Chapter 44
Chapter
Forty-Four
EVIE
T he entire Capital was alight with more candles than when the army had left.
Though the sun had already set, children played in the streets and everyone had put on their best clothes to greet the warriors who had risked their lives for us.
The civilians had flanked the road where the warriors would march triumphantly through the Capital and into Phoenix Peak.
I’d convinced Zorin to enter the city and the two of us stood in front of the gates, on the Capital side. My proud nazdran still refused to enter Phoenix Peak and kept swishing his tail at the citadel, though.
Zavoya and Eldryan waited just inside the gates, hand in hand, necks craning to see their son.
The son they sent off to war while they lavished in luxury.
The guards blared their horns, announcing the advisors’ arrival.
I turned to see Banu and Valuta near the king and queen in all their miserable glory, still clothed in too much gold.
Greedy habits died hard.
Kaya walked a few steps behind them, dressed in her blood-red best, the pearls dangling from her crown with each step.
The advisors greeted the king and queen with low bows and syrupy smiles, before their mean gazes fell on me.
“What’s this?” Valuta’s voice whipped through the celebration surrounding us. “Why is she standing there in front of us?”
“You can address me directly, Valuta.” I turned Zorin around and faced her. I swear I could feel her powers pulsing in my direction. The crown heated up against my hair, fighting whatever spells she was trying to cast. The thing might’ve been ugly, but it was more useful than I’d imagined. “I’m right here.”
She puffed up her chest. “I simply think it’s proper we all stand in one line to wait for the army.”
Out in public, there was only so much animosity we could throw at each other. I could sense the advisors’ next attack was brewing, though I had no clue how and when they’d hit.
Wearing my protective crown and standing away from them was the best I could do for now, while all eyes were on us.
“Sorry, Zorin’s very stubborn,” I said.
“You let a horse dictate your choices?”
“You try reasoning with a nazdran, and then we’ll talk.”
Zorin neighed harshly Valuta’s way as her mouth opened with surprise.
“Nazdran?” She shook her head. “Whatever the case, you should not greet the army first and have my dear daughter, the favorite , standing behind you.”
“Mother, she can do whatever she wants,” Kaya mumbled, though it sounded louder than her plea back at the Arena.
“Nonsense,” Valuta said. “You need to stand side by side, at least.”
“Kaya is welcome to join me here,” I said calmly.
Kaya dared to look my way with a questioning, childish gaze, as if making sure she heard right. I nodded.
This day wasn’t about me. She could also do whatever she wanted.
“You sitting on your…nazdran–” Valuta blinked fast. “–and Kaya standing below you would look ridiculous.”
I shrugged. “Plenty of horses in the stables.”
“Kaya can’t ride,” Valuta said.
“And I can’t come into Phoenix Peak with Zorin.”
We stared at each other, neither backing down. I was no longer a pawn in their game–I was an opponent. And I would not cower.
“Riding is unfit for a queen anyway,” Valuta said primly.
“I ride,” Zavoya said, surprising us all. She touched her temples gently. “It’s a very healthy habit. I wonder why I haven’t been to the stables in ages.”
“You practice it for sport, Your Majesty, it’s different,” Valuta said quickly, bowing her head. “And what a sight you are when you gallop, the wind in your hair. Such a shame you’ve been too busy lately to indulge in that pastime.”
“Yes…I’ve been…too busy,” Zavoya repeated, eyes glazing over.
I clenched my jaw at the sight. Controlling the king and queen’s minds had become second nature to the advisors.
Valuta opened her mouth to spew more nonsense, but the ruckus erupting down the road interrupted her.
I turned as the Capital streets boom with cheers. People raised their hands to the gods, threw flowers in the streets, and cried out for the incoming army.
I rose high on Zorin’s back, but couldn’t see a whiff of leather or swords. But they were coming.
He was coming.
I had no idea what to do with myself once he did.
The army had marched back day and night after winning the war and clearing the battlefield, stopping only briefly to rest for mere hours and dispose of the Serpent stragglers which had run away from the final battle.
I’d felt The Dragon’s haste on the road, his anticipation pulsing through me.
For me, anticipation combined with apprehension.
We’d met through dreams, but the last time we’d seen each other face to face, we’d shared a fiery kiss and I’d threatened him.
I’d meant it that time, too.
With the advisors breathing down my neck, I hadn’t dwelled too much on the thought, but I had worried my quest to win the Capital’s hearts would turn me into a vengeful, spiteful little thing who’d be ready to do anything and everything to reach her goals.
I’d allied myself with questionable characters–The Postman was never coming anywhere near the Capital again–and I’d used tactics I wouldn’t have dreamed of in the past–Isalyth had success with the mysterious parchment, newly dubbed The Capital Courier, but publishing it in the dead of night was tricky with Beryn still commanding the press–but I’d still had that thread of kindness steadying my hand.
I hadn’t gone after Petrylla or Valysia for selling me out.
I hadn’t spiked the Sages’ drinks to get rid of them.
I hadn’t even asked Isalyth to besmirch the advisors’ in the Courier, for gods’ sake.
I didn’t need lies to destroy the advisors’ reputation and I didn’t have enough proof of their schemes. The symbol was still one grand mystery that haunted Goose; I’d caught him scribbling the mark on napkins and discarded papers when he thought nobody was looking.
The civilians didn’t love me yet, but their eyes were kinder when they looked my way, too.
I hadn’t let the Blood Brotherhood’s viciousness seep into me and, for that, I was glad.
Revenge could be spiteful and ruthless, but that was the easy route to take, which is why so many–advisors included–took it. That road only led to suffering.
True vengeance was succeeding without losing yourself.
The fight wasn’t done and–judging from the way Valuta scowled at me–wouldn’t be for long. But for not lowering myself to their level, I was already a victor.
At least that’s what I’d told myself all these sleepless nights, waiting for the army to arrive, distracting myself from the real issue I had to face now.
The marriage.
The bond.
The Dragon.
Even as the warriors’ march shook the ground, my heart still wavered.
Forgiveness or flight.
The bond complicated everything. I didn’t know where my true feelings stopped and the connection took control. If I couldn’t sleep or eat or function properly without feeling his essence close by, how could I trust my judgement when it came to him?
I did know one thing–my heart leaped when he appeared.
The mighty Dragon rode in on Madrya ahead of his army, head held high like the victor he was. The neverending line of warriors chanted behind him, banging their weapons against their shields, harder than any drum.
In stark contrast, the civilians rained down flowers on them, joining in the chant.
His gaze found mine even in the distance. His cold smirk turned warm and Madrya picked up her pace. Under me, Zorin kicked the ground, impatient.
My breathing turned erratic as The Dragon neared, the bond pulling taut between us. When he stopped in front of me, it almost purred that we were once again an arm’s length away.
“Blue Queen,” he inclined his head, glee dancing in his eyes.
I mirrored his nod. “Dragon.”
We kept staring at each other, tension rising. Zorin decided we were too far apart and yanked me forward, so he could rub his neck against Madrya’s, who neighed in delight.
“They’re happy,” I said, steading myself on my nazdran’s bare back.
“As am I,” The Dragon said. “What about you?”
“I–” I licked my lips. “I’m glad you’ve returned.”
A shadow passed his gaze, but his smile didn’t waver. “I came back, like you wanted me to promise.”
He did and I had, and there was so much happiness blooming in me, I struggled to breathe. But things were still hazy and tentative between us. The discussion with my cousins hadn’t helped, either.
But this wasn’t the time to dwell on the ugly and complicated.
He’d come back.
“Congratulations on your victory,” I said, finally smiling his way. “Pretend I’m raising a glass in your honor as we speak.”
His laugh was deeper than I remembered. “The true victory is seeing you again.”
Despite my muddled emotions, I blushed.
“It seems you kept your word.” He turned his head reluctantly to the civilians, who chanted louder and harder. “My people love you.”
I rolled my eyes playfully. “We both know this celebration is for you and your warriors.”
“I’m seeing smiles directed at both of us. We make a good team.”
Damn it, we did. “Ready to face our opponents?”
His eyes narrowed on the advisors and Sages, which hadn’t dared approach us. “I’ve been waiting for this.”
Zorin and Madrya reluctantly broke apart as we rode into Phoenix Peak together, shoulder to shoulder. Now that his friend had returned, my nazdran was more willing to walk into the citadel, which only made Valuta’s face turn a delightful shade of raging red.
“I have news from the battlefield,” The Dragon whispered as we rode, while we could still hide our murmurs in our nazdrans’ powerful trots.
“Ryker made more birds sing?”
“No, but he’s more open to the idea since I suggested The Huntress might like a concert.” His gaze slashed toward me. “Kleonos slipped before I ended his army. We’re fighting against three Clans, not two.”
It was a good thing I rode on Zorin, because I would have missed a step.
Here we were, on a day which should have been nothing but a celebration, already analyzing and planning our next moves.
We were incorrigible.
“Which three?” I breathed out.
“Kleonos refused to say, I think his tongue was magicked against this secret. All we know for sure is that the Serpents are involved.”
“Let’s say one of them is the Protectorate.” It pained me to say it, but the damning clues were stacking up too high for even me to ignore them. “Who in Xamor’s name would conspire against the Blood Brotherhood?”
“The likeliest culprits are the Northern Clans. We’ve had too many clashes with them throughout the years,” he said. “But I doubt it.”
“Why?” The Northern Clans had been a thorn in the Blood Brotherhood’s rib since before he’d been born.
“Ryker swears they don’t have the resources or leadership to mount such an offense. And something feels off. The Northern Clans are brutal, they strike hard and fast,” he said. “This is too cunning for them.”
“We’ll find out. Together.” He sent one last smile my way before he schooled his features into a cold mask as we finally stopped in front of his parents.
“My son, we are so proud of you,” Eldryan announced. “You have brought great honor to our dynasty.”
“It’s my duty,” he said dispassionately.
He nodded at the warriors, who began to throw jade armor and weapons into the middle of the courtyard, right in front of the grand palace. With the gates open, everyone in the Capital could see the mound of metal growing, symbols of victory in this heinous war.
Blood caked most of them and I shuddered to think what had happened to the soldiers who’d worn them. If we hadn’t won against the invaders, our warriors’ weapons would have been gathered in a similar heap by the Serpents.
War was as ugly as I’d feared.
I’d come to understand the Blood Brotherhood better, but it was still a violent, ruthless Clan when provoked.
A final golden armor clinked as Kylian and Myron hoisted it on top of the pile. The blood on this one was fresher than the rest.
“The Battlefield Butcher is dead,” he called out, halting the cheers. “The Serpents have been defeated and our lands are safe once more. We have lost many brothers and sisters, it’s our duty to pray for their safe arrival to the gods.”
As one, the civilians raised their arms toward the sky, lips moving fast with muttered hymns.
“The warriors standing before you have risked their lives to protect us all. For that, I will be forever grateful to them,” he went on.
“It was through your leadership that we succeeded, Your Highness,” Kylian said as he and Myron bowed their heads. “It’s been our honor to fight alongside.”
“No, Brothers. The honor has been mine.” He bowed his head lower than them, rising with a murderous look on his face. “But not all were honorable during this war and profited off of my absence. If not for the Blue Queen, you would all have suffered more.”
I startled as another round of cheers broke out. He’d been right–some of those smiles had been for me.
“But I have returned.” His head turned eerily slowly toward the Sages, who crowded together on the side. “And everyone must pay for their deeds.”