Chapter 52 #3
“The weather will be a boon for us. The Demons cannot blend in like we can,” he replied.
“Sylaira also Saw us split up.” I needed him to believe this so that when the time came, we could peel away and position ourselves to kill him.
We needed him dead to draw Stadiel out of Thalvireth to lead the army.
And because the line of succession laws dictated that Ishim inherit the throne upon his cousin’s death.
We were gambling on this move—that Stadiel would be too furious with me still to give me the title of Zahal. It was a huge risk, but one we decided we had to take.
He shook his head. “But where is the Halálhívó supposed to be? I will need someone to lead while I hunt him down and claim my kill.”
“I believe in Baelii,” I lied. It was as good of a guess as any.
Sylaira hadn’t glimpsed his location in the prophecy, only that he and his mate were together in the final battle.
But that central position would give us the best chance at putting both remaining members of House Vael?on in the path of death.
“It makes no sense for you to leave me. How clear was this vision?”
“I would rate it an eight,” she replied.
He shook his head, the rings in his ears clinking with the movement. “We’ll have to wait. Our scouts can track the Demons movements. Perhaps there is something in the future yet that will change it.”
Suspicion curled in my gut. What had my sister said to him? Was he—like Althirion, Nymirae, and Calrien—supposed to keep watch over us?
“You will keep me informed of all developments,” he continued, still speaking directly to my mate.
“We will,” I said, resisting the urge to shove her behind me.
Finally, he leveled his attention on me. “What reports have you had today? With how quickly we’re retreating from the Demon Realm, I haven’t had a chance to orient myself to what has happened in the last few days.”
Thank the Goddess he wanted to move on to another topic. “Padisa Iskarya’s group have made it to Baelii, and half of the mated Angel pair traveling with them relayed their belief that it might be a significant location.”
“Tell them to remain in place,” he shot back immediately. “Send another group past theirs.”
“Will do,” I replied as Ishim prowled the length of the room, glancing out the windows at the soldiers beyond.
Sylaira remained motionless, her white armor as pristine as her dancer’s posture. And that alone made me want to fall to my knees and worship her. She might have played her part as a divine appointee who bowed to no one, but to me she was a Goddess in her own right.
Suddenly, he stopped and spun. Stepped closer than he needed to. “I think I have everything I need…for now. You may go and arrange for the bulk of our forces to depart for Baelii. We have no time to waste if we want to properly set up to slaughter those animals.”
His hand rose, fingers wrapping around Sylaira’s wrist—too casual, too claiming. She snapped her arm like a wingbeat, dislodging Ishim’s grip. “I am the Seraelth, not your soldier. You do not touch me without my permission.”
Fury flashed in Ishim’s eyes, his fingers flexing in midair. “Fiesty. I see why you preferred her to Dasha.”
This time, Sylaira shot into my mind. “Don’t. Let’s get out of here before things get worse.”
Nostrils flaring, I forced myself to take a step back, shoving my mate along too. “We will make arrangements, most holy Zahal.” His title was bitter on my tongue.
He merely let out a low laugh. “I’ll see you at the party later.”
And somehow, those words felt like as much of a threat as a promise.
The sun washed over our skin as we fled the command building, running into Maelsar. The tense muscles in his face eased at the sight of us. “What happened?”
“Come with me and I’ll tell you everything,” I muttered to him.
“Do you need me?” my mate asked.
I shook my head. Sylaira ducked under my arm and wrapped her arms around me. I savored her touch, how her lithe frame felt pressed against mine. Anxiety ebbed from her, and her shoulders relaxed away from her ears as I stroked my thumb across her hip.
“Go find Lyriasthe and Isra. Ishim keeps the truest believers close to him. I wouldn’t put it past them to corner you.”
She scowled. “I love being the Seraelth.” Sarcasm dripped from her tone. “At least everyone fears you.”
“That’s because they don’t see the storm underneath your pretty exterior,” I purred.
That pulled a grin to her lips. “But they will.”
“And like me, they will be struck by the lightning you wield,” I growled. She stood on her tiptoes and kissed me. I inhaled her crushed ghostflower scent, trying to forget our precarious position with the Zahal.
Then, she drifted away, off to find her friends.
“We’re leaving for Baelii,” I told Maelsar, striding toward the supply building.
“When?” he asked, jogging to catch up.
“Likely tomorrow. And we need to watch our backs.” We paused, waiting for a group of oxen to pass.
“Why?” Maelsar questioned under his breath.
I faced my oldest friend, letting him see the fear coursing through me. “Because I think Ishim has orders from Iaoth and Stadiel.”