CHAPTER 47 - War Council
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Briarvex's whispers had not ceased for the entire journey back from the shipyard. His promises and demands had slithered into every thought, every breath, until I wanted to rip my own head from my neck just to get some quiet.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity spent on the floor, the whispers dulled.
The world became silent again.
I leaned back against the wall, inhaling deeply. The thought of being back in the capital, of finally seeing Raine again, crept into my mind. I chuckled softly, imagining the scowl she would no doubt throw at me. Somehow, that image soothed me more than anything ever had.
Already feeling steadier, I rose to my feet, picked up the discarded crown, and set it back where it belonged.
I stripped off my travel-worn cloak and changed into fresh attire — my armed uniform, dark and brimming with thorn-like accents.
After fixing the clasp of my cape and securing Briarvex across my back, I stepped out again.
"Summon the war council," I ordered my attendant. "Everyone with a seat at the table is to attend. And call for the Beast Warden as well."
The man bowed and hurried off as I strode toward the war chamber.
It wasn't long before Chamberlain Feldor scurried into view, wringing his hands like a worried mother hen. I stifled a groan. My month away had blessed me with a reprieve from his constant whining, but of course, the peace could not last.
"Your Majesty," Feldor nearly sobbed as he caught up, "please, I beg of you, stop this nonsense. There is barely any time until the war!"
I arched a brow.
"What nonsense?"
He groaned, wiping at his eyes.
"You know exactly what I mean! I was so very relieved when I heard you had finally returned to your imperial duties last month. But then... then I heard what the women had endured during your visits!" His voice cracked. "I wept for hours!"
I rolled my eyes.
"You make it sound as though I tortured them."
"Torture?" Feldor exclaimed. "You may as well have! The concubines are there to provide an heir, Sire. Not to be challenged to a game of King's Square and then left abandoned when they lost!"
I chuckled at his genuine horror.
"It would do the empire no good if my heir were born of a woman without a keen mind. I simply wished to find one worthy."
Feldor's lips trembled.
"Your Majesty... you're too cruel. Far too cruel. What woman, no, what man, in this fortress could ever hope to defeat you at King's Square?"
I laughed at the irony.
The very person who so rudely wagered for me to endure the rest of my nights with everyone except her, I wanted to answer him. Luckily, she only stated I was to visit the other concubines. She'd made no demands about bedding them.
I smiled at the thought of her.
How could she call me a tyrant when she herself were no better?
"Your Majesty..." Feldor whimpered. "Please tell me you'd see to your duties this time..."
"I am busy right now, Chamberlain. Perhaps another time."
With a flick of my hand, I dismissed him and pushed open the towering doors of the war chamber.
The war chamber fell silent as I entered. The scent of steel and parchment filled the air. Around the blackwood table, carved with the full map of Fayndor, my generals and captains stood rigid, bowing as one. I strode to the head of the table, Ser Bastian stepping to my right like a shadow.
My gaze swept over the carved surface, tracing the borders of Thornmont's empire. Small iron markers littered the map, representing my forces poised across the north, ready to march south.
"We may begin," I said.
And one by one, my commanders spoke.
"The Blacksteele forges are running day and night," Bastian reported smoothly. "Every soldier will march with a blade worthy of Thornmont."
I smiled at the news.
"I'm glad your uncle came around."
Next came the infantry captain, his voice full of pride.
"The latest draft added twenty thousand to our ranks, Your Majesty. That brings our total to four hundred thousand foot soldiers."
A satisfactory number.
"Good work," I said.
The cavalry captain stepped forward next, armor gleaming under the ivy draped chandeliers.
"Fifty thousand riders stand ready, Your Majesty. One thousand unicorns have been bred for war too. With continued efforts, another five thousand could be raised in three years."
I nodded as the information settled in my mind. Everything was aligning almost exactly as I had envisioned.
Almost...
If only I'd managed to get my hands on a kraken or a sea beast...
The doors to the chamber suddenly groaned open and everyone turned to look as Princess Raine stepped through.
A strange flutter thrashed within my chest at the sight of her.
Her steps were light, but they carried a confidence that could not be ignored. The generals exchanged wary glances, their eyes narrowing as they tried to discern what business a concubine had here.
But Raine didn't even flinch.
Her gaze found mine across the room. For a brief moment, the air between us shifted, a silent exchange sparking. Then she looked away, moving to stand among the men as though everyone here was beneath her.
I could see the question on everyone's face, though none dared voice it.
Because of it.
Perched on her shoulder, the twisted black bird tilted its head unnaturally, blinking its reflective blue eyes at us. Even with its beak closed, its dozens of teeth protruded out as though it didn't have enough space.
Everyone in the chamber knew exactly what that creature was.
And none dared offend the princess in fear of the vylnir's wrath.
I smiled as I watched the generals shift uncomfortably, before I refocused on the meeting.
"I visited the shipyards during my absence," I announced, my voice carrying through the chamber.
"The progress is slow on rebuilding. There are not enough men to collect the timber required, not with the draft draining the workforce.
It would take two years to regain the fleet.
" I exhaled slowly, tracing my finger along the southern coasts.
"Therefore, we'll fully focus on a land assault. "
The naval commander shifted uneasily.
"Your Majesty... this is not wise. Driftwoode's strength lies in its waters."
"I am not wasting any more time." My tone silenced him. "Come spring, we march."
The commander inclined his head, and I pressed on, confirming every detail already set in motion. Siege weapons were complete and ready for transportation. Armies had gathered. Supplies were stockpiled. And everything was prepared, save for the ships.
Finally, my gaze returned to her.
"Princess Raine."
She stiffened slightly before looking my way.
"You will serve a vital role," I said.
Her chin lifted, but I could see the slight tension in her shoulders.
"When we lay siege to Driftwoode's walls, you will command the vylnir to fly into the city. Once inside..." My smile sharpened. "...you will have it shift into the creature I showed you."
Her gray eyes widened.
Good.
It seems she remembers.
"You mean... I'll be traveling with you for the war?" she asked.
"Of course," I replied.
She swallowed, nodding reluctantly.
Satisfied, I turned back to the map, placing a silver marker near Driftwoode's fleet.
"Without my ships, the griffons will handle Driftwoode's navy. One of the surviving vessels will escort them closer before I take command of them."
The men nodded their understanding, no further objections raised.
With that, the meeting concluded. The generals and captains filed out, bowing as they went. Raine aimed to leave as well, but I quickly grabbed her arm. She glanced back at me, her stormy eyes swimming with emotions I had no grasp on.
For a second, I could only stare at her.
Then a sharp caw broke the tension.
The vylnir shifted its form slightly, wings twitching as it bared its rows of teeth at me. I chuckled, releasing Raine's arm and taking a step back.
"What do you want?" she asked.
Ah.
My dearest storm is always so cold.
"Are you confident in your mastery of the creature?" I asked instead.
She faltered, glancing at the vylnir perched on her shoulder.
"I... don't know if it can transform into something so large," she murmured.
I nodded slowly.
"We'll test it before the time comes."
She gave a small nod, eyes shifting away from mine again.
That wouldn't do.
I stepped to the side, circling until she was forced to meet my gaze.
"Why do you seem so saddened?" I asked.
She scoffed, folding her arms.
"I'm fine."
I grinned.
"Did you miss me?"
Her lips pressed together.
She seemed to weigh her response carefully before finally muttering, "I did."
A laugh burst from my chest, genuine and unrestrained.
She still hated me. That much was certain. But beneath the ice of her tone, there was something else. Something raw and conflicting that I knew was buried within her.
I wanted to see more of that truth she was hiding from herself. No, I needed to. I wished she could at last be away with these chains she had around her heart.
And accept me.
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I groaned slightly at Briarvex worming his way in again.
"I'll unfortunately not be able to complete our wager," I said at last.
Raine's eyes narrowed slightly.
"What do you mean?"
"With only two weeks until the war, I'll be far too busy to waste time visiting concubines."
She gave the smallest nod, as if she'd expected as much.
I cleared my throat.
"However, since you're my Beast Warden..." I continued. "I'll require your presence in my chambers for a while. To discuss tactics of course."
A mocking laugh burst from her.
"Tactics? I doubt these 'tactics' of yours, Your Majesty."
I grinned, unfazed by her tone.
"Well that's too bad, because it's an imperial command."
She glowered at me, eyes stormy as always.
Gods, I adored that look.
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I was quite pleased with myself for deciding to have dinner served in my chambers tonight. It felt almost domestic. The way the firelight softened the room... The intimacy without a throng of servants...
I cut into my food with a wide smile, the knife glinting in the light, and glanced up at Raine across from me. She was eating calmly, seemingly at ease, though I knew better.
"How have you been in my absence?" I asked, my tone light. "The snow is beginning to melt. The cold shouldn't be as harsh anymore."
She shrugged.
"I'll miss the snow."
After picking a bone clean, she tossed it to the floor. The vylnir, in its wolfish form, snapped it up with a crunch. Its reflective eyes locked on me as it chewed, as if imagining my bones in its maw instead.
I offered the beast a small smile.
It growled low in its throat.
"The vylnir will likely never warm up to me," I said with a sigh.
"You captured it, imprisoned it, and tried to break its will," Raine replied without looking up. "Of course it hates you."
I hummed, leaning back in my chair.
"And yet it's so friendly toward you. Is it really because you speak Elvish? Perhaps you could teach me after all."
She scoffed.
"I can barely speak it myself. I'm no teacher."
I sighed at that.
Soon after, we finished dinner peacefully. As much as I longed to challenge her to another round of King's Square, there truly was too much work to be done.
"You may relax while I work," I said, taking my seat behind the desk.
Raine nodded but relaxing seemed the last thing she intended to do. She paced the room like a caged bird. Then finally, she plucked a book from my shelf and sprawled across my bed, her hair spilling over the pillows as she immersed herself in the pages.
The vylnir, as restless as its mistress, circled the room several times before curling on the rug next to her, eyes on me.
"Are you working or staring?" Raine asked in deadpan, still reading her book.
I chuckled under my breath.
"No need to worry so much over me, my dear. I'll work."
She rolled her eyes, flipping a page, and I smiled to myself.
How I loved having her here...
Alas, she was right.
Time drifted on, quiet but for the soft crackle of the fire and the scratch of my quill.
The candles burned low, wax pooling in silver holders.
Every so often, I allowed myself the smallest glance at her.
And eventually, when I looked again, the book had slipped from her hands, her lashes resting against her cheeks as her breathing evened.
Asleep.
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
I scowled but Raine didn't stir.
Careful not to wake her, I quietly rose and crossed to the door.
When I opened it, Isolde stood framed in the corridor's torchlight, her crimson hair cascading over the black silk of her gown. Her smile was sweet, practiced, and a little brittle.
"I hadn't had a chance to greet you today..." she said.
"I've been busy," I replied.
She pouted.
"You didn't even let me travel with you this time... I missed you."
"I was handling confidential matters," I sighed.
"You know my loyalty is to you," she pressed. "I'm the last person who would betray you."
"I know," I said evenly, "but still."
Her expression softened.
"I forgive you..." she said. "Perhaps I could relieve some of your worries tonight?"
"Only if you think you can beat me at King's Square," I grinned.
Her green eyes narrowed, and she folded her arms.
"You played a cruel trick on your concubines, My Love. Since when do you need your women to play such games?"
"If that's all you're here for, my lady," I said, "you should leave. I'm busy."
She pouted again, her eyes pleading.
"Fine, then I won't bother you. I swear it. I'll just keep you company—"
She aimed to enter, but stopped abruptly.
Her eyes fell on Raine, who lay curled on my bed, her book abandoned beside her.
Silence hung between us.
I could feel the anger radiating from Isolde like heat.
I knew my first bride far too well by now.
She'd been by my side for ten years and for a long while was praised as the court's favorite to become empress.
She certainly resembled the late empress enough to fill the role.
And for a long time, I thought it would be her too.
So, despite everything, I had no joy seeing that faint shimmer of tears in her eyes.
She wiped them away quickly, masking the hurt with a brittle chuckle.
"I apologize," she murmured.
Looking down, she exhaled, then met my eyes again.
"I've been a jealous woman all my life," she admitted quietly. "And not the most humble or patient either. But my feelings toward you are sincere. I love you, Sylvos. I would give my life for you."
Her hand trembled slightly as she pointed toward Raine.
"But that woman... I can smell the bloodlust from her. She will kill you, My Love. I swear it on my life."
I exhaled slowly, rubbing my forehead.
Her words were earnest; I could hear the tremor in her voice.
But there was no proof of her claims.
"I beg you," Isolde whispered, "if you really can't let her go, at least don't be blind. See the dagger for what it is... Before it is too late."
I sighed deeply and nodded.
"I'll be careful, my lady."
That seemed to comfort her. A small, sad smile touched her lips.
"Thank you," she said, then curtsied gracefully and bid me a goodnight.
I closed the door and let my gaze fall on Raine again. She lay on my bed, her breathing soft, her dark hair tangled around her.
Was Isolde right?
Was I keeping someone close who longed to kill me?
It didn't make sense...
No assassin would wear their hatred so openly.
I walked over slowly, watching her troubled face. Her brows knitted even in sleep, as if she fought some unseen battle. Moving to the opposite side of the vylnir, I crouched beside the bed and reached out despite myself. My finger traced the curve of her cheek where a single tear had escaped.
What monster haunted her dreams?
My hand drifted lower, brushing against the scar barely visible above the neckline of her gown.
Unable to resist, I slid the book from her hand and set it aside. Carefully, I tucked the blanket around her before undressing and easing onto the bed behind her.
As soon as my arms wrapped around her waist, her body seemed to relax, the tension leaving her shoulders. I held her closer, pressing my forehead lightly against her hair. Whenever I held her like this, the world felt right.
Like all was well.
And with that thought, I drifted to sleep as well.
That night, there were no nightmares.
Only a strange vision.
I stood before a silver mirror shrouded in overgrown ivy. The mirror was nicked and tarnished; dirt caked all over it from years of being forgotten in this cave.
I wiped at the surface with my hand and saw my own reflection staring back at me.
What was this dream?
I stepped closer, trying to make sense of it. But before I could understand, the dream slipped away like mist, leaving only the feeling of something lost just beyond reach.
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