Chapter Thirty Nine #2
‘Your power is mighty yet ruinous,’ she said coldly, as if she read the thoughts in his eyes.
‘I have seen firsthand what destruction those flaming hands can bring. I am not eager to see it again.’ She stood, and with a flick of magic, opened the door.
Ruven and Bryran re-entered, the former’s wings flaring menacingly.
‘Your fate shall be decided soon, Gedeon, at the Four Mothers’ mercy.
In the meantime, might I suggest going back to not talking?
Subordination would do you well until that judgement day comes. ’
As the Eternal warriors flanked him, their hands gripping the tops of his arms to carry him back to his ice cell, Gedeon hissed, ‘Wait.’
The healer looked at him, eyebrows raised.
‘The woman I came with,’ Gedeon said, throat tight. If he were to survive the ice cell again, he had to know- ‘Is she alive?’
She stared at him as though debating whether to even give him an answer. But then she gave a short, ‘Yes.’
It was all Gedeon needed.
???
Naal.
The Zarynthian sentry had not yet spoken.
A wine-coloured braid hung over her left shoulder, and though she was clad in the thick wools and furs of Phaenon’s people, her freckle peppered face had the striking fierceness of a true fireling.
Naal had been back home for less than a day.
Kawai was thankfully stable and in Maida’s capable hands.
Zuriel had whisked Kyra and Kano away at Naal’s request, to feed them an adequate meal and force them to get some rest, after Maida had healed Kyra’s ankle.
The journey from Wehyna had been long and unpleasant, and though Naal knew Kyra was unwilling to leave Kawai’s side, her fatigue far surpassed her stubbornness, and she had followed Zuriel without too much complaint, tonic in hand to speed up the recovery from the mer’s attack.
Less than a day. Yet there was no rest to be had for Naal.
Whilst Maida tended to Prince Gedeon in preparation for his impending trial, there was someone else Naal needed to meet with.
And she was sitting opposite her now in the small Council Room, silent and patiently waiting for Naal to open the conversation.
Smart woman.
‘Are you well, Sunsi?’
The fireling’s eyes narrowed slightly, as if unsure of the genuinity of the question. ‘I am,’ she said. Her voice was lower than Naal expected, and thick with Zarynthian dialect. ‘Thanks to Maida. She is a great healer. I owe my life to her.’
‘That she is,’ Naal murmured her agreement. ‘And that you do. I wonder though, was my Second right in saving you? My Third certainly does not think so.’
To her credit, Sunsi’s strong chin did not dip. ‘I am valuable to you, Air Warden. As is… my companion. I hope you and I can establish a trust that will allow you to see that.’
Naal leant forward, unable to keep the slight bite in her voice as she said, ‘You are aware, I am sure, that your companion destroyed Phaenon city and all its people mere months ago? Forgive me if I am slow to believe his apparent change of heart.’
Sunsi’s hazel eyes flickered then. ‘I know what he has done to your people. But the attack on Phaenon was nothing more than a son following his mother’s orders.
Following his duty.’ She swallowed. ‘I was there the day Empress Azar called him a traitor. Gedeon challenged the order to attack your city, and he withdrew his flames when he realised the order was not just. Gedeon was not the one who destroyed Phaenon. It was Prince Sekun who finished the task set by the Empress.’
‘That task being the massacre of my people, I assume?’ Sunsi did not reply. ‘And why should I blindly believe the word of the woman who captained Empress Azar’s sentries?’ Naal said blandly, her nails drumming the table. Sunsi blinked. ‘Yes, I know who you are, Sunsi.’
‘Respectfully, Air Warden, you don’t,’ said Sunsi brazenly, and there was anger in her voice as she continued, ‘My position is nothing more than a cover, so that I may actually be able to serve my people. Not her. What happened to Phaenon is nothing compared to what the Empress Azar is doing to the people of her own lands. What’s coming for the rest of Droria is merely an extension of the pain she has spent the better part of a hundred years inflicting upon Zarynth. ’
Something stirred in the depths of Naal’s memory. ‘What is your family name?’
Sunsi frowned. ‘Norre.’
Of course. Of course Wymund Norre’s only daughter would carry on his legacy. She had the tenacious intensity of her father before her. Naal said grimly, ‘I knew your father.’
Sunsi’s eyebrows rose with surprise. ‘You did?’
‘He came to me once. You would have been a child then. But Wymund came to me to ask for help. He risked his life for his people, just as you are doing now.’ Naal paused.
Now she had made the connection, the resemblance between father and daughter was uncanny.
‘You lead the Base, don’t you? In your father’s stead? ’
Sunsi’s eyes brightened. ‘I do,’ she said proudly, but then the brightness dimmed. ‘I did.’
‘I denied your father that aid,’ Naal said. ‘I am the Warden of Air, not Fire, and I found myself unwilling to involve myself in the politics of another realm.’
‘But you’re involving yourself now?’ Sunsi probed. ‘Is that because it is your home that has been targeted? Had Phaenon not been attacked, would you be bothering to fight at all?’
It was not a direct accusation, but Naal felt it nonetheless.
‘I am not exempt from mistakes, Sunsi. I have made many in my past and felt the repercussions of my blunders with too much clarity. Denying your father help was not one of them.’ Sunsi’s expression hardened, but Naal continued.
‘Back then I was alone. The Earth Warden line had seemingly ended, the Water Warden was certainly in no position to help me in liberating Zarynth as your father had requested, and the Fire Warden stood firmly on the other side. I am sure you know all too well what great power Empress Azar holds. Had I attempted to dethrone her, I am certain I would have failed, and the deaths that would have amassed would have been for nothing. Had I not been killed in the attempt, I would have been considered the enemy, and her grip on Zarynth would have tightened tenfold.’
‘But you’re the Air Warden,’ Sunsi said earnestly. ‘What power does she have that you don’t?’
‘Her influence, Sunsi Norre,’ Naal said.
‘Venomous lies and manipulation can cause more lasting damage than any destruction my power can inflict.’ Naal cocked her head to one side.
‘I ask you, if you tried to start a revolution in the streets of Dracyg right now, how many citizens would rally to support you? And how many of those citizens would betray you for nothing more than the Empress’ gratification? ’
Sunsi’s shoulders deflated. ‘They’re terrified, that’s why. Terrified to speak out against her.’
‘Easier to remain silent and comply than risk their lives. Thus, she remains unchallenged. She remains in power,’ Naal said.
Sunsi glared at the table as a deep, troubled quiet settled between them.
Naal did not let it last long. ‘This time is different. Azar grows stronger and the threat cannot be ignored. And… I am no longer alone. A new Earth Warden has risen and the lost Water Warden has been found.’
Slowly, Sunsi lifted her gaze. ‘And the Fire Warden?’
Naal did not know the relationship between Wymund Norre’s daughter and the Prince of Fire, but the concern in Sunsi’s eyes was too bold to miss. ‘Do you advocate for Gedeon Dewmaul, Sunsi? Are his intentions true?’
‘I trust Gedeon with my life.’
Naal searched her face for a hint that her claim may be fuelled by blind love.
But there was only truth there. A strong, diplomatic truth.
‘The prince must withstand a trial for his crimes against Nythanor,’ said Naal carefully.
She need not divulge what sort of sentence the Fire Warden would face, should the votes fail to be in his favour.
Though Naal was sure Sunsi had guessed.
A dark shadow befell her face, but she nodded her understanding, however much she may have disliked it.
‘I did not know your father well,’ Naal admitted. ‘But I feel confident in saying that he would have been proud of the woman you have become.’
The answering smile did not reach Sunsi’s eyes.
???
Kyra.
Shrouded in the shadows of the late night, Kyra stalked the temple like a wraith.
She did not rest as Naal had suggested. Had barely even been able to look her in the eye, too afraid that Naal would see right through her. As if she might guess what Kyra planned to do. As if it had been written all over her face.
So she’d let Zuriel whisk her away from Kawai the second they stepped off the Sky Horse. Let Naal deal with whatever the fuck she needed to deal with. Let them all think she was going to sleep off the traumatic events of the tomb.
When in reality… she was ready to strike and steal that which was not hers.
I would never do that to anyone, she’d once told Naal.
Things had been different then. The Eye had been far from her grasp. A thing of impossibility, lost beyond this mortal realm.
Everything had changed in the Four Mother’s tomb, and now-
It was here, in Gallena’s temple. She knew it. Resting unapprehended under Naal’s protection. Hidden from everyone.
Everyone but Kyra.
Naal’s quarters was one of the few places in the temple Kyra hadn’t been, though it wasn’t far from her own room she’d been assigned to. The door itself was just like every other, as bland as the rest, with no inkling that the rooms of the noble pramah lay behind it.
It was there that Kyra paused.
Could she really do this? Not only force her way into Naal’s quarters, but into the Air Warden’s mind? Would Naal ever forgive her for it?
Would she ever forgive herself if she didn’t do it?
How many months had passed since she’d made the bargain with Lilion?
She’d lost count. How many disgusting patrons had Oslan been forced to entertain since she’d safely left Avaldale with Naal?
How many men and women had he unwillingly killed in the pits, all because of that blood-red cross scarred into his chest?
Would Naal have understood, if Kyra had just told her in the first place? Would she have helped her? Or would she have let the bargain fail, knowing that it kept the Eye of the Fifth firmly in her possession?
Kyra braced her hands on the doorframe.
It was too late now anyway. She was ready. And she was not leaving until she got what she came for.
She was alone. As she should have been the whole fucking time. Craving company in her quest had almost gotten Kawai killed. She wouldn’t make the same mistake again.
The lone wolf, prowling once more.
Taking a silent breath, Kyra pushed open the door and stepped inside.