Chapter 46
Iwas so ready for a battle that what actually happened struck me harder than an attack would have.
We stood to the side of a stone platform on the other side of the bridge that connected the island to the mainland, and it seemed like the whole city had gathered on the wind-tossed cliffs, boots trampling the long grasses, attentions all fixed on Commander Loyal—what a name—and five other high-ranking officials from the military base.
I recognised several from our first meeting in that high-ceilinged room where they tried to keep Kier from me and learned a very valuable lesson about separating mates.
The commander had been visiting the nearby city that day, which was just shitty luck.
We could have avoided a five day trial of trauma-inducing horror.
That’s how long we were in the spire. Five days.
That ordeal didn’t exactly give me warm, fuzzy emotions about this island, so I was ready to unleash Valour and Baby and escape during the chaos.
My mouth literally dropped open when the commander laid out exactly what had happened in the goblin lands since the Haar began to bring people here, chronicling a tale of corruption, greed, and paranoia.
He laid the blame squarely at Cleodora’s feet, passionately and (weirdly) accurately telling the gathered people how she infiltrated human lands to stir up anger and rebellion, which led to Danette’s death and the creation of the Haar.
The commander made it sound like it was all Cleodora’s fault. And it was, sure, but I hadn’t ever expected anyone to see it that way. I hadn’t expected anyone to be on our side, let alone go to so much effort to tell the story in a way that spared Kier of guilt. No wonder they called him Loyal.
I got my first proper look at him as he stood atop the stage, his voice amplified and compelling.
He had skin the colour of cornflowers, dark, fierce eyes, a square jaw, strong brow, and a pale scar across his forehead.
Handsome, but nothing to rival Kier’s looks.
Plus, Kier’s shoulders were broader, and he was an inch or so taller. Not that it was a competition.
“He’d make a decent ruler,” I whispered to Kier. “Can we replace the prince with him?”
His mouth twitched, a bit more life in his eyes than earlier. “It doesn’t work that way.”
“Says who?” I muttered under my breath. Blood was a dumb way to decide who should rule when the people linked by blood turned out to be megalomaniacs or total dumbasses.
“Will we stand by while a Greenheart tyrant conquers our land?” Commander Loyal yelled, startling me when the hundreds of gathered people yelled no at the top of their lungs. Actually, I could get into this.
“Will we sit back while a conqueror with no claim to the Bluescale Court compels humans to fight a war against us?”
“No!” I shouted, punching my fist. “What?” I asked when I caught Kier smiling at me. “I love a good rally.”
“Will we allow an invader to sit on the throne that rightfully belongs to Prince Kier and Princess Zabaletta, as ancient prophecy decrees?”
“No—” I began to shout, then, “Wait.” I shot Kier an alarmed look. “They want us to rule?”
One eye closed in a squint as he looked at me, a wince tightening his mouth. “I wasn’t aware they’d taken that angle.”
“Kier, I don’t want a crown. I’d be an awful queen.”
He hooked me closer with an arm around my waist, his lips finding my ear. “You’d be an incredible queen.”
I shoved at his chest. “Don’t turn me on, we’re in public.”
His laugh shook loose the panic that had gripped my chest. Whatever a prophecy said, I was no queen. I was a thief, criminal, knife-for-hire, and princess. Not queen, princess.
“The time has come to return to the goblin lands,” Loyal said with gravitas.
“With our king and queen beside us, we return to fight our enemies. Anyone with fighting experience, we need you to stand with us and claim back our home. The Greenheart queen, Cleodora created the Haar to defeat us and steal our lands, but her blood will spill before we surrender.”
Well, that got the loudest cheer yet. Goblins were civilised and worldly and educated, but nothing beat some bloodshed at the end of the day, and the crowd were riled up.
“Anyone who will join us, add your name to the sign up sheet below. We leave in two days.”
Kier and I shared a look. Two days and we’d go home. Two days and we’d crush Cleodora and kill Jyrard. My blue wound would heal with his death. We could repair the damage the Haar and their armies had done. We could finally be stable.
Safe.