Epilogue
Lymseia
“ A s much as I’d prefer to lounge here with you all day,” I say, attempting to free myself from the tangle of Asheros’s limbs, “I do have things to do.”
“Mmm, I’d say you have plenty to do, High Commander,” Asheros purrs, making good use of my new title. He adds a devilish wink. “Though the things that require your attention are in this room.”
“Oh, please,” I say, wriggling from his grasp. Blowing a kiss, I give him a flirty grin. “You’re more than capable of seeing to that yourself.” Crossing the room, I pull my clothes from the dresser and put them on, even though my growing desire makes me want nothing more than to crawl back into bed.
After I woke from the sleeping curse, I shared everything I’d learned with Cryssa and Viridian—finding Arella, our encounters with the crepulnai, Lyndhaven, and finally, that night in Illnamoor when Tanyl cursed me.
Reliving that night was unpleasant for me, but even more so for Asheros. He’d pulled me close, rage and guilt pulsing from him.
“It’s not your fault,” I’d told him through the bond. “Tanyl is to blame.”
“I know,” he’d said, though I wasn’t convinced. “And I promise you, Bladesinger, that when we finally drag his worthless hide back here, I’ll make him suffer two-fold for what he did to you.”
Immediately, we sent word to Orim and Arella that Tanyl’s whereabouts were unknown. Though he hasn’t been seen since the night he cursed me, and there have been no reports of a winged male, we’d be fools to think we’d seen the last of him.
Until Tanyl has been dealt with, Asheros and I decided it’s best that Orim stay with Arella, for her protection. Savell, Ronan, Kheldryn, and Gryska arrived at High Keep about a week later, and after lots and lots and lots of convincing and swearing their loyalty to Viridian under the pain of death, he finally agreed to let their acts of treason slide. Somehow, he’d even managed to convince the council to abide by his decision.
I’ll forever owe him for that .
And despite all that transpired since I’d first left High Keep, Viridian still encouraged me to represent him as a diplomat in Illnamoor.
But this time, I flat out refused.
“You need me here, helping you navigate this threat,” I told him, point blank. “If Tanyl has the ability to summon multiple crepulnai at once, then we’ll need to be ready for battle. As of right now, our only understanding of their weaknesses come from the wars against the Old Gods and their Banishment.”
Viridian stroked his chin. “And aside from their resistance to common magic and weaponry, there isn’t much written about them.”
“Precisely. The wars were suicide missions until the tide turned. Not enough soldiers survived long enough to write about them, never mind the crepulnai,” I said. “Besides, you’ll need my expertise to translate whatever we learn into a war strategy the Guard will understand. Knowing the crepulnai’s weaknesses are worthless if we can’t effectively weaponize them.”
“Very well,” Viridian finally agreed. “But if you’re going to stay and advise me, you’ll need to take on a position dedicated to your research and strategizing. As my military advisor and highest ranking official, with a seat on the High King’s council.”
“Sure, of course, whatever you want to call it,” I’d agreed, waving him off.
His idea had been to give me a fancy new title and position. More than simply a counselor on defense strategy, my new role as the High Commander would be two-fold: I’d have direct oversight of the High King’s Guard as its highest-ranking officer, while Sura carried on with her typical duties as captain, and I’d serve as Viridian’s military advisor, counseling him and the council on potential threats to the kingdom, and offering my advice on how best to defend against them.
All that, I was fine with.
What I was not fine with was Viridian’s suggestion to have an elaborate ceremony to officially grant me said position.
And much to my dismay, Asheros was pleased by the idea.
“Come now, Bladesinger,” he’d said. “This is an opportunity for Viridian, and the kingdom as a whole, to honor and recognize you for all you’ve done.” He’d given me that look, the one he makes when he thinks I’m being stubborn for no good reason. “Will you at least consider it?”
“Fine, I’ll consider it.” I waited a moment before shooting back at him, “The answer is still absolutely not.”
He’d laughed, and merely shook his head. “You really are something, Bladesinger.”
That was twelve days ago.
Now, he sits up in our bed, his hair falling in front of his eyes. “A shame you have to cover up for your meeting.”
“It is quite a shame for you,” I tease, making my way to the bed and pressing a kiss to his lips. “Don’t miss me too much while I’m gone. ”
He flashes me that wicked grin. “I’m sure I’ll find a way to amuse myself.”
Shaking my head, I stride through the doorway and head for the throne room, where Viridian waits for me.
As I make my way through the halls, servants bow their heads to me, saying, “High Commander,” by way of greeting.
Though it’s been more than a week since Viridian created and appointed me to the position, I’m still not used to it.
When I reach the throne room, Viridian is standing with his arms crossed. The moment he sees me, he lets them fall to his sides.
“Lymseia,” he says. “Good. You’re here.”
“I’m here,” I say, with a nod.
“How has the crepulnai research progressed?” he asks.
“Not as well as I’d like,” I admit, shifting my weight. “But we’ve learned something. It seems the last Pelleveron queen was influential in weakening the crepulnai at the battle of Lothaes. It’s unclear what it was she did to turn the tide of the battle, but there must be a way we can recreate it.”
“That’s good to hear, then,” Viridian muses, though the tension working at his mouth doesn’t lessen. “How do you plan to move forward?”
Opening my mouth, I’m about to answer when the doors to the throne room open. Two figures stand in the entry.
My eyes widen, mouth agape. “Myrdin?”
Elation rises into my chest, and I don’t stop myself from crossing the room to greet him .
Myrdin grins at me, no doubt sharing my sentiment. “Lymseia. You have no idea how happy I am to see you.”
“Are you joking?” I ask, pulling him into a hug. “It’s been much too long since I bothered you.”
Looking crestfallen, he pulls away. “You don’t bother me, Lymseia.”
“Oh, stop that.” I swat his arm. “I’m only kidding, good gods.”
Myrdin’s cheeks flush. “Ah, right. Of course.”
I laugh.
Myrdin turns to the person next to him, and I clamp my mouth shut, cursing myself for forgetting that someone else was with him.
“Welcome back, Myrdin,” Viridian says, a regal air emanating from him in waves. “And your companion is…?”
“Ah, yes,” Myrdin replies, his face turning a deeper shade of red. “Viridian, Lymseia, this is Therane Ellerwood.”
The female clears her throat. Her light brown skin is perfectly smooth, golden like the sun. Voluminous, jet-black curls flow from her head styled in a braid that falls down her back, though wisps of curls break free to frame her face. The slight point of her ears tell me she’s part fae, at the very least. Her hazel eyes are quick, and I get the sense she observes everything that happens around her. She has a muscular, yet lithe frame, and maintains an assertive stance.
If she’s nervous, she doesn’t show it, her demeanor steeped in trained composure .
Judging by the leathers she wears, she doesn’t seem like the type to be caught at Court, nor between stacks of books.
Where did Myrdin find her?
“Your Majesty, Lady Wynterliff.” She dips her head to Viridian and then me. “I’m honored to make your acquaintance.”
“The honor is ours,” I say.
“Agreed,” Viridian adds. “However, Lady Wynterliff’s new title is High Commander.”
I throw Viridian an icy glare.
“High Commander?” Myrdin asks, his voice lilted with interest.
“Viridian created a cushy new job for me,” I explain to him. “I have the esteemed privilege of acting as His Majesty’s advisor on all things battle strategy. And a seat on the council.”
“Oh, I see,” Myrdin replies, his eyes wide with excitement. “You know, that’s really an immensely valuable position for the High King’s court. I can’t believe we didn’t have a High Commander sooner.”
“Oh, gods, not you, too,” I groan, looking to Therane for support.
Viridian and Myrdin laugh, each patting the other on the back like old times. Therane cocks her head slightly, amusement lifting her brows.
“I knew you would appreciate it.” Viridian’s mouth parts into a grin. “I’ve missed you, cousin.”
“And I you. Both of you.” Myrdin pauses, his usually cheerful demeanor dulled by unease. His eyes flick to Therane, who mirrors his expression. “Unfortunately,” he says, tone grave, “I’ve come with news.”
“If it’s about your father being some crepulnai mastermind,” I interject, holding up my palm, “we already know.”
Myrdin’s brows shoot up. “You do?”
Viridian nods, pressing his lips together. “We do.”
“Interesting,” Myrdin muses, brows furrowed. “How—”
“Your Majesty,” a voice says, drawing our eyes to the servant stopped before us in the hall. He shies back nervously, a missive in his outstretched hand. “An urgent message.”
Eyeing the parchment, Viridian takes the missive and reads it.
He’s silent for a moment. Many more moments pass, and he still doesn’t say a word, staring at the parchment as if his eyes could burn a hole through it.
“Well?” I ask, putting my hands on my hips. “Care to share?”
Mouth tight, Viridian clenches his jaw. Very deliberately, he closes the missive and hands it back to the servant, who scurries off. He takes a breath and then meets my eyes.
“Nisroth Pelleveron has invoked the Fyrelith.”
TO BE CONTINUED
The Of Metals and Curses Series will continue in A Tarnished Court of Copper , featuring our favorite sunshine Copper Court heir-apparent, and his grumpy assassin love interest.