Chapter 83
Heat and rage burned through Rhyel's veins from Zena's news of the Lightbourne's ridiculous threat.
We never should've brokered that alliance with those heinous avians.
Rhys growled, dragging his claws over Rhyel's insides while fire burned in his wolf's eyes.
Indeed, Rhys, but it will end today.
Rhyel and Kaladin seethed as one as he curled his hands into fists.
"That is outrageous!" Vassan huffed as his muscles bulged and his violet eyes sparked in a fiery rage matching Rhyel's frustrations. "How can they make such a disgusting demand?"
Laughter sputtered from Sana's lips, stunting the anger flowing through Rhyel's veins as he tore his gaze from Zena to her. "My Lady? Why are you laughing?"
"Because I'd expect nothing less from the Lightbournes," she said, wrapping her hands around his clenched fists. "And isn't this what you wanted for me?"
"What do you mean?" he said, frowning. "I never wanted them to threaten us with war."
"No, of course not," she said, sliding her hand to his cheek and her soft gesture further calmed the rage burning in his chest. "But they're desperate.
" She grinned. "Kai and Sirius will surely be ready to beg on their knees for us to save them.
" She laughed softly and bit her lip. "And I'm a bit ashamed to say that I can't wait to see their pitiful faces when we deny their request."
Oh...
Rhys purred, retracting his claws.
Has our Lady always been this...brilliantly insightful and gorgeous?
His wolf whispered as the fire in his eyes softened to an aching longing.
Yes, she has, but it's more pertinent because she's embracing it.
"You have no reason to feel ashamed." A smile curled over Rhyel's lips as he wrapped his fingers around her wrist. "But yes, this is exactly what I hoped for you."
"Then we shouldn't keep the Lightbournes waiting," she said and his heart thumped and simmered as the joy in her violet eyes darkened with a mischievous gleam shining in her depths "Do you still have the alliance contract with you?"
"I do," he said, chuckling softly, pressing his forehead against hers, captivated by the fight burning in her eyes and pulsing through their bond. "It will be impossible for them to fight our refusal with that."
"Indeed," she whispered, caressing his cheek as she leaned into him, closing the gap between their lips.
He'd never felt this attracted to anyone in his life. It was as if nothing existed but his fiery songbird who ached to show the people who abused her that they held no power over her and he wanted nothing more than to be the vessel that helped her achieve it.
Gods, why did it take so many lifetimes for him to realize just how enraptured he was by her beautiful soul?
Zena cleared her throat while Vassan chuckled under his breath, shattering the bubble that formed around them.
"Forgive me, my Lord and Lady, but while I would love for you to enjoy this, uh, moment you're having," Zena said, clasping her hands behind her hand as she grinned.
"But the messenger is waiting for us to give our response and travel to Lightbourne with him. "
"Right." Rhyel sighed, reluctantly tearing his gaze away from Sana wishing they were truly alone so they could continue wherever their hearts were leading to. "We should probably set off now."
"Yes, I'm so sorry, Zena," Sana said, taking a step back from Rhyel as she rubbed a hand over the back of her neck. "This...this bond we share is quite, um, intense sometimes."
"Oh no, my Lady, please don't apologize," Zena said, shaking her head. "I'm quite happy to see you both like this and after the horrific attack last night, I wish you could have more unburdened time to spend together."
"Thank you, Zena," Rhyel said, looking back at Sana, trailing his eyes over her as he took her hand. "I'm sure we'll have plenty of unburdened time once we deal with the Lightbournes."
"Yes," Sana said, threading her fingers through his and the smile that graced her lips sent a flurry of tingles down his spine and pooled in a place it probably shouldn't have. "I'm looking forward to that and understanding this bond we have."
"I'm sure you are." Vassan chuckled with mischief dancing in his eyes. "Might I suggest that you two hold off on bringing any children into this world until we've dealt with the darkness in the realm?"
Heat burned up Rhyel's neck and scorched his cheeks as Sana's eyes grew as wide as saucers. "Th-that's not...we...we h-haven't." She stuttered, hiding her face in her hand. "L-lord Vassan...oh my goodness."
"It's alright, Sana." Rhyel chuckled, pulling her into his arms and she buried her face into his side. "Vassan is just being cheeky," he said, glancing at his bold and audacious friend. "But you're right and we'll keep that in mind."
"Oh it's going to be wonderful having you in Darcanos," Zena said, shaking her head. "Come on, we need to sort this mess out with the Lightbournes and then go home. I think it's safe to say we've all had enough of this festive season."
Sana let out a deep breath, clenching the fabric of his robes between her fingers. "Yes, I'm quite done with all of these engagements," she said, looking up at him. "I'm ready to go home now."
"I know," Rhyel said, brushing a kiss against her forehead and caressing her side. "I'm ready to go home too."
"Then I hope whatever plan you two have conjured up with the alliance contract is going to work," Zena said as they walked across the sandy beach to the palace.
"I'm really not in the mood to fight another battle today.
" She sighed, but a laugh escaped her lips as she nodded to the warriors sparring near the terrace.
"Although, I'm sure they'd be happy for another round. "
"Mm, the Darcanos are always up for a battle." Vassan chuckled. "Your people haven't changed at all and they seem quite proud that you are their Alpha and also a dragon. I find that fascinating."
"My people are used to me having many gifts and abilities." Rhyel shrugged. "Once I grew into my vast abilities they tend to find comfort in them now."
"That is a good thing." Vassan nodded, clasping his hands behind his back. "I was worried your wolves might be threatened by your new appearance."
"The warriors of Darcanos are hardly threatened by anything," Sana said, chuckling softly. "If anything, Rhyel's new appearance will fill them with pride that their Alpha is also a mighty dragon with the honor of protecting a phoenix."
Our Sana knows our people so well. I'm quite captivated by her right now.
Rhys sighed, wagging his tail.
I know and so am I.
"And they will be honored that you, my songbird, are their Lady with the rare gifts of a phoenix."
"Yes, that's true," she said, biting her lip. "But can we keep that between ourselves until I can understand my abilities?"
"Of course," he said, squeezing her side. "I understand and you can tell our people when you're ready."
"Maybe when you take my place as General?" Zena said, looking over her shoulder as they walked through the domed hallway toward the foyer of the palace. "That would be a great time."
"Maybe," she said, rubbing a hand over her arm. "We'll see how I do with training."
"You'll be fine," Vassan said, placing his hand on her head. "You've got all of us around you to help you. You'll be able to take down Zena in no time."
Zena let out a bark of laughter. "And I'm looking forward to our battle, my Lady."
"I don't understand this!" Lyra wailed with her arms crossed, tears rolling down her face as she glared at the messenger bowing his head. "My father wouldn't wage war against me. How could he think I had anything to do with this?"
"Lyra, I don't know how many times I need to explain it." Troya sighed, dragging a hand over his face. "But this isn't about you. Your father is trying to get Rhyel and Sana to respond as quickly as possible."
"I know, but I don't understand why we have to be included in my father and brother's contempt for Sana.
I'm sorry for what happened, but I don't want to be treated like her," she scoffed, looking away from him.
"It's not like we did anything and I don't want anyone to think we were responsible for that attack.
Do you know what the nobles will say about us and our House? "
"Lyra, you are out of line," Troya said, grabbing her arm as his gray eyes sparked in anger. "I've been protecting you and your honor over this, but the way you're acting right now is petty and childish."
"No, I'm not being childish," Lyra said, shrugging out of his grip as she looked from him to Dante and Ines.
"It's very clear that the only thing House Barshaa cares about is Sana.
" Tears pooled in Lyra's eyes as she looked across the foyer and pinned her half sister with a heated glare.
"I hope you're happy. You've ruined our family and my marriage.
" She smirked as her violet eyes grew as dark as midnight and fire sparked around her.
"Aneera was right. You should've died on that road like father wanted. "
A deadly growl rumbled in Rhyel's chest, matching the growls from Vassan and Zena.
Lyra had a lot of nerve to show her true colors in a House full of wolves and dragons who would lay down their lives for the woman she dared to insult.
The howls and thundering steps of the Darcanos warriors trampled through the hall behind them, weapons drawn and fangs bared as they surrounded their Lady.
They readied an attack at Lyra and anyone else who dared to threaten Sana.
A grin curled over Rhyel's lips at the smell of Lyra's fear and the Lightbourne's messenger cowering behind a pillar with his hands raised in surrender.
"Lyra, that is enough," Dante's deep voice bellowed throughout the hall. "You have utterly disgraced this House and I will not tolerate your blatant disrespect for my family or my nephew's fiance."
"No, it's quite alright, Dante," Sana said, sliding her hand over Rhyel's gripping her side and calming the rage pumping through his veins. "Everyone, please calm yourselves. There's no need for this animosity. Lyra was only speaking from a place of frustration, right?"
A snarl curled over Lyra's lips as she nodded. "Yes, of course." she scoffed.
Sana took a step toward Lyra, but Rhyel held her firmly against his side. He didn't trust the malice swimming in Lyra's midnight eyes.
"Rhyel," Sana whispered, caressing the back of his hand. "I won't go near her, but I need you to calm down. I don't want to fight here."
Letting out a slow breath, Rhyel nodded.
He didn't want to fight here either, but Lyra was playing with fire and after last night, he found it hard to trust anyone of the Lightbourne bloodline.
"As you wish, my Lady," he whispered, loosening his grip on her waist. He raised his hand, glancing at Zena, Vassan and the warriors poised for attack around them.
"Stand down, Darcanos. Our Lady is right.
There's no need for our animosity," he said, looking across the foyer and fighting the snarl itching to curl over his lips at the utter repugnance for Sana written all over Lyra's face.
"However, Lyra Barshaa, you had best watch your words and your actions toward the Lady of Darcanos because I won't be as lenient as my Lady asks next time. "
"Forgive me, Lord Rhyel, but none of this would be happening if Sana had just stayed away from us," she said, crossing her arms over her chest. Her lip trembled as her eyes brightened to violet. "Me and Aneera's lives were so much better when you were gone."
A sob choked from Lyra's lips. "It feels wrong treating you like a noble when all I see is a peasant pretending to be someone above their station," she said, wiping her tears.
"And I hate that everyone panders to you like you're special.
" She frowned, shaking her head. "You're nothing, Sana.
You always were and you always will be. I'll never be able to see you as something other than a dirty servant who was born to serve me. "
"What?" Troya said, stepping away from her with anger and sorrow filling his eyes as he pressed a hand over his heart. "You...you always said you hated the way Sana was treated. You said y-you wanted to help her l-like me. You...lied to me."
Lyra flinched, her eyes widening in surprise as she dragged her gaze away from Sana to Troya as if she remembered he was standing beside her.
"I..." She bit her lip and hung her head.
"Yes, because I love you and you never would've known if it wasn't for Sana," she said, looking up at him with tears rolling down her cheeks as she pointed across the foyer.
"It's her fault! She ruined everything."
"No, she didn't." Troya said, pushing her arm down. "You did."
Rhyel's heart broke for his cousin as he watched the realization wash over him that the woman he loved and adored for most of his life wasn't who he thought she was.
Troya stood in front of Lyra, looking over at his parents who held the same disappointed sadness in their eyes.
They'd all been duped by Lyra's kindness and he was sure they were all confused why they couldn't see through her deception.
Or maybe they knew, but they chose to ignore the signs because they truly loved Lyra and wanted her to be part of the Barshaa clan.
"Lady Sana, Lord Rhyel, I hope you can forgive my wife's resentment. She doesn't represent me or House Barshaa," Troya said, pressing a fist over his heart and bowing. "This House will always stand with House Darcanos. We are family and we will always come to your aid."
"Thank you, Lord Troya," Rhyel said, threading his fingers through Sana's. "We never had any doubt and as far as your wife's resentment we—"
"Forgive it," Sana said, finishing his sentence as she squeezed his hand.
It wasn't exactly what he was going to say, but he was intrigued with what his Lady had to say.
"It's not easy to accept that the father you've always known has decided to hate you, abuse you and disown you or in poor Lyra's case, threaten war against you."
The faux pity dripping in Sana's voice had Rhyel biting his cheeks to fight the laughter itching to tumble out of his mouth.
"But I suppose I understand your frustrations, Lyra.
I also understand why you'll never be able to see me as nothing more than your servant and that's okay.
" Sana shrugged. "I don't need you to see me and if you want to blame me for the wonderful life you could've had with the man you've always loved, I certainly won't stop you," she said as her violet eyes glowed with a spirited fire behind them.
"But I hope you always remember the hatred you felt for me that gave you the life you deserve. "
There she was.
The gorgeous spirited woman he witnessed in Grensea and his strong-willed, sharp-tongued phoenix.
Her shell had fallen away and here she was bathed in a confident glow he had yet to see from her and he found it difficult to tear his gaze away.
"House Barshaa, I will always see you as my family and I'm so thankful that you'll always come to House Darconos' aid," Sana said, giving them a bow of respect. "I hope you wouldn't mind if we lean on you again and ask for your assistance when we address House Lightbourne's request?"
"My Lady." Dante said with a proud grin spreading across his face as he pressed a fist to his chest and gave her a deep bow. "We would be honored to assist you."
"Lady Sana." Rhyel turned to her, taking her hands and bringing them to his lips. "Accalia truly shines brightly in your eyes. Darcanos will follow you wherever you go."
A brilliant smile spread across Sana's lips and warmed his soul. "Accalia shines brightly on us all, my Lord."
A thunderous roar of 'hooah' filled the foyer of the palace, shaking the tiles at their jubilant outcry.
Love and pride hummed through Rhyel's veins for Sana. He couldn't wait to see how brightly she was going to shine once she dealt with the last few chains of her past holding her back.
She was going to be magnificent and he was going to love watching her becoming the woman and the phoenix she was always meant to be.