Nineteen years of marriage and you’re still a charmer.”

  “I aim to please,” Hayjen whispered before brushing his lips against hers.

  Life had never been so sweet.

  Fifty-Eight

  Tehl

  “What the bloody hell?” Tehl growled, glaring at Blair. “A little notice would’ve been nice.”

  He flicked a glance toward his wife. Sage stood near the round war table, scowling at the map at the figurines that represent the armies and their leaders. She snatched up the leather bag from the surface, and one by one put the pieces away until all that was left was the warlord’s leren piece. She stared at the feline figurine as the rest of their council filed in. Her jaw clenched, and she snatched the warlord’s piece off the surface, then tossed all of them into the woodstove.

  So, she wasn’t as composed as she was pretending.

  Sage moved back to his side, her expression placid. Other than their initial reunion, they hadn’t spoken much in the last two days. He still had no clue what she’d experienced, or what went on in the Scythian camp. But she was too quiet. It was unlike her, and it bothered him. A lot.

  “There wasn’t much time to give you any warning,” Blair responded. He ran a dirty hand over his haggard face. “In all honesty, it slipped my mind until Jacobi mentioned it. I’m sorry for not giving any warning.”

  The girl with onyx skin moved closer to Blair’s side. Tehl scrutinized Dorcus. She looked nothing like her father Blair, except for the high cheekbones and the slope of her nose. He kept reminding himself not to stare. It was like he was in a fairy story. A Nagalian princess was standing in his tent—her dragon just outside. He glanced at the tent flap at the thought. He was still a little uneasy having the beast so close. It wasn’t because Tehl was afraid, necessarily, but the way Illya had looked at him… it held true intelligence and understanding.

  “She cannot rule in Scythia,” Queen Osir said softly, both her sons flanking her. Zachael stood just to her right, nodding.

  “I agree,” Tehl said, glancing once more in his wife’s direction.

  “They would not accept me even if I was keen on ruling Scythia. I would be assassinated by the end of the week.” Sage flashed a sharp smile, a bitter twist of her lips. “The Scythian commanders weren’t wrong.” She scanned the group of leaders in the tent, her gaze resting on Rafe and then finally focusing on Tehl. He jolted at the weary look in her emerald eyes. She was barely holding on by a thread. “The only choice we have is to appoint a regent in my stead,” Sage continued. “Aermia still needs to have a presence in Scythia, but we cannot rule the kingdom.”

  “You’re right,” Tehl acknowledged. “If we tried such a thing, there would be rebellion and more bloodshed. That’s the last thing we need.” Too many lives had been lost already on both sides. Healing of their kingdoms needed to begin. As far as a regent…

  Tehl examined the people in the room. Most of the occupants were monarchs of their own kingdoms or heirs. His mind turned to Gav. If his cousin was healthy, he would have suggested him, but Scythia was too dangerous for a wounded foreign man and his small daughter. There was only one true choice. He paused on the figure sitting in the corner.

  Blaise.

  She stared at the floor, idly picking at one of her nails, not meeting anyone’s gaze.

  “Blaise,” he rumbled softly.

  She lifted her head, her dark eyes meeting his. Blaise grimaced, shaking her head. “It won’t work.”

  “You are the solution,” he murmured.

  Sage nodded and eyed the Scythian woman. “You know he’s right.”

  Blaise shook her head. “I’ve not been trained to rule, and I have no desire to rule over Scythia.” She rose to her feet and glanced around the room, holding her hands up. “This is a bad idea. What makes you think they will accept me? I’ve been working with their enemies. I’m a traitor.”

  “That’s exactly why you should be ruling,” Queen Osir cut in. “You fought for the rebels. You fought for the freedom of all. Those who supported the rebellion will welcome you with open arms.”

  “And those who supported the warlord?” Blaise asked.

  “They will begrudgingly accept you because of the blood flowing through your veins,” Rafe answered. “Scythia is in disarray. Even the staunch supporters of your uncle will not want civil war. You are the medium.”

  “Blair has more experience than I do,” Blaise pointed out, crossing her arms. “He should be the one to rule.”

  The man in question shook his head. “I am the real traitor. They wouldn’t tolerate me on the throne, any more than they would accept one of the warlord’s former commanders. Then there is the matter of bloodline. I’m not royal. It has to be you.” He dipped his chin. “But I will stand at your side and protect you with my life. You wi
ll not be alone.”

  Blaise ran a shaking hand through her hair, tears glossing her eyes. She blinked them away. “This would be so much easier if my mother was still here,” she rasped.

  Tehl’s heart squeezed. He knew what it was like to lose a mother. “We will all support you in this. You’re family.”

  The Scythian woman swallowed hard.

  “You’ll not go in alone,” Sage murmured softly. “Not only will you have Blair, but we’ll also send in someone to counsel you and keep an eye on your back.”

  Tehl hid his amusement as Rafe stilled, his attention completely focused on Sage. The Methian prince was a little too focused on the conversation—on Blaise. Intriguing.

  His wife nodded to the group. “Aermia isn’t the only one to have a stake in what happens in Scythia. I think it wise to have someone who isn’t Aermian to stand by her side.” Sage arched a brow as she held Rafe’s gaze. The two seemed to share a private conversation. Her lip curled slightly. “I nominate Rafe.”

  He stood a little taller and turned to Blaise. Her face blanched but she quickly schooled her expression, not quickly enough that Rafe didn’t catch her reaction. Poor bastard.

  His expression didn’t reveal anything as he respectfully dipped his chin in deference. “If that is what everyone wishes. I will happily go to Scythia.”

  Queen Osir smiled. “Go with my blessing.”

  “If no one opposes the appointment, let’s move on,” Tehl said. He stared at Blaise, giving her the option to request someone else. She didn’t. “So, it’s settled. Blaise will rule Scythia as regent, with Rafe as a mediator and counselor until a time when Scythia is stabilized.” He turned toward the silent Dorcus. “You have many decisions ahead of you. Do you have a plan?”

  The Nagali princess looked at her father and then focused on Tehl. “We refuse to go back to the way things were before.”

  Blaise limped from her corner and bowed deeply to Dor. “I know it will never be enough, but you have my most heartfelt apologies for the atrocities committed by the Scythian people.” She straightened, holding her chin high. “I promise things will be different, and that you are no longer beholden to Scythia. You never should have been in the first place. Every culture should be treated with equality and respect.”

  “Something we agree upon,” Dor said softly.

  “Know Methi will support you in your ventures. Do you plan to stay in Scythia?” Queen Osir added.

  “I’m not sure,” Dorcus answered. “Many just desire their freedom. Scythia, however, is the only home they’ve ever known. While there will be many who will want to return to Nagali and begin restoring our homeland, I know there will be some who wish to stay behind as citizens.”

  “Consider it done,” Blaise cut in. “Any who choose to stay in Scythia will be granted full citizenship.”

  “I don’t want to be the bearer of bad will, but many of the warlord’s supporters will not like this.” Raziel held his hands up. “Slavery is a vile, evil practice that should never have been instituted. What I am saying is that there will be those who accuse you of crippling your kingdom. It is something you’ll need to address.”

  “We will figure it out,” Rafe cut in, side-eyeing his brother. “They may not like it, but it’s the way it’s going to be.”

  Blaise chuckled darkly and pushed the loose braids from her cheek. “For once, the high court will have to do their own work like the rest of the world has been doing for generations.”

  Rafe shared a shark-like smile with Blaise, and Tehl hid his satisfaction. While the two might irritate each other, they would be a force to be reckoned with when they united against a common enemy.

  Tehl turned his attention back to Blair and Dorcus. “If you do not wish to stay in Scythia until your people are ready to make the expedition back into the Nagali homelands, you may find refuge in Aermia.”

  “Thank you,” Dor said, her cocoa-colored eyes warm.

  He glanced at her father, brows furrowing. Blair had said he would stay with Blaise in Scythia. If that was the case, who would go with his daughter to Nagali? “You would leave Dorcus without your guidance?”

  “Tehl,” Sage admonished.

  He shrugged a shoulder. Better to be blunt than to have miscommunications.

  “I appreciate your concern for my daughter. She will not be going on this journey alone. I’ve spoken with Hayjen and Lilja. They have agreed to accompany Dorcus and those who wish to go with her to Nagali.” Blair smiled. “There’s no one I trust more than those two with what is precious to me.”

  “She’s awake?” Sage breathed.

  Blair’s smile widened. “Yes.”

  “Thank the stars,” Sage whispered.

  Tehl brushed his fingers against the back of her hand, and she flashed him a relieved smile.

  “If that is all,” Queen Osir said, “then I will fetch a scribe and have him draft a treaty to include all that was agreed upon today. You will be able to proof it tomorrow morning. For the time being, rest and enjoy your respite before the real work begins tomorrow—the cleanup.”

  Fifty-Nine

  Sage

  Sage couldn’t stay in bed another moment. Too much restlessness ran through her blood. She pressed a kiss to Tehl’s cheek and quietly crept from bed, wearing her clothing from the prior day. The night before she’d been so tired that she’d just crawled onto the mattress and passed out.

  She grabbed her cloak and daggers from the chair, and slipped her boots on before sneaking from the tent. Snow crunched beneath her boots and the cold air stung her lungs, but it felt good. For the first time in months, it was as if she could pull in a full breath. Domin sat in a chair to the left of the entrance. He arched a brow in silent question.

  “I’m fine,” she mumbled as she belted the daggers around her waist. “I couldn’t sleep any longer. Did you get any rest?”

  “I did. Thank you, my lady. My shift just began.”

  Her nerves settled some once her weapons were in place. Sage swept the cloak closer to her body to ward off the chill of the early morning. She peered toward the east, the sky just starting to lighten. A new day.

  The tent flap whispered, and Sage turned her head toward the sound. Tehl silently stepped out, his inky hair mussed in a way that caused her heart to flutter. He pressed against her back and wrapped his cloak about the both of them, his chin resting on the top of her head. Her husband curled one arm around her waist, securing her against his body, and laced his fingers with hers, his callouses catching against her own. Sage sighed and settled into his warmth. He wasn’t the kind of man she ever expected to marry. Blunt. Quiet. Awkward. But he also offered comfort and love in a gentle way she’d never experienced before. He made her feel cherished. Whole.

  “You’ve been quiet,” he rumbled, his voice deeper than normal.

  She shrugged. “I’m tired.”

  He huffed a silent laugh against her hair. “Understatement of the year.” A pause. “Are you almost ready for that break we spoke about?”

  “Almost,” she murmured, playing with his fingers. “There are a few more things I need to tie up.”

  “Oh?”

  “I need to go back to the forest today.” She turned in his arms and gazed up at him. “Would you come with me?”

  He scanned her face, his deep-blue gaze fathomless. “Are you ready now?”

  She’d been ready during the middle of the night, but that hadn’t seemed prudent. Sage nodded.

  Tehl gently tugged on her hand and began leading her through the quiet camp, Domin and three Elite quietly following behind them. They arrived at the corral, and she whistled softly. Peg parted from the herd and trotted to the fence, immediately pressing her nose to Sage’s pocket.

  “Hello, sweet girl,” she crooned, running her hand down the mare’s silky nose. “I don’t have any apples.” Peg nickered as Sage climbed over the fence. “I promise a bucketful of oats when we return.”

  She used the fence to mount the m
are just as Tehl cantered to their side atop Wraith, his black warhorse. Their men circled them, and their group exited the corral and wound their way through the sleepy camp. A fiilee on the edge of camp stretched, flexing its wings. Skye—Raziel’s flying feline.

  “Raziel?” she called softly.

  The Methian prince in question stood from the ground and approached, carrying a mug of steaming liquid that smelled nutty. “Going somewhere, Sage?”

  “I need to return to the forest.”

  He scanned their entourage. “Expecting issues?”

  “No, we just need some muscle. Would you be willing to come and possibly bring Rafe if you can find him?”

  Raz chuckled. “My brother is always lurking about somewhere. I’m sure if you spin around three times and call his name, he’ll appear.”

  Her lips twitched. Brothers. Stars, she missed hers. “We’re heading out. I’m sure you’ll catch up.”

  He downed the rest of his brew and nodded. “We’ll be right behind you.”

  Sage urged Peg forward and directed her toward the huge dark lump that rested near the evergreen trees at the edge of camp. Her mare tossed her head and sidestepped as they approached Illya.

  “It’s okay,” Sage soothed, not moving any closer. The dragon opened one silver eye that reflected the fire burning in the small camp set up near his side. Blair rose from the log he was sitting on and Dorcus followed. Apparently, no one was sleeping when they should have been.

  Sage smiled. “If you’re willing, we have a rescue mission this morning. Would you be willing to lend us your translation skills, Dorcus?”

  Dor’s brown eyes grew round. “You have knowledge of another dragon?”

  Sage winced. “I do, but he’s in bad shape. I promised him I would release him, but I want to make sure there are no casualties when I do so.”

  The Nagali heir turned to Illya, who clicked softly. “We’ll do it,” she said, turning back to them. “I’m new to this Dragon Song thing, so I’m not sure if I’ll be able to understand him.”