26. Take Your Orders
SOUNDTRACK: Nerve by Skycabin
~ YILAN ~
It took a moment to realize the sudden clench in my chest that was restricting my breathing was the fear that Melek might disappear, or abandon me. I stopped at the first landing and made myself breathe deeply and slowly, reminding myself of our plan—and the goal we would achieve through it.
Let them see him.
Let him prove himself an asset to them.
Then I could claim him.
Then he would be crowned, and we could turn our attention to the Nephilim at the border.
Together.
All of it together.
When my heart had settled to a more normal beat, though still quick, I lifted my chin and made myself walk down the remaining stairs until the hallway opened below to reveal the four guards.
They’d heard my footsteps, and the two closest to the stairs turned, hands on their weapons, while the other two gripped their weapons openly and scanned the hallway for the possible approach of others.
“At ease,” I sighed as I made it the bottom. “All of you. ”
Their brows rose when they saw me in fighting leathers, but I ignored the unspoken question and let them remember that I, too, could be deadly.
“You are all relieved of your posts,” I said calmly as their expressions turned to shock—and wariness that made me grind my teeth. “The prisoner has allied himself to the throne, and will be given his freedom.”
The shift leader blinked and stepped forward as the others looked to him.
“Of… of course, Your Majesty…” But none of them moved.
“I understand your concern, but I assure you it is not needed. The prisoner, Melek, the General, is not a threat to me, or our people. And he will be given the opportunity to prove that in the coming days,” I said briskly.
The shift leader’s mouth opened, but he closed it with a snap, gripping his weapon, then his breath huffed out of his nose.
“Majesty… please, I mean no disrespect, but… are you certain?”
I nodded, praying they didn’t see my jaw clench in frustration—this was only the beginning of the opposition I would face for this decision.
“I appreciate your concern, but I am certain. You may all go rest. See your families. Report to your Captains for new assignments tomorrow.”
The ones who had drawn their blades tentatively returned them to their sheaths, looking back and forth between me and the shift leader.
He licked his lips and did the same with his sword, but his forehead was lined with worry.
“What is your name?” I asked him gently.
“Lane, Your Majesty,” he said with a quick, but elegant bow. “I am your servant.”
“Of course, you are, Lane. And I know this worries you a great deal—and yes, will worry General Arturo as well. Please go and inform him of the order, and that it came directly from me. I’m sure he’ll wish to speak to me about it,” I said through my teeth.
The leader didn’t hesitate. He bowed once more, then turned on his heel and marched down the hallway, the others in his wake.
I couldn’t hear what he said, but it was clear that he was issuing orders, nodding and pointing in different directions.
Sending two of them running down cross halls—to locate Turo, no doubt—while the other two nodded once, then slowed to walk casually down the hallway.
Ah. They’d wait and follow Melek.
I sighed, but then I heard another, lighter set of quick footsteps, and looked beyond the soldiers to find Diadre sprinting down the long corridor towards me.
She ignored the salutes of the guards as she passed, though her lips moved, so no doubt she was offering some kind of reassurance to their leader, then she darted past and ran to meet me as I started down the hallway as well.
‘Holy shit, you really did it!’ she said delightedly in my head while we were still a cross-hall away from each other.
I nodded. ‘They’re hanging around to follow Melek, though.’
‘That just means they take their jobs seriously. Lane is solid. Don’t worry. He won’t defy you.’
When she reached me in the hall and bowed, I rolled my eyes. “I keep telling you, you don’t have to—”
“And I’ll remind you again that formalities establish order. And frankly, Yilan, you need as much order and calm around you as possible right now,” she muttered back, meeting my gaze with a pointed look when she lifted her head.
She’d been excited and teasing in the link, but she was, at heart, a soldier as well. And she understood how Melek’s release would be received.
Her expression was grim.
There was a moment of quiet, then she smiled softly. “How was your night?”
I couldn’t help but smile back. “Everything I needed it to be,” I murmured. “But you will hold that to the crown and those words will not pass your lips in the company of… anyone else.”
“Of course,” she chuckled. “But I reserve the right to torment you endlessly when we’re alone.”
I rolled my eyes, but I was smiling again. “The Guards think I’ve lost my mind.”
“Most every man will,” she said without jest. “But you say he’s resolved to prove them wrong, so… let’s just make sure he has the chance to do it. I warned the patrols that there may be disruption, and to be certain they have orders from their superiors before taking any… irreversible actions.”
“Diadre! ”
“You’d rather they called the archers, or brought a horde against him?”
“No, but—”
I broke off because the sound of hard-heeled boots ringing on the stones echoed down the hallway. We both turned to find Turo—out of uniform, but with a sword strapped to his hip—striding from the northern hallway two intersections down, eyes on fire.
“Here we go,” I muttered.
Diadre didn’t say anything. But she sank back to stand just behind my shoulder saluting as Turo approached, the shift leader following in his wake, along with two new guards.
“Your Majesty,” Turo said as he approached, sweeping into a formal bow, though with the men behind him, he let me see the fury in his eyes. “Lane has reported that you removed my orders for—”
“The situation has changed,” I said briskly. “I have released General Handras in recognition of his willingness to work with us and advise me on political matters pertaining to the Nephilim.”
Turo blinked. “I was certain he had to have it wrong… you have freed him? Without any guard?”
I nodded. “Walk with me, Turo. And release your guards. They are no longer needed. Melek will not create problems.”
Turo’s head snapped back and it seemed he might stagger in shock. He was so taken aback, he forgot himself and addressed me informally.
“Yilan, surely you jest—”
“No. Walk with me.”
I started past him, nodding to receive the soldier’s bows again and pretending I was unconcerned when Turo quickly muttered orders, sending them towards the tower staircase as he followed me.
Diadre kept her chin down, but remained at my shoulder, and I was grateful for her quiet support.
Turo took two quick steps to catch up with me, his hand white-knuckled on the hilt of his sword. “Yilan,” he hissed under the level of our footsteps on the stone. “This is insane.”
“No, it’s not,” I said quietly, keeping my face as serene as I could, eyes forward. “Though I do understand why you think so. I ask you to trust me.”
“I do trust you—it’s him I refuse to—”
I stopped walking and turned to face him. Turo drew up at my toes, hand still on his sword, his shoulders tense and broad, glaring down at me .
I kept my voice low and firm. “You call me Majesty. You have served me loyally, and my parents before me.”
“And gladly,” he replied abruptly. “And it is precisely because I truly care that I will not simply accept—”
“You have always commended my judgment. Please do so again,” I said tightly.
There was a beat of silence when he stared at me, then he leaned in and muttered. “Your judgement is for shit if you are loosing Nephilim among us—in the Palace itself!”
I gritted my teeth at the disrespect, but I’d always preferred it when Turo didn’t treat me as if I was breakable. I supposed I should be grateful that he wasn’t a simple yes-man.
“We will see,” I said. “But my orders remain. And you will not undermine them.”
His jaw dropped when I turned on my heel to begin walking again.
But then there was a low shout and the ring of a drawn sword.
I whirled to find one of the guards who’d come with Turo standing in the middle of the hall, facing the tower stairwell, his sword extended before him as he backed up defensively.
And Melek.
Melek emerging from the stairwell like a gleaming, onyx God.
Even from this distance he was breathtaking.