Chapter 56
The Doitean owned no chairs. As a soldier, I was used to sitting on whatever surface was available, but in this situation, I was more than uncomfortable.
Yes, there was a soft fur between me and the packed earth, but boiling heat radiated through the thin sheet, cooking me slowly. I wore way too many clothes, but I wouldn’t strip down in front of a female who wasn’t mine.
Lasair sat down on a hide across from the one I’d claimed, and although we were alone inside the tent, my senses told me that the structure was surrounded by guards with their weapons at the ready.
“Speak, an Daoscarshlua. If you can convince me of your well-meaning intentions, you’ll be free to go.”
“And if I can’t, I’ll end up as your prisoner?”
“Or a solved problem for Galanta.”
The one who typically issued death threats was me, and I hated to be on the receiving end when I could do nothing to change the situation.
I clamped down hard on my temper, my jaw so tense that my teeth hurt.
But I had to succeed. “Whatever. So, Galrach ordered me to bring him your firestone, and I have some strong assumptions as to why. Following his command doesn’t align with my goals, yet I can’t defy him openly. ”
“Why does the tyrant desire our sacred relic?”
“Because he’s a racist shithead who has no consideration for our roots, I’d guess.”
“And you do?”
“Chieftain Lasair, I don’t have much respect for anything. But the ancients? I’d be a fool not to acknowledge you for what you are.”
“And what are we in your opinion?”
“The essence of life running through Galanta. Not only the past but also the future. Wisdom of millennia causing almost everyone’s existence to pale in comparison. And—a problem.”
Lasair tensed.
I knew she would. Still, being open with her was necessary, or else she’d assume I was simply flattering her to save my own skin. And nothing was further from my intention.
“A problem? Elaborate.”
“The ancients have always been a special interest of mine. When I was younger, I read a lot about the six tribes, as well as about the origins of magic, and I discussed this with scholars. But what I’ve learned lately is disconcerting.
You’re dying out. Which should be impossible since the ancients received the gift of immortality from Kalag, didn’t they? ”
“I will neither confirm nor deny your thesis.”
“Of course. It’s a secret, and I respect that.
But the sentiment remains—the tribes are dwindling in numbers.
There are, what, maybe still ten Graigh alive?
Your people and the Ainmhi are faring slightly better, according to my research.
The Uisce? The Aeri? The last intel from a century ago states that their tribes have no more than twenty members each left.
And no one has seen the Dorchacht in a long time.
Then, the last child born to any of the tribes?
One who had more than just such distant ancestry that their blood wouldn’t count as related to the ancients?
Was that a few millennia ago? So, all this paints a grim picture, even if we ignore that no one has heard anything about any of the godkin for even longer.
Did they truly all perish, as that one origin legend claims?
It’s unsettling. Especially in front of the backdrop that the fabric between the worlds is thinning and ripping open in places. ”
The chieftain studied me long and intently.
Finally, my interest in this unusual topic—inherited from my father, by the way—paid off.
“Your information is almost correct. And I have to admit, you surprise me, given your roots, deeds, and reputation.”
“Oh, I’m sure everything you heard about me is accurate. But you haven’t heard everything there is to me, so that’s that.”
“At least you speak true and from the heart. I respect that. But tell me, why don’t you defy your kin? You spoke of two reasons.”
“Yes. First, I can’t physically fight him. When I was a faeling, he ensured that I’d never be able to hurt him. Whenever I try, the aggression reverts to me, and I collapse in pain.”
“Deasghnatha an Athru Iomlan?”
“I’m not sure, but Ritual of Reversal sounds pretty accurate.” I didn’t like the way the chieftain looked at me, as if she could see right through me.
“Unpleasant. Well. Yes, I do understand how that’s a disadvantage. And your second reason?”
“Galrach is blackmailing me. And though the first argument is a strong one, the second concern is the only one that matters. In the end, I’d commit the worst atrocities the worlds have ever witnessed to disarm the threat my grandfather holds over my head.”
“So, you selfishly set out and do a mad king’s bidding? Why?”
“Because not doing so would endanger my woman.”
“A human female?”
“Yes. I recently found her in Ivreia. I’m courting her, and my wish to keep her safe has nothing to do with the fact that she underwent the Rite of Binding with me.
Even if she were without a drop of Potential, I’d do everything in my power to protect her from harm with the same determination and ferocity.
” This time, I couldn’t help myself. I bared my teeth, warning her not to say anything negative about Nayana.
My magic swelled—the powers grew agitated as well.
“What a surprise. The monster has a heart.”
Shrugging, I glared at her. Mentioning Nayana had made me jumpy, especially since she wasn’t clamped to my side.
No, she was in the fucking palace, right under my grandfather’s nose while I was playing errand faeling.
Acid was burning in my throat at all the dreadful possibilities of how harm could befall her in my absence.
Protect.
Fuck. How could I have left her alone?
Protect.
“Stay, High Prince Dionadair.”
Stopping dead in my tracks, I realized only now that I already stood in front of the tent flap leading outside. That Lasair had called me by my name and title trickled in much later.
Slowly, I relaxed my fists, took a deep breath, and turned around. As if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred, I lowered myself back onto the fur. “Her safety is a touchy subject for me.”
“Your motivation is comprehensible. And your primal side is very strong.” Lasair shifted, her gaze more piercing than before. “Tell me how the two of you met.”
Swiping my forehead with my sleeve to dry off the sweat, I nodded and recounted the entire story.
About my uncle’s dream, how we’d found and rescued Naya, our journey through Ivreia, how we’d discovered what she was, and everything else.
I ended my tale with the summons to Alaiann, the ball, how Galrach was treating and threatening her, and even the event in the Sun Room preceding my mission to visit the Doitean.
“One day more, and we would’ve been gone. ”
My magic was twitchy as fuck, and to stop my darkness from spilling over or even taking control required all of my concentration. My clothes were dripping with sweat and clinging to my body, and the power struggle didn’t help to regulate my temperature.
Finally, I’d wrestled my magic back into an uneasy submission, but I was so exhausted that I saw stars.
And I couldn’t shake the feeling that Lasair knew exactly what I was going through.
“The Doitean will support you. I’ll have someone build a perfect replica of our firestone, imitating its signature energy. This should fool the mad tyrant long enough for you and your beloved to escape to safety.”
“If crafting a copy is a possibility—I believe such a deception would work. At least for a while, until he figures out that whatever effect he desires isn’t coming to pass.”
“Be our honored guest during the time our jewelsmith requires to craft the gem. We have a tent for visitors you can use to rest. Although we haven’t received outsiders in many, many winters, the Doitean are always prepared to uphold hospitality.
Also, you’re invited to join our banquet tonight.
” Lasair paused for a short moment, then raised her eyebrow.
“There’s no reason to scowl, High Prince.
Creating a believable copy entails work.
Also, apologies for being rude, but you’re enervated. Rest will do you good.”
Sadly, she was correct. The exhaustion had settled deep into every inch of me, and when I thought of the prospect of riding another week through the flaming planes of punishment, bile rose in my throat.
Of course, I had to be back at my female’s side as soon as possible, but if I burned to a crisp—
Well, that wouldn’t help either her or me.
Gods, I’d done the impossible. I’d swayed the Doitean from wanting to kill me to helping me.
I might not have stopped them from hating me or considered I could achieve such a feat during my lifetime, but a shaky ceasefire was better than them trying to purge me from the face of the worlds.
“Your hospitality is acknowledged, welcomed, and accepted, Head Chieftain Lasair. And please call me Dion. I never felt a need for any honorifics. It’s all window dressing anyway. ”
“If that’s your wish, Dion. Then, in return, call me Lasair. No titles shall exist between us.”
The spark of pride blossomed in my chest. Had I really succeeded in using diplomacy? The one thing I’d always believed I sucked at? Huh. Seemed as if I’d underestimated myself the entire time. How peculiar.
“Let me show you to your accommodations. Someone will bring refreshments, bathwater, and new clothes for you. Your stallion will also be well cared for.”
Getting up to my feet, I nodded, still full of satisfaction. “Lead the way, Lasair.”