Chapter 22
VALANCE
The cheers from the giant encampment were thunderous and rather splendid. I waved at them as they bowed and waved back, their tall fires burning on the snowy landscape alongside the city of Snowdell.
Look at them, every single creature here to unite with me.
“Behold the king and his consort!” a giant cried.
Kormac tensed beside me.
“You really struggle with that term, don’t you?” I asked.
“Sorry,” he said. “It’s just strange.”
“I understand. But you are befitting of such a title, Kormac. It is not a terrible thing or a dirty word.”
He nodded, saying nothing.
Angelus… the word rang in my head. This was a detail that would never lose its incredible shock. But that didn’t matter now. He was here and human and by my side. His presence was the only thing that mattered.
“You didn’t say anything about the enemy at the borders,” he said. “That you were using magic to keep them out. How is that affecting you?”
How wonderful his concern. “I’m fine, Kormac.”
“But you—”
“I’m managing it. Everything will be fine.”
“But your magic tires out eventually.”
“I’m being careful,” I countered. “As soon as the march begins, our troops reaching the border, I can ease my magic from flowing there.”
“That’s…” He sighed deeply. “I’m scared for you.”
“There is no need to fear.”
“Of course, there is,” he said, a bite in his tone. “There’s always something or someone to fear.”
We walked the road curving toward the city. Dark fae lined the road on either side, waving and cheering. There were so many of them around, the former serene silence of this once-buried city long gone.
“I want to eradicate the fear,” I responded to my companion.
“What about being the thing to fear?”
“Apart from that.”
“So, you want to be feared?”
“Yes.” I stopped, taking him by the upper arms. “There has to be fear when ruling an entire realm, Kormac. Without it, I have no power. But that doesn’t mean I’ll be unfair or cruel. I want peace as much as I do blood. But blood comes first. It must.”
“I know…” he answered weakly. “But does everyone have to pay in blood?”
Yes… “No.”
We walked onward.
“What about Riverleaf?” he asked.
“What about it?”
“Is it safe?”
“Do you want it to be safe?”
“Yes. It’s my home.” His next sigh came out as a deep, sorrowful moan. “I know you have to do what you have to. I know you have to kill Lasair because, well, I want her dead, too. But I’m still trying to get my head around being on your side.”
Could there ever be trust here? Any real feelings beyond lust? We were denying the inevitable—that we were just too different to be anything more?
“I understand,” I replied. “You don’t have to be part of this fight.”
“But I want to.”
“I’m leaving the decision with you. However, I will do what is necessary to win this war.”
We reached the end of the road, walking through the giant archway at the entrance to this place of snow-dusted cobbles and buildings built of strange brown and silver stones.
Smoke drifted from chimneys, the candles of the street lanterns in their sealed glass domes beautiful sentinels along the streets.
Bakeries were open, baking wonderful-smelling treats.
Men and women cooked meat on spits outside, others sold purple and silver flags marked with pink roses, while children offered the crowds fresh mulled wine.
So much life in so little time, the city blooming as it once would have before Winter’s defeat centuries ago.
“This is what I want,” I told Kormac. “When the darkness rolls back, this is what I want to see.”
No… I want to see ashes…
Our eyes met, and he smiled. “A nice dream.”
“Soon to be reality.”
I wandered the city streets with Kormac for hours, greeting so many well-wishers, so many new soldiers for my army. I explored the various encampments beyond Snowdell, delivering a similar speech to the one I gave in the ballroom. Weapons beat shields. Voices cried my name into the night.
On our way back to the keep, the dragon landed in the snowfields to the north of the castle. I headed over to her, the magnificent beast lowering her head as I approached. She purred, growled, and awaited my touch.
“How are you?” I asked, stroking the scales on her head. “Did you enjoy your flight?”
A soft growl in response, her eyes closed.
“Soon, we will fly to victory,” I said.
After long moments of stroking, Kormac waiting a few feet away, I returned to my chambers in need of warmth and my soft bed.
Kormac closed the door behind us, locking it with the key. “Are you flying straight to Spring?”
I faced the mirror, caught his gaze in the reflection. “It has crossed my mind as a possibility. Destroy the nexus of power.”
He nodded, saying nothing.
“We must destroy them at the root,” I said. “Unless they surrender, of course.”
“You’d accept that?” he questioned.
“Somewhat. Florent and Lasair would have to die. I am, however, willing to listen to those who followed them should they offer me fresh allegiance.”
Another nod.
“I’m not a monster, Kormac.”
For now…
“I was thinking of Róisín and how she helped us even though she hated you.”
It was my turn to nod.
I loved the sound of his voice, how much care poured out of him. For Faerie, for his friend, and his village. For me.
“I have no quarrel with Róisín or your home, Kormac.”
“That’s good.”
“Would you help unlace me, please?” I asked.
He came over.
If he weren’t here, I’m not sure how much longer I would have convinced myself I could show restraint, that I wouldn’t burn everything down.
Yet I genuinely wanted the joy on display in Snowdell, to see peace throughout the world. I might have taken pleasure in violence and torture, but I also took pleasure from happiness, celebrations, and the smell of baking bread.
Of late, I didn’t understand myself. Poisoned by revenge, by my past, yet soothed by my one-time enemy, the only thing in my life that made sense, that put a real and true smile on my face.
I couldn’t imagine a life without him again. Not after this, not after the warmth always pooling in my belly.
Kormac reached for my laces with calloused fingers.
“Cut them,” I said. “That was the plan, wasn’t it?”
A delightful grin. “Yes, Your Majesty.” He drew a dagger hidden in a sheaf at his hip, positioning it at the bottom of the run of laces. “Ready?”
“Yes.” It would be nice to have feeling in my ribs again.
He cut upward, the corset instantly relinquishing its grip. It fell off me, landing softly at my feet, exposing the white dress shirt beneath.
A quiver of excitement traveled up my spine. His touch would soothe my thoughts, quiet everything down.
“Cut through the shirt,” I whispered into the mirror, watching him watch me.
“But it’s such a nice—”
“Cut it.”
“If you say so.” A cocked brow. “I know I’d rather see your skin anyway.”
My heart fluttered, almost winding me.
As Kormac put the blade to the silk, a commotion came from outside.
My head snapped in the direction of the sound, my boots carrying me to the balcony.
“What’s going on?” Kormac asked, following.
I leaned over the balustrade to see dark fae dragging two figures across the snow.
“I’m not sure,” I said.
I returned to the room, finding my long silver cloak from the large wardrobe. I flung it over my shoulders, fastening the string and amethyst broach at my neck.
A pounding on my door. Kormac darted for it, turning the key and pulling the door open.
“I must speak with His Majesty.” It was Orla.
“Enter,” I called.
She swept into the room, deep lines creasing her forehead. “Your Majesty.” She bowed. “We have captured a spy and a rebel.”