Chapter 62 Kiera
Kiera
The knock came with the first clap of thunder.
I’d been pacing my room since dawn, waiting for news of Aiden and Henry. Or for guards to escort me to the palace dungeon, if Renwell discovered my treachery with the gate.
What happened to me didn’t matter as long as the plan worked. It must work.
I’d already barricaded Everett and Delysia inside one of the secret passageways they were sure Renwell didn’t know about.
I’d fought with them all night on this plan, and they’d eventually given in, knowing I was the one Renwell wanted. That I couldn’t do what needed to be done if they were around to use as hostages.
Pierce opened my door before I could answer his knock. “Apologies, my lady, I’m to bring you to the throne room.”
It was time. All the Death and Four tiles were laid out. All the truths and lies would be revealed. No more hiding.
I drew my shoulders back, even as my knees trembled. Mother’s knife was safely tucked into my boot. My hair was tightly braided, and I wore the pants and shirt I’d arrived in.
Taking one last glance around my room, I followed Pierce to the throne room. I brushed my fingers along the glass doors that led to Mother’s garden.
Be with me, Mother. Give me your strength. Help me defeat the monsters, Nikella.
I tried to breathe steadily through my nose. Tried to align my head, heart, and body as Nikella instructed me. But the fear was an icy river, determined to suck me down. The names and faces of everyone I loved and my fear of losing them drowned out every other thought.
Pierce gestured for me to enter the throne room without him and shut the doors behind me.
The cavernous room was empty. The gold throne bare.
A brutal storm lashed at the many windows that faced the sea.
Unable to help myself, I hurried over to them and peered out. The rain made it difficult to see anything in their shifting gray curtains. But . . . was that a ship?
It was there, and then it was gone. Shadows chased each other under the lightning. Or it was my imagination.
“He’s coming for you,” came a deep voice behind me.
Gasping, I whirled to see Renwell standing a few feet away. Crowned and armed with a sheathed sword. His face was unreadable. The wind howled against the windows I pressed against.
“But he can’t have you,” Renwell said, an eerie echo of what Aiden had said to me when we escaped Aquinon. “Your loyalty belongs to me now.”
“What are you talking about?” I whispered.
He tilted his head to the side, looking like a merciless crow determined to scavenge his due on the battlefield. “I gave you one night of freedom. You used it. Now you owe me your oath.”
My hands shook behind my back. I’d thought Renwell would be too concerned about the battle to care about the oath I’d promised.
“But . . . Aiden . . .” I fumbled with my words.
“He’s being dealt with.” Renwell waved me forward. “Come.” He strode up the dais and sat on the throne.
Holy Four, did he really think I’d bow to him now? Was he truly so confident in his victory?
His eyes glittered as he leaned forward. “One simple vow, and you’ll have all the power I promised. But I will retract my offer if you make me wait much longer.”
I opened my mouth to tell him I couldn’t when the southern doors banged open.
“Not now,” Renwell snarled at the red-faced soldier. “I already know of the invading ships.”
“Not . . . the ships,” the soldier panted. “Army. Heading to the main gate.”
My heart leaped with hope. Renwell cut a glance at me, his face so full of wrath I stepped back.
“Stay here,” he growled. Then he swept out of the room.
I had nowhere to run. I could hide with Everett and Delysia and pray for victory. But I needed to stay. I needed to end Renwell before Aiden and Henry suffered too many losses.
I slid out the knife that had started it all twenty-seven years ago. The knife that had defeated a kingdom and destroyed families. But it had also saved my life and set Calimber free.
And now, it would defeat Rellmira’s greatest enemy.