Chapter 10 #3
Theron hopped onto his loper and rode back to the edge of the Colonnades. There, the Viridians had formed ranks, as had the clerics of Passion and Knowledge.
“Myrina, Aurora, come. We must speak.”
Myrina conferred with Aurora and Leukos. She approached with her paladins and a number of Viridian soldiers. It hurt his heart that even she doubted him.
“You had best have an excellent explanation for this, Your Majesty,” Myrina said coldly.
Aurora gripped the reins of her loper, her fists trembling as her eyes glared daggers. Leukos angled himself to protect her at all times, his eyes watchful.
“When Batea heard that Queen Flora possesses the magic of a soul-swapper, she assumed my uncharacteristic behaviour—ordering her beasts destroyed, marrying a Viridian princess, travelling with a Viridian army—were the actions of an imposter,” Theron replied, every fibre of his being keenly aware of every breath and twitch Aurora made in response.
Would she believe him? Or would she forever doubt his every word?
“She acted according to the belief that I was either dead or detained. She has since realized the error of her ways and kissed my ring. We ready to depart to Altanus.”
“How very neat and tidy,” Aurora sneered. “And how do you explain Drakon’s existence here? She rides him as if he were a loper and it doesn’t look like she’s readying herself to slaughter him. Neither do you, for that matter.”
“Given Batea only created Drakon a month ago, she and I aren’t the only ones who need to explain ourselves,” Theron retorted.
“It cannot be true that Drakon both destroyed your homeland before you arrived in Trisia, and that the beast was created a month ago. My cousin, at least, has never once lied to or betrayed me.”
“You expect me to believe that?” Aurora asked.
“Whether you believe it or not is immaterial. Despite your obvious deceit, I am still willing to discuss what becomes of the beast with you once we return to Altanus. My kingdom needs me and I intend to return today. If you plan to arrive at my side, we need to discuss which beasts we’ll be flying—Drakon or the eagles—and organise ourselves accordingly.
Batea has enough beasts to carry all of Passion’s people, my retainers, and a few more.
As a show of good faith, I’ll allow you to decide who among your number you wish to bring along. ”
“If you’d wanted to show good faith, you’d decapitate that monster this instant!” Aurora’s white-knuckled fists shook as they held the reins of her loper. The beast stomped its hooves, reacting to its rider’s anger.
“Until I regain control of my court, I cannot kill my kingdom’s greatest military asset and expect my people to believe I haven’t been soul-swapped with one of Flora’s dogs.
The sooner I return, the sooner we can discuss what comes next.
You’re welcome to arrive in Altanus on foot if you prefer, but the journey will take several days. ”
“You smug, self-serving, bas—”
“Your Highness.” Leukos pulled Aurora aside and whispered in her ear.
The longer she listened, the colder her expression.
Fear squeezed Theron’s heart. All the progress he’d made in his relationship with her had been wiped clean.
All the strides he’d taken to trust her again after her first betrayal and now he feared her mind was beyond saving.
Before him was the Aurora who had greeted him the morning after their wedding with a blade to his throat.
“Very well. I will arrive alongside you on the eagles, but I demand you make room for every Viridian noble, six of Leukos’ best soldiers, and Orithyia. You will also vow to compensate me for your lies regarding Drakon.”
Theron’s jaw clenched. She wanted that vile snake of a high priestess to accompany her. After everything the horrid bitch had done to her? To Theron?
“Showing your true colours, my darling wife?” he asked, his temper getting the better of him. He regretted it the moment it left his lips.
“I wore yours and all I’ve been rewarded with are more lies,” Aurora retorted.
Fury took control of his tongue.
“I saved your life!”
“And now you put the lives of every Trisian in peril. So make room for my people and make your vow!” she shouted, angry tears threatening. Leukos put a hand on her shoulder, and she clenched her jaw, breathing to calm herself.
Theron glared at that hand and at Leukos. The commander returned the look, only removing his hand after Aurora had fully composed herself once again. Ugly possessiveness burned through him.
“Theron,” Myrina reprimanded him. “Trisian peace must come first.”
He sighed.
“As you wish. I will make room for your Viridians and ready myself to compensate you for the existence of Drakon. Come along.”
To no one’s surprise, none of the Viridians dared ride Drakon.
Theron was left to ride the flying serpent with Batea and most of his soldiers.
Even the most doubtful courtiers would think twice to see him riding Batea’s most fearsome beast with her at his side.
Whatever was most expedient to silence rumours he’d been soul-swapped, so that he could retake his throne with minimal doubts.
Unfortunately, such subtleties of statecraft were unlikely to endear him to his wife.
They soared above the trade road and the Dragon’s Spine Mountains, leaving the bulk of both armies to march back to Altanus. The bite of the cold air was bracing.
“Did she really tell you my beast could breathe fire and throw molten boulders down from the sky?” Batea asked.
“I saw it in a recollection she showed me using a mind’s eye stone. And there can be no mistaking it—Drakon bears her beast’s exact likeness. She even told me its name.”
Batea was quiet for a time.
“Do you know what the old stories say of oracles, Cousin?”
“That they are exceptional liars?” he grunted.
“That they’re prone to madness.”
His heart clenched in his chest. If even Batea thought so… Before he could protest, she continued.
“I believe you that she can see the future. You’re not one to fall for a trick like that, no matter how well-constructed, so if you say she’s shown you future events, I believe you.
If my beast will be used to destroy Aureum or Trisia, then I’ll put it down myself.
” She sighed. “But only if you also consider that the destruction of your foreign fairy wife’s homeland might have driven her mad, blending her visions of the future with the horrors of her past.”
The thought made him sick. Not even he could cure such a thing. Despair threatened to consume him.
No. She’s my fated. I was always meant to find her.
Myrina had said if Fate had tied their threads, there was a reason for it.
Perhaps this was a chance to find that purpose anew.
No one had ever cured madness before, but if his wife suffered from it, then he would be the first. There was no other choice.
The alternative was simply too dark to contemplate.
But if she would allow him within spitting distance to attempt to treat her was another matter entirely.
Perhaps Leukos could be convinced of his cause, provided he was given the right incentives.
Epicasta had mentioned that if he promised to send soldiers to pacify the Dragon’s Tail Mountains, the commander could be won over.