I couldn’t help but smile.
A throat cleared behind us, and I wanted to scream in frustration.
“Your Highness.” Brion and I detached, and we both turned to face the tent opening.
I gasped when I identified the intruder. “Agent Stone?”
Scarla Stone, the cruel and malicious Census Agent who’d ensured my recruitment, stood in the entrance of the tent. But… she wasn’t the same female I remembered.
Gone was the agent’s flawless beauty. Several scars mar her cheeks and forehead. The agent’s typical sneer was also absent. Agent Stone looked meek and humbled. What in the world had happened to her?
“Your Highness?” She peered up. Instead of looking at Brion, her eyes met mine.
“Me?”
She dipped her head. “Your parents wish to speak with you.” Then, she finally looked at Brion. “You too, sir.”
There was a healthy amount of fear in Scarla’s eyes as she spoke to us. There should be. She’d treated me horribly in Caldiri, and then again in Draek. She wasn’t exactly my first choice of friend.
“Thank you, Scarla,” Brion replied amicably which only confused me more. “We will be right there.”
The agent dipped her head and quickly disappeared back outside the tent. I turned to Brion. He read the question in my eyes.
“Scarla Stone’s unit was captured weeks ago. She and a few others switched loyalties.”
Concern washed over me. “How can my parents trust someone who so easily changes sides?”
Brion shrugged. “You will have to ask them.” He placed a hand on the small of my back and guided me outside. It was like he knew I wouldn’t have been able to move on my own. I was distracted with trying to reason how the rebellion kept amassing draekon to their cause. Draekon society was designed to benefit them. Why would they fight to change it?
We stepped out into the sunshine where two rows of guards waited. Without a word, they took their positions on either side of us. Agent Stone stood at the front. She turned and began leading us away from Brion’s tent.
We garnered many curious glances and whispers as we walked through camp. I didn’t pay them any attention. My thoughts lied solely on this meeting with my parents. I had many questions, and I was determined to get answers.
35
Brion and I were escorted to a large tent. It was at least twice the length and width of any I’d seen so far at the rebel camp. The tent also featured sturdy furniture. A long wooden table graced the center of the space, surrounded by matching chairs. The rebel’s headquarters must have been here for a significant amount of time. Moving such items from place to place hardly seemed worth the effort.
Open flaps around the tent afforded enough sunlight to filter in, avoiding the need for candles. Several people sat around the table, standing as Brion and I entered. I recognized Leith, Lin, Min, and Lorie. Two other draekon were there, one male and one female, along with three male elves. It seemed we’d been summoned to a meeting of some kind, but I did not see my parents anywhere.
Lorie abandoned her spot beside Leith and approached us. I couldn’t help but notice the way Leith’s eyes followed my sister when she moved.
Lorie stopped and wrapped me in a hug. Brion stepped back.
“Glad to see you’re feeling better,” Lorie told me as she squeezed. I noted the strength in her arms. She’d definitely been exercising. Then, she whispered, “I didn’t know mother’s tea would knock you out for days. Sorry.”
I returned the embrace. “It’s fine,” I whispered back.
Lorie gave me one last squeeze before she dropped her arms. She turned to Brion and tipped her head. “Prince Brion.”
“Princess Alorie,” he returned politely. It was going to take time for me to get used to people using titles for me and my siblings. Honestly, I wasn’t sure I wanted to get used to it. Part of me craved my old anonymity, but I knew that was foolish. Especially considering the male whom my soul was tied to. Prince Brion would always have eyes on him and, as a result, I’d have eyes on me. There was no escaping the attention. I needed to come to terms with my new reality.
“Please, come sit down,” Lorie gestured to two seats nearest to where we stood. “The meeting should begin shortly.”
Brion and I shared a look then followed my sister to the table. The rest of the occupants did not sit until Brion and I did. That included Lin, which was nothing short of surprising.
“What’s the meeting about?” I asked, looking around the table, trying to gauge what might be ahead.
An unfamiliar elf cleared his throat. “The daily strategic meeting, Your Highness.”
“I see.” I observed the other unfamiliar elves and draekon. “And you all are…?”
“Leaders of our rebel squadrons,” Lin provided. He gestured to the elf who’d just spoke, “This is Commander Elis. Beside him is Commander Rewin and Commander Swone,” he introduced the three elves before turning to the draekon. “And this is Commander Furi and Commander Nelis. The rest of our companions, you know.”
I made eye contact with every person as they were introduced, nodding in greeting. Commander Nelis, the female draekon, cracked a smile. The males remained stoic, eyeing Brion with distrust.
“And what exactly are you strategizing?” Brion asked. “And why was I invited?” He must have noticed the way the others were looking at him. Their distrust was obvious.
It was Lin who answered, “You are here because you share a bond with my sister.” He didn’t address Brion’s first question.
“So it’s true?” Commander Nelis glanced between me and Brion, searching for an invisible string which tied us together. “His Highness has found his mate?” She and the other draekon commander waited for his answer with bated breath.
“It is,” Brion replied without inflection. He was the image of a composed and regal ruler, unaffected by being in enemy territory. He was every inch the prince who’d been raised to lead an army.
“By the gods,” Commander Furi exhaled, then smiled. “That is fantastic news.”
My forehead creased. The commander saw it and offered an explanation, “Draekon cannot act against our mate’s safety.” He looked back at Brion with respect and trust. “Prince Brion will not act against the rebellion.”
“And thank the gods for that,” Commander Furi chuckled. “Otherwise, we’d be doomed.”
Leith joined in their laughter, but the elves and my siblings remained silent. It was clear the elven commanders did not know if they could trust Brion, despite our bond.
The urge to convince them burned in my chest and had me saying, “The prince and I share a gliminee bond.” I made eye contact with each of the elven commanders. “The bond is similar to a Kyrie Spirit, though much stronger.”
Shock registered on each of their faces. They looked to one another, silently asking if they could believe what I said.
Commander Rewin asked, “How would you know a gliminee bond is stronger?”
The last thing I wanted to do was admit my link to Erwin. I didn’t want to give anyone any doubt of my connection to Brion. I didn’t want them to question his allegiance to me, and therefore his inability to act against the rebellion.
“Because it is my understanding that an elf has the potential to share more than one Kyrie Spirit in his or her long life,” I replied with confidence I didn’t feel, “while a draekon has only one mate.”
The elves murmured amongst themselves. Then, Commander Rewin said, “Kyrie Spirits are rare and cherished, but what you say is true. There can be more than one.”
Relief coursed through my chest, freeing bits of my anxiety.
The elven commanders’ expressions revealed their acceptance. They might not like the fact the son of their greatest enemy sat among them, but they would not speak against him. Not after acknowledging our link secured his loyalty to me.
I glanced at Brion to see his reaction to the conversation. He wore a careful mask, determined to keep his though
ts and emotions to himself, but he did reach out and take my hand under the table. I couldn’t imagine how hard this must be for him. I’d loath the idea of acting against my siblings. Though Brion hadn’t done anything to work against his father, his presence among the rebellion would surely mark him as a traitor.
Movement behind us drew my gaze. My parents entered. I heard the rest of the table stand, including Brion. I remained in my seat.
My mother’s hand was wrapped around my father’s arm as if they walked into a ballroom, not the rebellion’s strategy meeting. Again, I was struck by my mother’s beauty and grace. It didn’t matter she wore wrinkled and ragged clothing. It didn’t matter she walked across a dirt floor. She carried herself like a true princess. It was a wonder she’d managed to remain hidden while living in Caldiri. Her proud and confident demeanor had surely stood out in the poverty-stricken region.
Her eyes met mine for a brief moment before she looked away, focusing on someone else closer to the other end of the table. It was a dismissal if I ever saw one.
My father, on the other hand, looked me over from head to toe. His gaze filled with relief when he realized I was unharmed. It struck me that he’d been worried about me. Again, I had no memories of the man, if you didn’t count the one where he brought my mother flowers.
Arthur and Lassandra were strangers to me. But I guess it was nice to know at least one of my parents concerned themselves with my wellbeing. My mother certainly didn’t. Not after using her power to knock me out, then drug me for days.
My parents walked to the other end of the table. I followed their progress, rotating my body to keep them in sight. My mother sat at the head of the table, and my father sat beside her. The rest of the table lowered themselves into their chairs, including Brion. Once situated, he grabbed my hand again and squeezed, knowing I needed the support. I was beyond glad he was there with me. I couldn’t imagine facing this without him.
“I’m certain you all know why you are here,” Lassandra’s melodic voice filled the tent.
No one made a sound.
My mother continued, “Our forces captured Prince Brion of Draekon as he led an attack on one of our camps. Since then, a truce has been arranged and my husband and I granted him a temporary pardon for his transgressions. Now, I propose to you, the rebel council, a formal pardon for the prince’s actions against the rebellion. What say you?”
Panic threatened to choke me. They were voting on Brion’s reprieve? I’d thought they’d agreed to that on the first day I arrived. Were my parents not the true leaders of the rebellion? Couldn’t they grant Brion’s pardon on their own?
Before fear could take hold, all of the individuals around the table voiced their consent to the pardon with a chorus of “Ayes”.
Lassandra didn’t miss a beat. “It is confirmed. Prince Brion’s pardon remains. From this moment forward, he shall not be viewed as a prisoner but rather a valued guest.” She stared at Brion and dipped her head in a regal move. “Do you accept our invitation, Your Highness.”
“I do,” Brion replied without hesitation. It made me wonder if they’d discussed this situation already. It all seemed so scripted.
“Excellent,” Arthur spoke up, taking over the meeting. “Our next item of business is to discuss a change in our strategy.”
“What sort of change?” Commander Elis raised a brow.
I leaned forward, eager to hear what my father had to say.
“Regarding the end goal of the rebellion,” he explained. “We’d always planned to eradicate the inequality built in to Draekon society—”
“And to end the malice between Draekon and Elven citizens,” Commander Elis interrupted.
Arthur nodded. “Yes. And those goals remain. Though, Lassandra, Arlin, and I have started to question the methods in which we plan to achieve our goals.”
My eyes narrowed. If my father spoke of the plan to place Brion on the throne and negotiate with him, then it wasn’t my parents’ plan at all. It had been Leith’s.
I pressed my lips together to keep from voicing the correction.
“What methods do you speak of?” Commander Nelis asked, glancing at Prince Brion as if she already knew the answer.
“Now that we have had the chance to speak with Prince Brion, heir apparent to King Roderick, my wife and son agree that it appears we do not need to completely overthrow the royal family in Draek. We can get what we want through negotiations.”
“With King Roderick?” Commander Swone scoffed with a deep voice. “Unlikely. The king does not negotiate. Any envoys you send to him will be returned missing a head.”
Lorie gasped at the violent description. Leith’s hand shot out and grasped hers, immediately seeking to soothe her.
No one else reacted to the commander’s words.
“No negotiations with the current king will be attempted,” he stated. “The rebellion will not send men on a pointless mission.”
“Then what are you proposing?” Commander Swone asked. Not one second later, his eyes shifted to me, and then Brion. Understanding illuminated his eyes. The rest of the table picked up on his reaction and they, too, turned to the prince.
Brion didn’t say a word. He maintained a regal, confident posture. But, under the table, his fingers tightened around mine. I squeezed back, trying to lend him my strength.
“The rebellion will not negotiate with King Roderick,” Arthur confirmed. “Instead, we will negotiate with the next Draekon ruler, King Brion.”
If hearing the title felt surreal to me, I was sure it felt surreal to Brion. Still, my prince said nothing. He was content to let the rebel council discuss the topic amongst themselves.
At first, no one said a word. Those who hadn’t known of the plan processed the new information while everyone else waited for them to catch up.
Finally, Commander Nelis broke the silence. She met Brion’s gaze. “You will stand against your father?”
“Prince Brion will negotiate with the rebellion once the king is removed from his position,” my father answered for Brion. Commander Nelis looked between the two males, but she didn’t ask another question.
The elven commanders, however, were not so easily convinced. Commander Elis leaned forward, drawing the table’s attention. He spoke to my parents. “I understand Prince Brion has a connection to your daughter. And I trust he will not act in any way which may put her in danger. But what is to stop the prince from turning against us the moment he and Amelissa are free from our custody? How do we know Prince Brion won’t pick up right where his father left off the moment he is crowned?”
It was a fair question. The rebellion had no guarantees Brion would negotiate with them once the conflict ended. They only had his word.
Brion’s lips remained pressed together. He wasn’t going to speak up on his own behalf. I suspected he thought it would do little good. After all, it would just be his word against their concerns. Speaking would not do anything to sway them more than admitting our gliminee bond had achieved.
“Tell me, Elis,” Lassandra’s eerily cool voice interrupted the weighted quiet. “You have a wife, do you not?”
“I do,” the male admitted. Though, it was clear by the frown pulling on his lips that he didn’t know where my mother was going with her question.
None of us did.
“And what would your wife do if you made a promise—a promise to protect her family from harm—and you broke that promise?” Lassandra’s words dripped with condescension. Commander Elis withdrew his arms from the table and leaned back into his chair.
My mother continued with a hard glint in her eyes, “Prince Brion’s loyalty to the rebellion is nonexistent, but he is loyal to my daughter. My other children are part of the rebellion. Should the prince renege on our peace treaty once he’s crowned, Arlin and Alorie will suffer. Amelissa cares for her brother and sister more than anything, and she will never forgive Brion if he wrongs them. That is how I know Prince Brion will not turn on us. Do you see se
nse, now, Commander Elis?”
I watched the commander swallow back humiliation. Lassandra’s words were brutal, but her methods were effect. The commander nodded his head and said, “Yes, I see your point.”
“Excellent.” Some harshness faded from Lassandra’s eyes, but not all of it. She looked around the table, and there was no denying that though she and my father both claimed the title of leaders for the rebellion, my mother clearly held the most authority. “Now, if we can move on to discussing how we plan to remove Roderick from his throne, I would appreciate it.”
The draekon and elven commanders began sharing intelligence their scouts had obtained regarding the positions of the king’s armies, as well as his own whereabouts. Apparently, King Roderick had abandoned Draek shortly after sending Finn to Avelin for a peace treaty. Commander Rewin’s spies had reported the capital city was all but abandoned by the royal and his powerful noble allies. They’d all retreated to their family’s homes in their respective regions while the king toured his armies in the field.
“Why would the nobles abandon the capital?” Commander Swone asked, looking to the two draekon commanders for answers.
Both Nelis and Furi shook their heads. “We don’t know. Draek’s position is a strategic goldmine. With mountains behind the city, there is only one way an army can enter. King Roderick would’ve been safe there.”
I’d held my breath as I listened to them talk, afraid they’d make the mistake of asking Brion questions regarding his father’s strategy. He might not actively try to stop them from dethroning his father, but he wouldn’t help them defeat him.
But no one asked the prince anything. The conversation bounced between the five commanders, with only periodic interruptions from my parents, Lin, or Leith. Min, Lorie, Brion and I remained silent, content to sit back and listen.
The rebel council was in the middle of weighing the merits of an assault on the city when a loud horn pierced the relatively quiet air. Everyone except Lassandra jumped to their feet. Arthur positioned his body in front of my mother. Leith did the same for Lorie, and Brion for me. We all looked at one another.
Freed Page 24
