Guilt flared, and I swallowed painfully. You can’t tell her. You can’t.
“You have always been one to conquer your fears, but since your brother’s death, you’ve become a walking shade.” Her breath hitched. “I keep hoping you’ll turn it all around, given enough time, but—” She sighed. “—it’s like you’ve given up, Ryiah.”
I remained silent, not trusting my tongue to work properly if I spoke.
Paige helped me to my chamber and then paused at the door. “You’ve lost yourself, and I know it’s not my place to say it, but don’t be the girl I thought you were. Be the one that changed my mind.”
How can I tell her I still am?
I waited until the prince had stopped tossing and his breathing had slowed, deep slumber taking over as his chest rose and fell.
Then I tiptoed down the hall, darting past moon-streaked dips of light, slipping around dark columns and pools of darkness until I reached the eastern wing.
“Nicely done.” Duke Cassius stepped out from the shadows, clapping slowly in mock applause. “For a moment, I almost believed you had changed, that the little girl had lost her fire.”
I folded my arms across my chest.
“I wonder,” the man continued, “what could be so important that we meet in the middle of the night away from your beloved prince and the others. One might almost think you’ve turned a traitor to Jerar.”
“I have a proposal.”
The Pythian ambassador leaned against a column with interest. “Continue.”
“Have your brother withdraw from the New Alliance and take up with King Horrace of Caltoth instead. Unite with the secret collective of rebels in Jerar and help me dethrone our king.” My pulse was hammering against my throat. “In exchange, we will submit to Pythian rule. Your brother will have two kingdoms instead of one."
Silence followed. All I could hear was the lull of the ocean far below. My hands were trembling; I squeezed them tighter against my ribs.
The towering man might as well have been stone; I couldn’t even hear his intake of breath.
Then: “Do you care to explain?”
I wet my lips. “Would it matter?”
“It wouldn’t. A Pythian is driven by ambition, not heart.” He paused and I could almost hear Cassius mulling over the unspoken questions in his head, trying to make sense of my proposal. “Still, we are alone, and I’m a curious man. Something tells me it would take a great deal for someone like you to change course. Just one year ago, you were willing to die for the Crown.”
“A lot has changed.”
The duke watched me expectantly, waiting.
And so I told him. I told him everything about Lucius’s deception and how his eldest had continued to uphold his legacy of murder and lies even after his death. I hesitated to explain the rebels, but there was no point in withholding information now. I was laying everything on the line. If Cassius chose to betray me, it would be too late to make a difference. I needed to give this everything I had; it was the only chance I would get.
When I was finished, the man stroked his broad chin, thick fingers deliberate and slow. “And what of the king and his Black Mage? You ask that I spare their lives—two young men the people will rally behind when it comes down to blood or a Pythian on the throne.”
“We imprison them both.” It hurt to swallow. “Blayne can rot in the cells, but once Darren…” I was struggling to speak. “Once he comes around, he won’t consider the throne.”
“You expect a boy born to the Crown to give up his legacy?”
“Darren’s legacy isn’t to be king! His father raised him t-to…” I trailed off as I saw the duke’s expression.
“To protect his brother at all costs? He’s the most formidable mage in the land.”
“You can keep Darren in the prisons until you see fit.” I spat the words, hating myself, hating that this was my only choice. “And once he is convinced, you can kill the king.” I was the most heartless thing in the room, but after losing Derrick, I found myself numb to the words. “But I won’t help unless you promise to spare them both at the start.”
“And if I refuse?”
“Then you will never see a Pythian on the throne.”
“And what about you? Where do you see yourself in this bright future you paint?”
“A mage in service to the Pythian king.”
“Not the title of queen? Come now, you’ve thought this far ahead. You expect me to believe you want nothing in return? A tying of two nations is common enough, and you are already a princess.”
“No!” I glowered in the dark.
“Ah.” His tone was knowing. “Your husband. You think he will forgive you of your crimes.”
“Even if he doesn’t”—my voice was hard—“I will not take part in the throne. There are plenty of highborn girls who could take my stead.”
“Well—” The man paused. “—I can certainly admit I didn’t see this turn of events.”
“Does that mean you’ll join our cause?”
Cassius’s gaze flickered in the dark. “You offer me the world. But how can I see through to my prize?”
I faltered, my breath trapped in my lungs.
“Pythus has no responsibility to Jerar after my niece lost her life. She was the only thing that bound us to the New Alliance.”
“But you were going to honor it—”
“We only kept to the treaty because Blayne offered us the winning side, not because of loyalty or a false sense of guilt.”
“So what are you—”
“My dear,” the duke cut me off again, “you offer me the crown, but this prize is useless if we lose to a country with the greatest odds. You are far too intelligent not to see this through.”
I swallowed.
“Tell me,” he said, “how you are going to change the odds. Tell me how we will be victors at the end of your great plan.”
“I…” My heart was slamming against my ribs and I felt faint. I hadn’t expected resistance. I was offering him more than Blayne ever would. It had never occurred to me the Pythian would refuse. “We would have better odds. The same number of men and the element of surprise.” Three thousand from the north, six thousand Caltothian warriors if King Horrace’s number was correct, and the four thousand warriors from Duke Cassius.
“Surprise is not enough. You are asking for a takeover on your own soil. Jerar has the greatest army and your warriors are twice the caliber of our own.” The man cracked his hands together. “Pythians are bred for trade and the sea. Caltoth enjoys its beauty and chases after precious gems. Boreans are concerned with the scholarly arts; they can barely wield a sword.”
My stomach sank with every word he spoke.
“You need to offer me assurances.” The duke sighed, and it was hard to tell in the shadows, but I suspected he was disappointed. “I would love to take you up on your proposal, Ryiah. You offer me far more than that boy king ever could.”
“Then help us,” I pleaded. “I’ll do anything—”
“I told you not to beg.” The man’s reprimand was softer than his words. “A Pythian plays to win. If it were just me, for my niece, I’d see your cause to the end. I know you tried to save her that night of the attacks. Wren was never meant for a world like this…” His tone grew coarse. “But it’s my brother’s nation, and I can’t place them at risk because of personal sentiment.”
“Tell me how.” I was desperate. “What will it take to win?”
The duke tapped his fingers against his wrist in thought. A minute later he spoke. “If all that you tell me is true, the north is comprised of rebels. That leaves the central plains and the southern desert. How much does that leave us?”
“Around fourteen thousand.” It was the same as the north. Give or take a couple thousand if Blayne called on the smaller city regiments.
“How many in the desert alone?”
“Four thousand? It’s Ishir Outpost and some of the trading ports.”
“
That certainly helps our odds. But the Crown’s Army is still too big. And it’s the best of your best.”
“It doesn’t always reside in the capital.” I thought fast. “Commander Audric’s regiment travels wherever the kingdom needs more help. The Crown doesn’t dispatch the whole, but—”
“I would suggest my warships as a distraction,” the man said dryly, “but I doubt that would hold their attention when rebels and Caltothian soldiers start making a stampede for the palace.”
“If we had time—”
“It’s not enough of a guarantee. I need assurance.”
I was at a loss for words. For a moment… for a moment, I had thought he would help us.
“I tell you what.” The duke cleared his throat. “I am not ready to play my cards, not just yet. You’ve impressed me in the past. I’m going to give you that opportunity again.”
My eyes started to water, but I fought back the tears. The last thing I needed was for the ambassador to see me cry.
“We have two days of rest before we break for war. The prince claims the Crown’s Army is amassing in the capital for a march north as we speak.”
I nodded along, everything he said I already knew.
“Your king waited this long for Pythian ships. Who is to say he can’t wait a bit longer?”
“How?”
“I will insist on speaking with the young king in person.” Duke Cassius leaned forward. “I will insist Horrace offered better terms and that we need to renegotiate our alliance. Blayne will be furious, but he will eventually meet my demands. I will buy you two months from today, and not an hour longer.”
My knees were wobbly as I thanked him, grateful the shadows helped shield the desperation from my face.
“That’s two months to bring me a solution to our problem.” His warning was clear. “I need an assurance that we can win and I will not risk my kinsmen for your cause. If you fail, I won’t hesitate to reveal your secret. Pythus needs to be on the winning side.”
“I understand.” The words came out a rush. “Thank you for—”
“Don’t thank me yet.” The man stepped away from the column, his expression dark. “I am almost certain you will fail.”
9
“We played our hand too fast!”
Wood splintered on impact, bits of furniture splaying across the chamber. I watched as Darren threw another chair, half-drunk in rage. The ambassador had made his announcement that morning. The prince hadn’t taken it well.
“Darren—”
“Don’t.” His eyes flashed garnet. “Don’t you dare tell me to be calm when that gods’ forsaken villain is out there toying with us all like a fat cat and his mice, showing us ships only to call for more talk after all that we’ve done!”
“I wasn’t.” I reached out to place a hand on his shoulder, ignoring the surge of guilt as I watched. “I am with you.”
“What kind of man,” he seethed, “does something like this?”
The kind that wants to win. I bit down on my tongue. At least Darren’s bad news came in the morning.
Mine had come the night before. This was supposed to have been it. The final instrumental act to solve all of our problems—an alliance that would convince Blayne to surrender and give me time to talk Darren around to the truth.
I should have known I had strung too much of my hope on this. Now I was supposed to pray the “opportunity” paid off. And the irony was, had Darren’s and my roles been reversed, I was sure the prince would have found a way to solve it. Darren had always been better in strategy and command. It wasn’t my fault. Lowborns and mages weren’t raised to be leaders of men; princes preparing to be knights and the head of the Crown’s Army were.
By the time we had finished seeing to our things, the Langli home was a dark place to be. Duke Cassius had already seen to his men and set up his leaders during his absence.
Baron Langli was aghast at the number to feed. Like Darren, he’d expected the ships to be gone within the span of a week, attacking the Caltothian coast per the original alliance’s terms. “You expect me to run supplies to four thousand men?”
“You’ll do it,” Darren snapped, “and you’ll do it without question.” If he had to escort the ambassador to an angry king, he added, the baron could hold his complaints.
“Wait, Ryiah!”
I had just exited my chamber, supplies in hand, when Priscilla shoved me back, ignoring an outraged Paige as she cornered me inside.
“I will break down this door,” Paige roared, “if you do not unhand my lady this instant!”
“Give me a moment of your time, Ryiah,” the girl seethed. The door banged mercilessly behind us. Bam, bam, bam! “If any part of you respects me at all, if you can find it in your heart for even a second, give me two minutes.”
“Ten, nine—” The guard cursed loudly. “Gods blast it, one!”
“Paige… wait!”
The pounding stopped, and I looked to Priscilla expectantly, my arms braced against my chest.
“I want you to take me with you.”
I snorted. “Very funny.”
“I’m serious.”
“No, you are not.”
“Yes—” her eyes grew squinty, “—I am. Do not question me, you insolent lowborn.”
“That’s princess to you.”
“It would have been me.” Her lips pursed. “And then I would have been free. But no, I graciously stepped aside so you could swoop in and enjoy my place.”
“You didn’t step aside.” I shot her a look. “You fought me every step of the way.”
“See?” Priscilla pressed closer. “You aren’t as innocent as you think.”
I rolled my eyes. “Did you forget the vat of pig’s blood our first year? Or when you hog-tied me to a tree during our orientation in Combat? Or—”
“You survived.” Her expression grew bored. “I don’t care about our past, Ryiah. I want out of here. Now. Darren promised me a place in the Crown’s Army when we were married.” My insides squirmed. “And he’s going to honor it.”
“You’re not married.” My tone was cold. “He does not have to honor it.”
“My father won’t let me leave, Ryiah, not after I lost the engagement.” Her words were clipped. “He is convinced the only way to save our house embarrassment is to marry me off to the highest bidder.” Her voice soured. “At least with Darren I was promised time in a regiment. And as distasteful as that marriage might have been, I knew what I was getting. Not some ugly, old lord who would lock me away.”
I cringed inwardly, but outside I was not ready to relent.
“I told Father that, if I was such a blight, he should let me bring honor through our city regiment. You know what he said? He told me that role went to Merrick.”
Don’t do it. Don’t you dare feel pity for Priscilla.
But… was I really blameless? It wasn’t Darren she had fought so hard to keep; it was the freedom that would have come with his crown. If I had known then… Perhaps…
“Don’t you get it?” Priscilla thrust her face into mine. “I’ve always wanted to be you—well, the old you. You might have looked and smelled the part of a sheep herder—”
“I did not.”
“—But at least you were doing what you wanted.” Her lashes fluttered shut. “Not all highborn girls like your Ella had a choice. Most families claim that we can do anything like our brothers and cousins, but the truth is, the older ones, the traditionalists like my father, they only ignore the convent if it helps us secure the right match.”
Priscilla opened her eyes and her tone was morose. “My father had me take up the sword the day he realized Blayne was marrying for alliance. The irony was that, for the first time, I felt free.”
Gods, no. I clenched my jaw. You are feeling pity for Priscilla. The girl who went out of her way to torment me during our first year at the Academy, and most of the apprenticeship. She was trying to secure a role. She was cruel. Yes, at times, but so was Darren a
nd you forgave him for that. He believed in me. So did she, or did you forget who bet on you during the Candidacy?
If Priscilla joined the regiment, she would be my enemy.
I looked the girl square in the eye. “You really want this?”
“I wasn’t at the top of my class to impress your prince.” She snorted. “My father didn’t care if I passed the first year trials. When he sent me off to that school, he was already in talks with Lucius for our engagement. I made the apprenticeship because I enjoyed it. Fighting and magic, they were the only parts of my life I enjoyed.”
And there she went, taking away the last of my defense. I couldn’t deny her now. “Darren will issue a mandate that you join the Crown’s Army, and we will escort you to the capital. From there you know your way to the base camp.”
The girl stepped back with a self-satisfied smirk and unlocked the door. “You are making the right decision.”
I nodded absently as Paige marched in with a scowl.
“We leave at noon,” I called out after the raven-haired beauty. “You have two hours to gather your things!”
Priscilla didn’t bother to look back. “My servants already readied my things in the stables.”
She knew I would say yes.
The day we returned to the capital, all chaos broke loose. To say the king was unreceptive to Duke Cassius’s negotiations was an understatement.
Priscilla, true to her word—and Darren’s old promise—was on her way to the Crown’s Army camp. I couldn’t help but envy her freedom. She could blissfully go about her service while I was trapped searching for a solution to the Pythian ambassador’s riddle. Somehow, the highborn had ended up with the fate I wanted, and the lowborn had ended up in a web of courtly politics and deceit. If only she knew, I suspected she’d laugh in my face.
Last Stand (The Black Mage Book 4) Page 12
