Chapter 29 #2
If she pretended to See that event unfold, would he believe it was a theological conveyance from our deity?
With how far removed the islanders had been, a political message wouldn’t convince him, of that I was certain.
“And how does everyone else feel about their conscription?” Because his words would be a balm to them, and we needed all the northern recruits on our side too.
“The young ones are rightly afraid. I believe they will be on their best behavior. Especially around the Seraelth.” His gaze fell over Sylaira.
Reaching up, she removed her hood, revealing her silver hair and hard expression. “My mate will ensure no harm comes to me, no matter what it takes. I am here to save the realm. The Goddess makes her will known through me and me alone.”
I nearly choked on the hot liquid slipping down my throat.
“What are you doing?”
“Against my better judgment, helping you.”
Guilt lingered beneath those words as she retreated. There was something she wasn’t telling me, especially about her visions. When I broached the subject after her Seeing sessions, she changed it. And it wasn’t because she was still upset with herself over Helene.
Oshenai slid to his knees, hands clasped like he was going to pray. “Seraelth, daughter of our most holy, I am honored to be in your presence. If there is anything you need, I or my people will ensure you have it.”
“I will hold you to that,” she said, her chin lifted high and defiance threaded into her posture.
He pressed his hooked thumbs to his forehead. “I will prepare my most loyal warriors to guard you. They will give their lives for yours, should the need arise.”
I flicked my attention to Maelsar, who offered me a subtle nod.
Having Sylaira under the protection of those who held no loyalty to the crown would be another step outside our cage.
Each bar we could break would be a boon.
Thalessa and a few others from Thalvireth watched her now, but I trusted them as much as a sheep would trust a wolf.
“Your generosity is appreciated,” I replied for Sylaira. “To have such fearsome warriors to protect my mate must be divine intervention from the Goddess.”
“I’ll arrange for them to leave with you shortly,” he explained, rising to his feet. “As I understand it, the manor is ready to receive you and whomever else will stay there. Mayyal is quite the character.”
“That she is.” I turned to Sylaira. “You and Lyriasthe go and get settled. Rest. We’ll join you there later.”
“Okay,” she agreed, the word low and melodic. Nightmares—borne of both visions and trauma—had plagued her sleeping hours, leaving rings of purple under her eyes. Hours before our arrival, she’d come back screaming from the future. Again.
Sylaira’s visions were growing worse and worse, and yet she kept me out of every single one when I needed the contents to ensure we all fucking lived. But she never balked at them. In fact, despite the effect they had on her, she welcomed them.
The four of us downed the rest of our drinks and stood.
“If you’ll show me around the academy, I’d like to get acquainted with everyone before we depart,” I said, straightening my armor.
The indigo leather made me stand out among the crowd of gray and polished metal, and I needed to appear pristine, unruffled, if I was going to garner loyal followers rather than fearful ones.
“And when do you think that will be?” Oshenai asked, his head tilting ever so slightly to the side.
“We’ll move out in two days. Three if we cannot gather everything before then,” I told him.
He nodded. “Three we can do. But there is no time to waste. Come.”
I pressed a kiss to Sylaira’s forehead, then guided her back into the sunshine with my hand on her lower back. Our bond hummed, content with these small touches, even if we weren’t entirely reconciled.
Grooms watered our horses at the stables while Oshenai gathered six Hathi he believed capable of protecting Sylaira.
I walked the line of them, studying each male and female in turn. “If so much as a scratch happens,” I threatened, steel sharpening my tone, “you’re all dead. Do not let Althirion or Nymirae close either.”
None flinched at the promise of violence. “Yes, Issaraeth,” the tallest male said, pounding his fist into his chest. The others did the same, the rhythm drowning out the beats of their hearts.
That Demon magic lurked, the cuts on my arm still open even with salves from the healers. I rubbed the bandage over them like that would force the wounds closed.
Maelsar and I stood shoulder to shoulder as the females we loved turned onto the main road to ride toward House R?viel’s estate.
“This isn’t a mistake, right?” I asked him. Truly, I didn’t trust anyone with her, but touring the camp would be far easier without having to worry about the recruits surging forward and seeking a glimpse of her—if not more.
Vyss was still far too fresh in my mind.
“I’ll flay them all alive if they betray us and hurt Lyr,” he commented, crossing his arms over his chest.
We waited until they were tiny dots on the horizon before returning to Oshenai. Yet as we walked the lines of tents, my focus was split, half on my bond and half on the soldiers in front of me.
All the while fighting to clear the red vines that still striated my vision.