6 Nights Until Winter Solstice
A BADGE OF HONOR
Cassia and Lio wanderedin and out of their avowal celebration as they pleased, joining in the dancing and laughter, then sneaking away again for more private gluttony. The hours flowed into nights, she knew not how many. Swept up in the current of emotions in the Blood Union, Cassia began to understand the immortal perception of time.
Eventually she found herself in one of the courtyards, sitting on Lio’s lap with Knight at their feet, to watch the drinking contest Solia had promised. Her sister faced off with Tendo over a flask of ora, the finest spirits from the Sandira Kingdom, while their Trial circle and the Ashes looked on. Captain Ziara and First Mate Huru, the privateer queen and her beloved consort, took bets on the outcome with their favorite gambling partner, Kassandra.
Through an open archway came the fragrance of mangrove trees and reeds. Orthros’s spymasters had joined the celebration as quietly as they glided in and out of enemy territory. Cassia and Lio stood to welcome the Queens’ Master Envoys, clasping their wrists.
“Basir, Kumeta,” Lio greeted them, “it’s wonderful to see you.”
“We weren’t sure you would be able to make it home for this.” Cassia could only imagine what dangerous corner of the Magelands the envoys had escaped from to be here.
“Of course we came,” Kumeta replied. “We were there when you first met, after all.”
A smile broke through Basir’s usual dour expression. “On that journey to Tenebra, when Lio nearly destroyed our carefully laid plans by sneaking out for trysts with a certain mortal lady, I certainly failed to predict how this would end.”
“He made a long list of possible disasters.” Kumeta shook her head at him.
“This outcome is far better than anything I imagined,” Basir said.
“You mean a best-case scenario came true?” Cassia covered her mouth in mock astonishment.
Lio widened his eyes at Basir. “Do I detect another shred of optimism?”
Basir frowned at them, but his aura smiled. “Optimism seems to befall me unusually often when you two are involved.”
Solia and Tendo tossed back another shot, and the privateers clapped. But Mak and Lyros drifted away from the festivities to join Lio and Cassia near the envoys.
Basir hesitated, then a veil spell took form around them. “We have news for you from Cordium. We have debated how much to tell you. We would never want to tarnish this night.”
“But we also understand that not knowing is seldom a comfort to you,” Kumeta added.
Lio slid his arm around Cassia. If you want to hear their findings, I will bear them with you.
Cassia bit her lip. Once, she wouldn’t have hesitated. Lady Circumspect would have gathered every secret to herself, no matter how painful, to use as a weapon. In this moment, though, Firstgrace Cassia wanted to forget about all of it.
What I want to do is dance with our friends until our heads spin.She glanced at their loved ones. But for their sake, we cannot afford to squander a single weapon, can we?
Lio sighed. I don’t disagree.
“What did you learn?” Cassia asked.
Kumeta pursed her lips. “I take it you are already informed of the current political situation between the Order of Anthros and the Order of Hypnos?”
“Yes,” Lio replied, “it’s notable that the Order of Hypnos has yet to intervene in the war.”
“Very odd,” Lyros agreed, “considering their history of being both rivals and allies of the Order of Anthros. It is unlike the Order of Hypnos to let their brother mages in service to Anthros burn Hesperines without competing for our heads.”
“I think the Collector is behind it,” Cassia said. “We know the Old Masters are pulling the strings of all the mages, but especially the necromancers in the Order of Hypnos. Kallikrates must have called them off. He even holds the Gift Collectors back because a war between us and the war mages is part of his plan.”
“Until now.” Basir’s aura was grave. “The Order of Hypnos has finally put out new bounties on Hesperines, and every Gift Collector from Corona to Martyr’s Pass is racing to claim the reward.”
“Who have they put bounties on?” Mak demanded. “Not the Blood Errant again?”
Basir shook his head. “Only two bounties—on Lio and Cassia.”
“I suggest you take this as a badge of honor,” said Kumeta.
Cassia’s hands coiled into her fists. “Good. That means he feels threatened by us.”
Lio’s magic flashed in their Union, and his arm tightened around her. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”
She looked up at him. “I won’t let anything happen to you, either. We’ll face whatever comes—with our Trial brothers.”
“That’s right,” Make said. “Your newgift has the best protection from Corona to Martyr’s Pass, too.”
“Thank you for the warning,” Lyros told the envoys. “That will help us prepare.”
Basir inclined his head. “We must report to our prince.”
“And make time for a dance before we go.” Kumeta slid her hand in his and accompanied him out of the courtyard.
His expression unusually grave, Mak looked to his Grace. Lyros paused, then gave a tight nod.
Mak didn’t drop his veils. “We have one more avowal gift for you. Step to us at midveil, and we’ll show it to you. Leave Knight with Zoe. You two should come alone.”
The moonless sky feltheavy to Cassia when Lio stepped them to their Trial brothers later that night. Mak and Lyros awaited them on a cliff’s edge overlooking the sea, shrouded in veils worthy of a secret council, not a party. She had never seen Mak so solemn.
Cassia glanced at the nearby sculpture of Nike. What were they doing out here on the grounds of House Komnena, holding a clandestine meeting near the Blood Errant’s memorial statues?
Lio frowned. “The Vigil of Mercy isn’t until tomorrow night. I thought that’s when we were planning to pay our respects at Prometheus’s memorial.”
Cassia smiled at Mak. “No one keeps Vigil at your sister’s statue anymore. Not when we can talk to the real Nike.”
“That’s why we’re here,” Lyros said. “No one will follow us.”
“I take full responsibility for this gift—” Mak began.
“We’ve talked about this,” Lyros cut in. “You know I wouldn’t have helped you unless I was prepared to shoulder equal blame.”
“Be that as it may, I started this.” Mak took a deep breath. “Lio, Cassia, this is one time when you must not worry about dishonoring a gift. You deserve to know what I’m offering you, and you have the right to refuse.”
“What are you talking about?” she asked. “Of course we would treasure any gift from you.”
“This one is illegal,” Mak said.
A moment of silence hung between them all.
He can’t mean that the way it sounds, Cassia protested silently. He would never break the law. He is too committed to the Stand.
I don’t know. Lio’s worry throbbed between them. Mak does rush into things without thinking them through.
When no one spoke, Mak went on. “Only Nike, Lyros, and I know about this. Trust me when I say that as Stewards, whose sacred duty it is to uphold the law, we have not done this lightly. But sometimes we have to uphold the spirit of the law, rather than the letter of it—and our highest duty is protect our people.”
Now I’m even more worried,Lio said.
Yes, Cassia agreed, because he clearly has thought it through very carefully.
There were a number of people they loved who orchestrated plots of dubious legality for the greater good. But Mak was the last person who would ever become a criminal mastermind. Wasn’t he?
“Please explain,” Lio said carefully.
“No.” Mak spoke with calm confidence. “If you have any hesitations, it’s safer for you if you don’t know the details. That way, you can’t be implicated if…things go wrong in the future.”
“How can we make a decision without more information?” Cassia pressed.
“Here is all you need to know,” Mak told them. “The gifts we have for you are against the Queens’ laws but will never bring harm to the people we love. In fact, they could save lives. You would be among the few, but not the only Hesperines to possess them. And the Hesperines who have borne this burden before us have gotten away with it for centuries.”
He gave his sister’s statue a significant look.
Cassia stared at his warding spell, which hovered in the air before Nike’s stone hand, an enchanted tribute to her legendary shield. Understanding dawned on Cassia.
Oh my goddess,Lio said.
Memories flicked between their minds, each of them recalling different hints. One night when Cassia had argued with the Tenebran lords about weapons, Mak had been strangely nervous throughout the debate. More recently, he had made allusions to a secret project with Nike, one that could help with the war effort.
Lio dragged a hand through his hair. They have weapons. And if it’s illegal, that means they’re on this side of the border.
And they have some for us, Cassia realized.
Lyros observed them and gave a nod. “Take a moment to make your decision. Once you’re in, there’s no going back.”
How do we feel about this? Cassia asked.
I don’t know, Lio answered.
We’re diplomats. Joining the war effort pushes the boundaries of our role enough. But taking up arms?
If anyone found out, you and I would lose our medallions, and Mak and Lyros could never serve in the Stand again. We would all be arrested and tried for crimes against the Queens.
Cassia knew there was only one convicted criminal in Hesperine history: Phaedros, who had brutalized innocent mortals during the Last War. She should have been chilled by the thought. But they were not Phaedros. If they took this path, they would be following in very different ancient footsteps.
Yes. Determination began to form in Lio’s emotions. The Blood Errant have used weapons for hundreds of years.
And they don’t always lock them away at Waystar when they come home, as the Queens command.
Rudhira has brought Thorn into the heart of House Komnena and never been caught.
If Nike’s brothers do the same…if Apollon’s children follow in his footsteps…if the eighth bloodborn takes up arms, as did Methu, the first bloodborn…
It could be a disaster.
Or a triumph.
Lio looked into her eyes. We must be of the same mind. We do this together, or not at all.
She took his hand. We are one. I will take up arms with you, my Grace, if you also feel called to.
I will not shy away from anything that gives me more power to make sure everyone we love survives this war.
I feel the same.
Together, they turned to their Trial brothers.
“We’re in,” Lio announced.
Mak blew out a breath. “I was sure you would say no, Lio. And I wouldn’t have blamed you.”
“You’re right, there was a time when I would never have considered this. But I’m not that person anymore.”
“You weren’t worried I would refuse?” Cassia asked.
“Not as worried,” Mak replied. “You’ll see why.”
“Can we leave from here without detection?” Lio asked.
Lyros nodded. “The magic from Nike’s statue will cover our departure.”
Mak held out his hand. On his palm rested a charm of some kind, a four-pointed star the size of his thumbnail. The pearlescent metal caught the starlight, gleaming brighter than silver and steel.
“Is that crafted from adamas?” Lio asked.
“No more questions. Not here. Join hands.” When the four of them linked their hands in a ring, Mak looked at each of them. “Ready?”
Cassia nodded. “Yes.”
“Whatever happens,” said Lio, “we have each other’s backs. And no regrets. Agreed?”
“Agreed,” they all echoed.
Cassia felt the pull of Mak’s magic as he stepped. The cliffs seem to shift and split around them. A weight slammed into her chest, and she smelled blood. As a vice of power closed around her heart, she wondered what in Hespera’s name they had just agreed to.