Chapter 7
Seven
KYRON
The Esspress emperor has spent the last five minutes in a fit of laughter.
The two women lounging with him in the high-back settee at the front of his throne room rub his round, hairy stomach and nuzzle into his bushy gray beard.
The rest of his wives sit on a colorful array of pillows around him, while his court relaxes on the floor throughout the round room.
Everyone’s sneers and chuckles carry on the breeze blowing through the sheer curtains that do little to protect the open space from the elements.
Despite the reaction of my audience, the request I’ve presented is as serious as they get. Esspress is all that stands between me and quickly reaching the Allaji island. I refuse to let the emperor or court deter me from my mission. I need their ships.
Straightening his long-embellished vest, the emperor catches his breath and says, “So let me see if I understand. You want me to supply you with a fleet of my battleships and the crew to sail them. And there is a great chance that you will not return them or my sailors to me intact?”
“Yes, that’s what I’m asking.” I shift on my knees, fighting to keep upright. My leather pants sliding atop the glossy floor beneath me. The asshole has yet to grant me permission to stand.
“Battleships take years to build. The loss of one, let alone many, could greatly weaken my fleet.”
“I understand, and I will compensate you in both goods and coins for any damage done while they’re under my command.”
The emperor shakes his head as he strokes the long blonde hair of one of his wives. “Many of the spirits of your ancestors are at unrest with your decision to take on this quest. You are meddling in the affairs of the Statera, and the outcome could be detrimental to your kingdom.”
“I don’t care what those who ruled before me think.
Each of them can fuck off. They had their chance to rule Pliris.
This is mine.” The words leave my mouth with a snarl, my indifferent demeanor cracking as my frustration heightens to a boil.
I’m tired of fighting for an ounce of respect and proving my judgment is sound.
I’ve led countless soldiers into battle and suffered minimal losses.
Every move I make is calculated, and this rescue mission is no different.
“And what of your people?” the emperor asks.
“The spirits say there is unrest in your kingdom. Your subjects are on the verge of riots. You’ve dismantled their traditions, and they are not taking kindly to that.
Now, you ask them to stand by your decision to thrust them into a war against a kingdom which fights by no rules. ”
I don’t hesitate to give my answer. They are words I’ve spoken to my council time and time again.
“Change is always met with resistance, and tradition doesn’t make an act right.
It will take time to dismantle the distrust and prejudice my predecessors fostered.
I’ve chosen to take up the mantle of my uncle, and I fight to bring equality to my kingdom.
Everyone under my rule may not agree with me, but there are those who stand by my choice to retrieve Micah’s beloved goddaughter.
The day he sacrificed his life for Pliris on the battlefield, he had one dying wish.
He wanted Raelle and I to unite our broken kingdom and rule together. I plan on seeing that promise through.”
The emperor motions his wives away and scoots to the end of the settee.
His fingers move to the yellow, triangular stone hanging from a thick gold chain around his neck.
He rubs the Spiriten like he is calling upon its sacred power to speak to those who have left this life.
Seconds tick by before he narrows his eyes and says, “And what about the wish of your dead mother?”
“I’m sure her spirit is the loudest of those who object to my choice. I have no qualms about telling her to fuck off as well.”
“You will risk everything for a woman whose fate is a consequence of her own actions? Raelle Mansi killed your mother and spilled her blood on holy ground. The Statera did not unjustly dethrone and deprive her of its graces.”
The room erupts in whispers, each exchange just as clear as the next.
What kind of king would sacrifice so many for someone who killed his own mother?
His single-mindedness will be Pliris’ fall.
It’s a shame his mother died; his land would be better off under her rule.
I ignore them and look to the one person in this room whose opinion matters to me. Borin remains stone-faced, standing with my guards on the outer edge of the room. His dark gaze locks with mine and he gives a slight nod.
I return my attention to the emperor with a new resolve.
I entered this room and fell to my knees, pleading for the Esspress emperor’s help.
My sign of respect has done nothing more than show this man that I am weak.
Although I’ve promised to compensate him for any losses, I’ve not proven that I can stand my ground against the Allaji.
Shit, I’ve not even stood my ground in this throne room.
Why should he lend me his ships if there’s no chance I can return from this battle?
I rise and cross my arms, done submitting to my equal.
“The Statera may find my parah’s actions unforgivable; I regard them as invaluable.
If it weren’t for Raelle, my mother would have used her gift to make me forget who I am.
She would have stripped me of every memory and fashioned me into a being who was not of his own making.
Raelle saved my life, and I will do everything within my power to save hers. ”
The emperor’s jowls jiggle as he scrutinizes me from head to toe. “You praise your woman for what she has done, for going against our creator’s laws?”
The women at his feet straighten. The curiosity written on their faces prove that they’re intrigued to learn my answer.
I slide my hands in my pockets and pace the front of the dais. “Answer me this: which of your wives is your favorite?”
“I do not favor one over the others. They are each precious to me.”
“What if I told you that one of your wives sacrificed everything for you? She defied the Statera and gave up her status in this court so that you might rule another day. Not only did she give up everything she loves and holds dear, but she would do it again without question. She has no regrets because you are the thing she holds above all others. Would you say you have a favorite then?”
The emperor is quiet for several beats, his lips twitching and brows furrowed. “I’d have to say that if any of my wives went to that extent for me it would be impossible not to slightly favor her.”
“Despite being disgraced in the eyes of the Statera?”
Understanding flashes in his eyes. “Yes.”
I stop pacing and glare at him. “You have just scratched the surface of what I feel for Raelle. Our love and devotion aren’t the one-sided example I just gave you.
We give and take no matter the cost, because nothing is more important than the other.
So, to answer your question, I love Raelle unconditionally.
The Statera may forsake her, but I never will. ”
The women around the emperor turn to him with lovesick expressions—batting eyelashes and hands clasped to their chests.
His gaze rakes over each of them before his shoulders slump.
If he doesn’t at least pretend to consider my offer, something tells me his bed could be a cold and lonely place for the weeks to come.
With a sigh, he says, “Let me discuss the matter with my advisors, and you will know before the end of the day if you have my help.”
With a curt nod, I say, “I appreciate your consideration, Your Imperial Highness.”
After a brief meeting with the emperor’s counsel, I’m granted two battleships in exchange for three seasons of citrus which is only found in northeast Pliris and a large sum of coin as the leasing fee.
The ships will only carry half of the forces waiting on the outskirts of Esspress.
The decrease in soldiers isn’t ideal. Our odds of failing have increased as have the chances of paying reparations for any damages to the ships. Still, the pricey trade is worth it.
I’m sure the emperor would have denied my request if it were not for the favor I won with his wives.
And I’m sure the whispered discussions Borin and I had with his senior advisors helped as well.
They were terrified when we told them the Allaji could turn their attention to their people next.
It’s only a matter of time before the shifters’ lack of self-control leads to the death of the Cyffreds they took.
What kingdom would they set their sights on if Pliris was annihilated?
The spirit speakers don’t hold a chance against the shifters’ brute force.
They could use someone with firsthand knowledge of what Zekel is planning next.
I could supply them with just that. And Raelle will be our most valuable source of intel. Her rescue would benefit us all.
When the answer was given, Borin added a quirk of his lips to the normal nod he gives me.
That smallest of gestures is how I knew he was proud of me.
The need for his approval had been lurking beneath the surface of my sea of worry.
It was then that I felt like I did something right as king.
That I could actually tread the waters of ruling.
I stand on the dock watching Greer direct our soldiers onto the two ships.
The vessels are intimidating, with their billowing white sails and cannons running along the sides.
People hustle around the decks, loading crates of ammunition and bundles of food for the five-day trip to the island off the coast of Allaji.
To my surprise, not one person looks out of sorts about what lies ahead.
They don’t seem to mind the impending danger the shifters present.
Or the shark-infested waters that will rock the ship, and perhaps capsize it, leaving us all to drown in the dark sea.
Not a single one of them seems petrified by the journey ahead, just me with my irrational fear of the sea.
“I get a sick satisfaction at seeing you afraid of something so trivial.”
I cast Rowan a side glance and shake my head. “Remember, all I have to do is say the word and I can have you tossed overboard.”
He chuckles and leans against the railing, crossing his arms and ankles.
His brown hair catches in the breeze and his blue eyes sparkle with mischief.
I envy him. Rowan is barely a man, and despite his lack of maturity, he’s sure of the future he wants.
On the day of his eighteenth birthday, he took his oath to serve Pliris as one of its soldiers. He ran straight for his destiny.
Other than wanting to accompany me on this mission, he has never asked for any special treatment.
It would be easy to use his sister’s status or his father’s position as ex-general to bypass the basics of his training, but he has done each task without complaint.
His dedication has drawn my interest in his progress.
Greer gives me updates and implements my suggestions.
He has the potential to be just as great as his father one day with the right guidance.
“I don’t think my sister would be too happy to learn her boyfriend dumped her only brother in the sea,” he says, staring up at the predawn sky. His bravado vanishes, replaced with a thoughtfulness beyond his years. “Did you mean it? Would you sacrifice for Raelle the way she did for you?”
“Yes.” I’m normally comfortable with clipped one-word answers.
They leave no room for debate and are void of messy emotions.
I say what I mean, and the recipient accepts it.
But I’m compelled to dive deeper with him to end his doubt.
“Why are you constantly challenging my feelings for your sister? She’s the one I wronged, yet I’m fighting an unending war with you.
I shouldn’t care what you think of me, but fuck.
Raelle adores you and I can’t stomach the thought of her being unhappy when you and I are in the same room.
What do I need to do to prove that I will never hurt her like that again? ”
“Bring her home,” he says with little thought. “Do whatever it takes and bring her home.”
“I am. I will.”
“I’m counting on it.”
I turn to the water. The rolling waves, endless depths, the creatures lurking beneath the surface—the ocean is wild.
.. unpredictable. It has every advantage over me, and I must depend on a manmade vessel to protect me from its dangers.
I thought it was my biggest fear, but the sea is nothing compared to what lies ahead.
It’s not the shifters or the unknown land that scares me.
I’ll persevere over those things. Fighting is what I do best. My biggest fear is that Rowan’s newly given trust is misplaced, and I will fail to bring Raelle home.