Chapter 36 #2
Mira finds my adjustment to the attention amusing. “You should see your face when they bow,” she says around a laugh on the third morning. “It’s as though you're expecting them to suddenly announce this was all a mistake.”
“Because I am expecting that. I still feel like a fraud wearing his crown.”
“You're learning. That's all anyone can do.”
“What if I make choices that get people killed?”
“Then you'll learn from those mistakes and do better next time. Leadership is about accepting responsibility and continuing to serve despite the burden.”
That afternoon brings news about Sereven's movements. Varam enters the study where Sacha has been meeting with newly arrived Veinwarden leaders, and spreads a map across the table.
"Multiple sources confirm Sereven is moving south toward Blackvault. Many of his forces defected during the retreat rather than fight against the returned High Prince. But his core command structure remains intact.”
“How many commanders?” Sacha asks.
“Seven confirmed.” Varam points to different locations marked on the map. “Remove enough of them, and he will become isolated.”
“We'll hunt them. Strip away his support structure until he's nothing but a man with delusions of power.”
“And if he tries to flee Meridian entirely?”
“He won't.” The certainty in Sacha's voice is absolute. “Losing Ashenvale, then learning that I not only survived, but have reclaimed my throne will drive him to desperation. He'll want to face me directly, to prove he was right to try to destroy everything I represent.”
“Which makes him predictable.” I blurt the words out, and both men turn to look at me.
“It will make him vulnerable.” Sacha's smile turns predatory. “Emotion clouds judgment. Desperation leads to mistakes. When he finally comes for us, he'll be thinking with his hatred instead of with logic.”
As the meeting breaks up and people begin making preparations, I find myself thinking about how much has changed since the coronation. Three days ago, the crown felt like a burden. Now it feels like armor, as protection for everyone who looks to us for leadership.
That night, I wake to find Sacha's side of the bed empty. Moonlight streams through the balcony doors, lighting up his figure as he moves quietly around the chamber. He's dressed in dark clothes I've never seen before. Soft leather that makes no sound, and dark fabric that seems to drink shadows.
“Where are you going?” I sit up, pushing hair away from my face.
He freezes, then turns to face me. “I didn't mean to wake you.”
“That’s not an answer. Where are you going dressed like that?”
For a moment, I think he's going to deflect or lie. Then he sighs. “To settle a debt.”
“What kind of debt?”
“The kind that requires blood.” His voice turns cold in a way that makes chills run down my spine. “The torturer who left me in the state you found me in. He's still here, still breathing, still plying his trade.”
My stomach drops. “How do you know where to find him?”
“My raven found him earlier today. Some things leave traces that never fade.” His jaw tightens.
“You were going to leave without telling me.”
“This isn't your fight—”
“That's not the point!” I throw off the covers and stand, anger flaring.
Silver light flickers between my fingers, responding to my fury.
“You were going to sneak out in the middle of the night to hunt someone down without saying a word.
What if something happened to you? What if you didn't come back?”
He has the grace to look uncomfortable. “I can handle—”
“I don't care what you can handle. You're my husband now, whether you asked if it was what I wanted or not.”
He goes completely still, like I've struck him. The vulnerability that crosses his face is so raw, so unguarded, that I almost lose my train of thought.
“You don't get to keep secrets like this from me.” His expression gentles my voice slightly, but I don't back down. I cross to the chest where my clothes are and pull out tunic and pants, dragging them on while I talk. “You don't get to sneak away during the night.”
“Ellie—”
“Don’t Ellie me. I'm coming with you.”
“Absolutely not.”
“You don't get to decide that either.” I turn to face him, fully dressed now. “You shouldn't face that man alone. Whatever you need to do, however ugly it gets, I’m going to be there.”
He studies my face for a long moment. “It won't be quick. It won't be clean. And when it's over, you'll have watched me become something monstrous.”
“You're someone who survived torture and refuses to let the people responsible continue hurting others.” I step closer, meeting his gaze.
“I want you to promise that we're partners in everything. The good and the ugly and the necessary.” I cross my arms. “No more secrets, Sacha. No more protecting me by lying to me.”
“Even when it means watching me do terrible things to terrible people?”
“Especially then.” The certainty in my voice surprises even me. “After what he did to you, he deserves whatever you give him.”
He's quiet for a moment, then nods. “All right, Mel’shira. No more secrets. No more protecting you from the darker parts of what needs to be done.”
“Good. Now let's go teach a monster what justice looks like.”