Chapter 45
Roksana
One week later
Isat next to Rey, trying to hold back my yawns during the privy council’s discussion for the ball.
After Boyan’s wake, the transition of power sent the Brotherhood members into a frenzy.
They simultaneously glorified Boyan’s contributions and bad-mouthed their colleagues, trying to get into Irsha’s good graces.
Since I was seen as my friend’s closest advisor, my attempts to withdraw from Brotherhood politics were ignored, with several members approaching me to intercede on their behalf.
‘Sana? Sana…’ Rey’s voice snapped me back to reality, and I gave him an apologetic look.
‘I’m sorry, what were you asking?’
‘Do you think we should still search Truso for the void cubes? The last one found was two weeks ago.’ He paused while I waited for the reason for his question. ‘I would like to use the Brotherhood Observers in the palace to examine the baggage of arriving nobles.’
‘I’m sure Irsha will provide suitable people for a sufficient amount of money.’ I smiled, pondering his question. ‘As for the cubes, I don’t know. It feels like we found them all, but on the other hand, they were difficult to discover until they were charged with aether.’
‘We still need to search for them,’ Tova said.
Inga nodded, placing her hand on his, and I frowned.
She was dressed in a scholar’s caftan, buttoned up to the neck, with small glasses perched on the top of her nose.
I felt a pang of guilt for not asking about her whereabouts, but so many things had happened since my arrival that I hadn’t even had time to talk to Tova properly.
Judging by the whispers and casual gestures between them, my friend and Inga Tivala were closer than expected.
Tova noticed my glance and withdrew his hand, reaching into his pocket and clumsily removing a folded piece of paper. ‘I calculated the ore that was mined over the years. Even if the majority of it was sent south to build those damned pillars, the numbers don’t lie. There must be more cubes.’
‘What about the Wey Gates, Inga? Could your father have used the srebrec to build more?’ I asked, observing Tova’s moustache twitch with irritation, before he answered for her.
‘Maybe? I don’t know. The schemata you retrieved only shows so much without Lilliana’s help in deciphering it.
Lady Tivala’s information has helped, but I can’t give you a precise answer, Drah’sa.
’ He was flustered, and I caught him exchanging a look with Riordan and Inga, as if the three of them were keeping a secret.
‘We tried to engage the university mages. The schemata you brought isn’t just written in high fae but in an ancient dialect.
The scholars didn’t feel confident deciphering the script used by the Light Fae mages,’ Riordan said, before adding hesitantly, ‘The complexity of the text makes me think there’s someone high up in the Light Fae court collaborating with Tivala or Tangra. ’
‘I didn’t see any fae going in and out of my father’s castle, but that means nothing.
He could easily have visited them since he travelled a lot,’ Inga said, and I exhaled slowly.
I couldn’t fathom why a kingdom so dependent on magic would collaborate with an empire that despised magic and used it as a tool of oppression.
‘We need to get Lily out of there. If the Lumivitae herald doesn’t bring her, I’m going to the Light fae kingdom,’ I said, ignoring how Rey’s nostrils flared.
With only a couple of exceptions, the privy council didn’t know who I was talking about and stared at me in silence until Tova slammed his palm on the table.
‘No! I care for Lily, you know I do, but no, Drah’sa. For fuck’s sake, not every problem has to be handled by you personally.’ He glanced around at the gathered people. ‘You aren’t going to tell her how stupid it is?’
‘I don’t think anyone could stop Roksana when she’s made up her mind, but I hope there’s still room for discussion,’ Rey answered diplomatically, but it didn’t elude my notice that he sent a grateful nod to the dwarf.
‘The method is up for discussion, but not the need to have Lilliana back in Truso. First, because knowing Lily, she’s already learned the political reasons for her abduction.
Second, she’s the only one we can trust who can read ancient high fae,’ I said, staring Reynard down.
‘I’m not acting on impulse. It is a political necessity we get her back. ’
‘I never said you acted on impulse, and as long as I can discuss the method, that’s good enough for me.’ Rey’s calm, composed tone made my argument look like me throwing a tantrum.
So, I didn’t argue. I would do what I had to do, Reynard’s blessing or not.
I leaned back in the chair, more overhearing the discussions rolling over my head than actively taking part. My thoughts drifted south. Even if Tova discovered how to deactivate the Wey Gates, someone had to go there to do it, and it might already be too late.
Rey must have sensed my concern because as soon as the last person left the council chamber, he turned to me.
‘If you feel the only way to bring Lily back is to rescue her yourself, I’ll give you Ivar and my veterans.
Just please let me know when you’re going so I can arrange it.
’ He smirked when my eyebrows shot up. ‘I know you, Viper. The moment you stop arguing is the moment you start planning. You told me the method is up for discussion, so I’m discussing it. ’
‘You’re impossible.’ I shook my head and stood up. The green silk robe rustled when I approached him, placing my hand on his soft beard. Rey put his hand over mine. His face relaxed when he turned his head and kissed the sensitive skin of my palm, inhaling slowly.
‘I would be if I listened to the beast raging inside me and locked you in. I’m learning to trust your judgement, Viper.
To pick my battles. To love you without clipping your wings.
’ He lowered his head. Rey’s nose brushed skin over my collarbone, and I closed my eyes, running my hand through his dense black hair.
‘Am I such a burden?’ I asked softly, wondering how much it cost him to let me go.
‘Burden? No, you are my miracle.’ He smiled, pulling me closer, manoeuvring between my thighs until I straddled his legs.
‘All I’m asking for is a small concession.
Keep me informed so I can help you, and before you go, give me the chance to retrieve our friend using coercion and diplomacy instead of force. ’
‘Rey, she’s there all alone…’ I sounded small. Despite the reassurances I gave Irsha, every thought of Lily being held under lock and key resulted in a sharp pain that fed my dark memories.
‘I know, but I need allies. I don’t believe all Lumivitae work for Tivala. If it’s a faction or even one disgruntled mage, then Dagome still has an ally. Let me investigate before we break this thread,’ he said, and I winced.
‘You want me to choose?’ I asked quietly.
Rey shook his head. ‘No, my love. Just give me a little time. At least until the ball. I will use it to plan and analyse. If anything changes…’ He stroked my cropped hair, and I swallowed hard, embracing him.
I knew he was right. There was more at stake than my friend’s well-being, but it was Lily, and I needed to do something.
‘Did they at least answer? Are they coming?’ I asked quietly, pressing my forehead to his, wishing I had his dragon’s ability to read his mind.
‘They are, and not just Lumivitae. The Dark Fae Empress answered my invitation. My brother and his mate will attend. Even the fae from Windmaster Island and the orc chieftain from the steppes are coming. Everyone wants to attend the last ball of Dagome.’ He sighed heavily while gently stroking my back.
‘Before I came for you, I did something questionable… something that tipped the scales, but…’
‘What did you do?’ I asked carefully, already knowing about the massacre at the royal council meeting.
‘I asked Tova to prepare a few small void cubes, modified so they couldn’t be activated,’ he said, and I held my breath. ‘Then I sent them to all who withdrew from their treaties with Dagome or considered allying with Tivalaran.’
‘You could have killed them,’ I said, pulling away, but he held me tight.
‘No; Tova assured me that would be impossible.’ He sounded uncertain, his hands flexing on my hips. ‘I wanted to face the threat of a future involving Tangra.’
I froze in his grasp, unsure how I felt about that. ‘You showed them that something so small could destroy their kingdom and taught them to fear it.’ I exhaled a deep sadness, settling within me. ‘Did M?ot’s madness teach you nothing?’
I stepped back, feeling his hands slide from my hips while he looked at me, eye flashing gold. ‘You should know better than anyone else that the world isn’t black and white, Viper. If this saves even one soldier’s life, I’ll be the terror others learn to fear.’
I knew my words were harsh. After everything I had done, what right did I have to criticise him? But somehow, this felt personal and too close to an act of malice. ‘And how is teaching them to fear magic helping with that?’
Rey’s jaw tightened. This time, when I took a step away from him, he didn’t attempt to stop me.
‘You’re mistaken, Viper. I didn’t teach them to fear magic.
I taught them to fear me.’ His hands tightened on the chair armrest. ‘That’s why they’re all coming.
That’s how I know the Herald of Lumivitae is bringing his wife. ’
Whether the last sentence was to buy him my approval or absolution, I wasn’t ready to give either. Instead, I turned to leave. ‘I have matters to address in the Brotherhood. I’ll see you later,’ I said, wincing when his chair scraped harshly on the floor.