Warlord's Wager

by Gwynn White

  He gave a derisive internal snort.

  Lynx would never embrace him again. Not if he betrayed the alliance, including her father and her people, on such a grand scale. The woman he knew and loved would choose solitary confinement in a snake-infested room before she agreed to Felix’s demands.

  Even more importantly, he could never agree to the wholesale subjugation of the population with ice crystal or to the senseless deaths that would follow.

  “You forget that other people care for their families as much as you claim to care for yours. A fatal flaw, Felix, one I suggest you work on in the coming years if you wish to enjoy the company of those grandchildren.” He ignored his father’s gasp of surprise and dismay. “Lynx, Tao, Malika, Stefan—Well, the list goes on. None of them would ever receive me again if I allowed you to destroy the nations of Treven, Lapis, and Norin to give me the crown.”

  “So—so am I to understand that you are refusing me?”

  Axel had never seen his father look incredulous. He gave Felix a mocking smile. “Seems that way, doesn’t it?”

  “You refuse me, but even as we speak, Jerawin is probably commanding his forces to attack our troops! How many innocent men—your own countrymen—will die in that conflict, Axel? What about their families?”

  Anger flared in Axel. “Don’t pretend a bleeding heart to me. I am well aware that an unfathomable number of people will die in the war I have just unleashed in Treven, but it is still a nobler endeavor than what you suggest.” Axel pushed open the door, flooding the carriage with light.

  Felix’s gaunt face bleached in the harsh rays. He brought his handkerchief up to swab his watery eyes.

  It did nothing to soften Axel’s heart. He paused before climbing out. “If you and Lukan plan any retribution in Norin for Thorn’s involvement in my alliance, I will bring my shotguns and my war to your bed chamber. You will not survive long enough to enjoy those grandchildren.”

  A gurgle, and Felix slumped back against the bench.

  Confidence in every step, Axel headed down the pathway between two laurel hedges toward the main palace entrance. The sounds of laughter, clinking glasses, and the rumble of voices gave him pause.

  The path swept around the building, opening up onto a vast lawn that spilled down to the wolf enclosure, once the palace moat. Every high-born in the palace seemed to crowd the grass today. They all held glasses of chenna.

  After the grit and blood of the Trevenite mines, their tinkling laughter, bejeweled clothes, painted faces, and outrageous hairstyles reeked of hypocrisy. He turned away from them, his attention drawn to the excited yaps from a pack of bay and catch dogs, held on short leashes by their handlers. They waited at the perimeter of the lawn.

  It surprised Axel that Lukan had chosen to hunt boar. Dangerous, demanding great stamina from both men and dogs, a boar hunt separated the courageous from those who were merely brave. His cousin was neither of those.

  Then Axel saw Lukan. His stomach clenched.

  Adorned in his hideous Dragon-shaped crown, his cousin stood at the very top of the steps, overseeing the gathering. On the wall behind him hung a banner that read “All Hail the Victory in Treven.” Kestrel, the ultimate traitor, clung to Lukan’s arm. Pale and thin, she wore a dress so purple, it looked black. They both held celebratory glasses of chenna. An expectant air hung over them.

  Then it dawned on Axel. The entire court awaited him. News of the arrival of the steam carriage at the palace garages must have reached Lukan. Axel wondered what his cousin made of his delayed appearance.

  It was time to find out.

  Axel stepped onto the lawn and shouted, “Victory in Treven. I’ll drink to that.”

  Silence descended, and every head turned to stare at him. The glare of admiration was almost blinding. Axel smirked, telling himself to enjoy it while it lasted because it would be short-lived.

  Two heartbeats later, Lukan yelled out, “Give my new Lord of the Conquest a drink.”

  Someone pushed a glass into Axel’s hand.

  “To victory!” Axel tossed the chenna back.

  All around him, people took up the cheer.

  A shadow darkened Lukan’s face.

  Axel had stolen his cousin’s thunder by proposing the toast. He grinned; Lukan would lose a lot more than thunder before this day was done. It would not be long before someone appeared and told him that his precious ice crystal mines were under attack by a vast army of truce-breaking Lapisian troops.

  “Let the hunt begin!” Lukan cried to the crowd, by all signs blissfully unaware of what awaited him. He brushed Kestrel’s arm away and sailed down the stairs to retrieve his hunting spear from one of the huntsmen.

  Axel moved through the crowd to find Egor, his dog handler. As boys, Egor had taught both Axel and Tao to hunt. Axel had a very soft spot for the man. This was his chance to say goodbye.

  Someone slapped Axel overly hard on the back. The air burst out of him, and it took a moment before he spun to face his attacker.

  Spear in hand, Lukan leered at him.

  Axel glared straight back. “Just a spear? So, you aren’t planning to grapple a boar with a dagger?”

  A flicker of a frown flashed across Lukan’s face. He gestured to the dog handlers. “Egor carries your spear. I take it that is what you are hunting with?”

  Axel ignored the question. If his cousin wanted to know if he carried a dagger, all he had to do was provoke Axel enough, and he would soon find out.

  In the meantime, Axel had something far more pleasurable to do than exchange insults. He smiled at Egor and received a taciturn nod in reply. The huntsman stopped a respectful distance away and doffed his hat. His hounds yipped at Egor’s heels, desperate to get on the trail.

  Axel started over to them, but his father, showing no sign of strain from their previous discussion, sidled up to Lukan. Although too far away to hear, Axel stopped to watch. Notwithstanding their bitter words, Axel doubted Felix would ever tell Lukan of Axel’s defection. Still, Axel’s heart pounded as his father whispered something into Lukan’s ear. Lukan’s face paled, and his eyes took on a wild expression.

  It had to be news of the attack.

  Breath held, Axel waited to see if his ruse would work.

  More whispers between the pair, and then Lukan and Felix looked over at Axel. Felix wore a resigned expression. Lukan’s was one of outrage and panic.

  “You need me,” Axel called out, walking over to join them.

  “That bastard Jerawin has attacked Treven!” Lukan burst out as soon as Axel was in earshot. “Can you believe it? Broken the truce. Did you suspect this, Axel?” Lukan breathed hard against his shock.

  Face as bland as his father’s, a lie slid smoothly off Axel’s tongue. “Nothing in the intelligence reports suggested it. In fact, it has been very quiet on the Lapisian side of the border.”

  “Of course the swine have been quiet.” Lukan tossed his spear down like a screaming child discarding a pacifier. “They were obviously waiting for you to leave before attacking. They would have never have dared do this if you had been there.”

  Axel suppressed a grin. “Your confidence in my abilities and reputation is gratifying. What would you have me do about the attack?”

  “You could begin by calling me sire. I am your emperor, Axel. You serve me,” Lukan whined.

  As if that would give him the upper hand.

  Axel’s ire threatened to flash, but he controlled it. There was too much at stake to hang on to false dignity. If a few casually tossed sires got him out of Cian today, it was a small price to pay. “Of course, sire.”

  But Lukan looked so suspicious at his uncharacteristic deference that Axel swept a mocking bow.

  “Your wish is my command.” Axel’s sarcasm, more in keeping with what his cousin expected, immediately seemed to placate Lukan.

  “Nothing can threaten my mines. Lapis and Jerawin have to be routed. I want Lapis destroyed. Not one of them are to survive this conflict. Total annihila
tion.” Lukan scowled. “Stefan Zarot now has command of Treven, but he isn’t experienced enough to assure me a victory.”

  “As Lord of the Conquest, this is now my problem,” Axel said casually. “I can brief Zarot.”

  “Yes, it is your problem.” Lukan glared at him. “And you sitting on your ass here isn’t going to secure my mines. No, not just secure them . . . I want Jerawin’s head so I know you have done as I commanded.”

  “Better hope it keeps,” Axel said dryly. “Or it will indeed be a grizzly treat when you open the parcel.”

  “This isn’t a joke, Axel,” Lukan snarled. “The safety of our entire realm depends on us having those ice crystal mines.” He turned to study the waiting crowd and swore. “They’re expecting a hunt and a ball. How can I tell them our victory has soured? I—we—will look like fools.”

  Felix stepped forward, rubbing his hands. “Since when do we let our subjects dictate our actions, sire? Lead them on the hunt as planned. And tonight, we let them dance. It is not important that they trouble their heads with affairs of state.”

  “And when Axel isn’t here in the morning?” Lukan demanded. “I’ve already told you, I can’t have him wasting his time hunting and dancing when he needs to get back to Treven to defend my greatest asset.”

  Axel hid all signs of delight at Lukan walking blindly into the trap.

  “And the High Council will also demand answers. After Artyom’s death and Stefan’s discipline, they are restive. They won’t want to hear about failure in Treven.”

  “And we will pacify them, sire. A simple announcement that Lapis threatens our mines will be enough to keep those old women jabbering for days.” Felix paused. “And there is precedent enough of other Lords of the Conquest who, due to the needs of the crown, have spent substantial periods of time away from the palace.”

  Axel tilted his head, wondering what his father was up to. Was he preparing the way for Axel’s long absence? Did Felix think Axel would ever come back?

  Lukan dragged a hand over his face and sighed. “Axel, brief Stefan that you are taking over his command. He will report to you until the war is won.”

  Felix flinched, but Lukan either didn’t notice or ignored it.

  “Then you will return here, and he will stay on in Treven as the occupying commander. That will keep the Fifteen happy.” Lukan turned to the waiting high-born and shouted, “Let us proceed to the woods. May the best man win the boar.”

  A roar of delight, and the crowd began streaming to the drawbridge across the wolf enclosure.

  Lukan turned back to Axel. “Well, don’t just stand here. Get going.”

  “It will be my pleasure.”

  Axel started to turn when Lukan added, “Don’t forget Jerawin’s head.”

  Felix brushed Lukan’s arm and then stooped down to retrieve his sword. “Sire, you do not want the others to get too far ahead of you. It would do no good if one of your subjects got the boar first.” He eased the sword into Lukan’s hand.

  Lukan cast a flickering glance at the departing people, clearly torn between staying and going.

  “Leave me to deal with Axel, sire,” Felix murmured, gently nudging Lukan toward his dog handler.

  Lukan turned flinty eyes on Felix. “Disobey me in any way over this current conflict, and you will pay.”

  But Axel knew it was an idle threat. With Malika gone, and Axel’s mother soon to follow her, there was little more Lukan could do to harm Felix.

  “Of course,” Felix placated. He bowed to Lukan, and then both Axel and Felix waited until Lukan stomped over to claim his hounds.

  Axel was about to leave for the palace garages when his father grabbed his arm. “I have bought you time to work out your childish anger in Treven. Go and play with your new toys, and when you are ready to be an adult about this, an apology will bring you back into my bosom. Then I will hand you Lynx, Tao, and the throne.”

  Axel’s jaw dropped at his father’s patronizing tone, but before he could snap it closed to reply, Felix added, “In exchange, all I ask is that you leave Stefan and Malika out of all your scheming. I cannot risk defying Lukan by separating you from them if you seek to corrupt them.”

  Knowing exactly where Stefan and Malika were that precise moment, Axel grinned. “Got it. And don’t worry, when I’m all grown up, I’ll give you a shout.”

  Chapter 43

  Axel climbed into the Dragon’s Fire’s pod and stopped in the doorway. A slow grin spread across his face as Malika stepped into his arms.

  “We’ve made it,” Mali whispered. She looked around furtively as though someone far down on the ground would hear her. Impossible, as the airship door clanged shut and the propellers whirled. “I was so terrified someone would realize we changed ships. That we’d be found hiding out in here.”

  Axel squeezed her hard, thrilled to have his little sister back with him. “You need to have more faith in your big brother and his exceptional planning skills.”

  Axel looked over her shoulder at Stefan. Pale and gaunt, the last nine months had truly aged him. The dark hair around Stefan’s temples had grayed, and even his movements were stilted.

  Like an old man’s, Axel thought bitterly. He hoped Stefan would regain his former vitality once the lashings on his back healed. That Stefan had managed to summon the strength to conceive a child with Mali was a testament to his love for Axel’s sister. Retribution for Stefan’s torture was just one more debt Axel intended to exact from Lukan—and his father who had permitted it to happen.

  Axel gently pushed Mali aside and took Stefan’s arm. “Come, you look like you need to sit before you fall down.”

  Stefan cracked a smile. “Who’s mothering whom now, Ax?”

  “I’m just getting in some practice for this baby you and Mali are going to be landing on me.”

  “Ha!” Malika said, taking Stefan’s other arm. “That I want to see. You’re more likely to want to take him fishing or shooting before you mother him.”

  Axel scratched his head. “You know, Mali, I think right now we’ve got enough baby boys to fret about. How about you have a girl?”

  Malika laughed as they eased Stefan into a chair. “Outside of my control.” Her voice turned serious. “So Lynx is definitely due, too?”

  “That she is. And I intend to be there when she delivers.” Axel stood, pulled his informa from his pocket, and headed for the bridge. Thanks to his discussion with Lynx today, he knew exactly where she had been imprisoned. To the captain, he said, “Set a course for those coordinates.”

  “I am assuming there will be no barrier to us tethering in the forest, my lord?” the captain asked as he powered the craft away from the palace. He was one of Stefan’s men who had joined the alliance army.

  It was definitely time to ditch his old title.

  “Warlord Avanov will do.” Axel rubbed his chin as he considered the risk.

  No doubt, Felix would have rigged the forest with the ice crystal tripwires and Dreaded for the unwary. But not even his father would have considered an assault by airship.

  “I think we’re good.”

  The captain saluted and his navigator set about plotting the coordinates.

  Axel made his way back through the airship to Malika and Stefan.

  “So, what’s the long-term plan?” Stefan asked as soon as Axel had sat. “Now that Malika and I are defecting with you.”

  “Simple. After our visit with Lynx and Tao, you and Mali will go to Treven as Lukan commanded. You will be an exemplary Chenayan soldier, doing everything in your power to win the war in Treven for him.”

  Stefan’s eyebrows rose. “You expect me to command the occupying force while you and your new buddies attack us? I thought we were on your team? Axel, I need to be on your team.”

  Axel fixed him with a hard stare. “You are a vital team player, and this is what I am commanding you to do. It just so happens that my instructions match your previous orders.”

  Both Malika and Stefan looked
at him as if he had gone crazy.

  Axel took a moment to pick his words. “Stef, I know Felix and Lukan murdered your father.”

  A leaden glare settled on Stefan’s face. It made Axel flinch with guilt.

  “And I am desperately sorry for my part in that. As a result, I am determined that neither your mother nor mine lose a son and a daughter today.” He glanced over at Malika.

  Face turned away, she wiped a tear off her cheek. Relief, Axel guessed, because she was close to their mother. If Malika and Stefan joined Axel in the mines, Mali would probably never see their mother again. Axel didn’t want to see that relationship broken just because he had fallen out with his father.

  “Also, Stef, your presence at High Council meetings will be valuable. While Lukan has to put up with you, it would be stupid not to make use of it. As far as he is concerned, you have every reason to hate me. I suggested the discipline that led to your beatings. Any sane person would agree that no true friend would have done that.”

  Stefan nodded. “You never were normal, Ax. It’s one of the reason I have always valued your friendship.” He frowned. “So, now you want me to play double agent?”

  “Yes. You’ll do a damn sight better at it than I ever will.”

  Stefan grunted.

  Malika cleared her throat. “And what happens if Lukan figures all this out? I could not bear to watch Stefan going through that kind of torture again.”

  “Not happening,” Axel snapped. “The minute we suspect he plans to move against either of you”—he gestured to Mali’s stomach—“all three of you, you join me. There will be no negotiation on that.”

  Malika squeezed Axel’s hand. Axel waited for Stefan’s reply. It took a moment to come.

  Stefan saluted. “I accept my posting, sir.”

  The slow acceptance pleased Axel. Stefan now had more than just himself to look after.

  Stefan surprised him by cracking an evil grin. “But don’t for one minute think that my troops aren’t going to kick your ass all the way back into Lapis.”

  Axel traded an even more dangerous smile. “I wouldn’t expect less. That’s where my mercenaries come in. You can kick their asses as much as you like. They’re being paid for the privilege.”