Chapter 21
Petra
I told Adorex, Obitus, and Gehenna to fly far enough into the desert and away from the city so no one could see them lounging in the early evening sunlight. Last thing we needed was for someone to see a driva snoozing belly-up and think they were anything less than mortally terrifying.
Cal, Miles, and I stood in the antechamber just outside a dining room — a different dining room than the one Adorex blew to pieces.
We’d been invited to dine with King Laion and Queen Irli tonight, but not before we’d been shown to a suite in the Araqinan castle complete with a sitting room, two bedrooms, and a blissfully lukewarm bath that felt nothing short of divine after today’s heat.
“Remember,” Cal murmured in my ear. “You are the rightful Queen of Astran. You are the Daughter of fucking Katia and Rhedros. ”
The high I’d felt after demanding to speak with King Laion had worn away, the adrenaline dissolving like it had never been there in the first place. I was back to wringing my hands and second guessing, well, everything.
I closed my eyes, repeating Cal’s words back to him. “I am the rightful Queen of Astran and the Daughter of Katia and Rhedros.”
“You could blow this castle to pieces on a whim.” He squeezed my hip, sending a chill racing up my spine. My back straightened its wake.
“I could blow this castle to pieces on a whim.”
Cal nodded, a determined set to his jaw. “Make sure they remember it.”
And with a final breath, we pushed through the doors.
“Ah, Queen Petra,” Queen Irli greeted, lowering her head in my direction as she stood before her seat at one end of the large dining table.
Her expression was far more cheerful than I would’ve expected, her deep brown eyes twinkling and the apples of her cheeks rosy.
Not the look of a queen whose kingdom had been nearly attacked just hours ago. “Thank you for joining us.”
King Laion did not deign to stand for our entrance. His lips were twisted and downturned, his dark brows furrowed over even darker eyes as he watched us move into the room.
“Thank you for having us,” I answered politely as Cal pulled out one of the gold-framed, upholstered chairs for me. He lowered himself onto the seat beside mine, and Miles found his seat on the other side of the table.
I swore Laion mumbled something under his breath as we all settled in. Irli’s eyes caught on Miles, and they widened for a split second before she cleared her throat. “Do you find your accommodations sufficient?” she asked.
“They’re perfect, thank you.” This felt awkward. I shifted in my seat, giving Irli a small smile .
Luckily, I didn’t have to think of any more small talk, because a line of servants filed through a door at the back of the dining room.
They placed a large plate before each of us, laden with meats and potatoes and some sort of roasted green vegetable I didn’t recognize.
Another servant brought forth a bottle of wine, and I eyed him as he moved around the table, pouring into the goblets set at each of our settings.
I speared my fork through a chunk of roasted potato, an awkward silence falling heavy and thick.
Queen Irli’s eyes were on Miles once again.
Miles’ eyes, however, were trained on his plate before him.
King Laion stared straight at me, hands steepled below his chin, his fork still laid on the table beside his plate.
I let him stare, taking a sip of my wine without breaking his eye contact once.
“So,” I said, dabbing the corner of my mouth with my napkin. “Shall we discuss military aid?”
“It’s customary to wait until after we’ve all dined to discuss any military matters,” King Laion snapped.
Frustration nipped at me, but I managed to keep a saccharine smile on my face. “Apologies, King Laion. I’m not well-versed in the customs of kingdoms that call me a liar and…what was the other term in Nesan’s response?”
Cal forwent his wine, instead taking a sip from his water goblet. “I believe it was a crazed lunatic , your Majesty.”
“Ah, yes. That was it. Thank you for reminding me. So, please pardon my manners. Facing a battle against a demon lord has indeed made me just a smidge crazed.”
Queen Irli leaned forward. “Please forgive my husband, your Majesty. He and Cabillia have a…strained past, which he’s allowed to damage his view of the entire continent of Astran.”
“Because you fucked the Cabillian king.”
Cal choked on his water, descending into a cough that took effort to rein in. Even Miles pursed his lips and raised his brows, but Queen Irli seemed more or less unfazed, and flashed an apologetic smile. “Dear, there are more pressing matters at hand.”
Laion sucked his teeth, shooting his wife a glare that made her sink back into her seat. “We wait until the meal is done.”
I raised a brow at the plate that still sat untouched in front of the king, wondering how long he was going to drag this out.
“Do you think Malosym would wait for you to clear your plate, your Majesty?” I asked, cutting a piece of the beef before placing it in my mouth.
I chewed, keeping my eyes narrowed on him.
“I think he’d wait if he knew–”
“He wouldn’t,” I cut in, taking a deep gulp of wine before I sat back in my chair.
“Tell me, King Laion, do you know the source of Malosym’s power?
” No one knew the answer to that question besides Malosym, the Occulti, and the Saints.
Perhaps I should’ve included it in the missives I’d hastily scrawled and all but thrown into the wind.
Laion’s jaw ground back and forth. “I have a feeling you’re going to tell me.”
“Pain.” I straightened slowly, keeping my eyes locked on his. He didn’t look away, though I swore his face paled the slightest bit. “Malosym and the Occulti feed on pain. The more pain they cause, the stronger they become, and the more Occulti demons Malosym can create.”
The King’s lips parted, and for the first time since we sat down, I thought maybe we were making progress. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Queen Irli shift in her seat, leaning closer to the table.
I pressed my fingertips into the crimson tablecloth, sinking my teeth into this tiny show of fear.
“He doesn’t care about the quarrel you have with another kingdom.
He’s coming for us all, whether we fight or not.
Should we simply lie down and let him ravage the realm, or should we do everything in our power to give ourselves even the slightest chance of victory? ”
For a moment, it seemed like my words had resonated with him, but he quickly pulled his walls back up. His features hardened, his dark eyes pinning me in place in a way that felt strangely familiar. I fought the urge to look away as his lip twitched almost imperceptibly.
“I simply cannot look past the fact that you sent the entire city into mayhem and panic by flying in on your massive beasts.”
“You called me a crazed lunatic. Forgive me for acting the part.”
He huffed, grumbling something under his breath as his hands slammed onto the armrests of his chair. “Fine, then. Let’s discuss military aid.”
This man reeked of arrogance. But he’d shown fear. Only a flash of it, a momentary lapse in his distrusting, rough facade, but fear all the same. He feared a future where Malosym was victorious.
I could do this.
“Katia and Rhedros have been imprisoned by Malosym. I am no expert in military strategy, but I do know I need the entirety of your military as well as any civilians willing to fight.”
His eyes widened so much I was shocked they didn’t fall right out of his head and roll onto the table. “Are you out of your Saints damned mind?”
“The Saints aren’t the ones who are going to damn us. It’s going to be Malosym. I need every possible person I can get if we want any chance of stopping him.”
He glared at me, his chin jutting forward and nostrils flaring.
I glared right back, then decided to take advantage of his silence.
“Don’t think I didn’t see the terror on your face when Adorex landed in front of you.
You were two breaths away from pissing your pants.
” He straightened, outrage sending a red flush from his cheeks to his neck.
“And I command these drivas. Imagine the terror you’d feel facing down an Occulti driva commanded by Malosym.
” As quickly as the red had risen in his face, it drained .
Queen Irli’s hands flew over her mouth, her eyes wide as saucers. “Does he have drivas?”
My mouth was a thin line as I looked to Cal.
He leaned forward, staring down Laion. “We encountered an unknown driva over the Widow’s Sea,” he started.
“It attacked us, and Katia’s drivas managed to take it down.
We believe it was created by Malosym. The Occulti can take on any form, but it should take a considerable amount of power to conjure a driva.
If he has that power now…” Cal didn’t finish, letting the unfinished sentence hang in the air.
Miles straightened, staring King Laion directly in the eye. He paused for just a moment, inhaling deeply as if it would make the words easier to say. “He’s getting stronger.”
I nodded gravely. “We have all five of Katia’s drivas.
Three here and two in Taitha. We have command of the kelpies and soulhags, as well.
We have a small army made up of both trained soldiers and civilians who answered my call.
And we have me and my powers, but I’m still learning their extent and how to control them.
” I took a deep breath, letting the words settle over the table.
“Malosym has the Occulti and a bottomless well of power.”
Laion remained silent. Seconds felt like hours as he continued tapping his finger against the table. When he finally spoke, just enough raw worry strained his voice to break through the practiced exterior of a cold king. “You truly think he will return?”
“I know he will return. It’s a matter of when, not if.”
“And you plan to free Katia and Rhedros?” he asked.
“I do.”
“How?”
“I’m working on that part.”
A deep inhale preceded a nod. “Very well. I will arrange a meeting with our military officials tomorrow.”
I nodded, releasing the breath I’d been holding for too long. Cal’s foot brushed against mine under the table .
“Thank you, King Laion.” One country down, dozens to go. The prospect was daunting, but at least we had something, and something was better than nothing. “We’ll depart tomorrow after the meeting.”
Queen Irli’s brows lifted, her mouth popping open. “Depart? To where?”
“The next kingdom on our list is Eddena,” I said. “We’re planning on flying into every capital city–”
“And terrorizing their citizens with your drivas?” King Laion cut in, his brows furrowed. The fear and humility he’d shown just seconds ago was gone. “That will do nothing but create widespread panic as words travels. Not to mention how long it will take you.”
Helplessness surged in my chest. I had no control over the distance between countries. I had no control over how long it would take. I squared my jaw, doubling down on our plan even though it felt impossible. “Do you have a better idea?” I asked, hoping I sounded doubtful.
King Laion was silent, but Queen Irli seemed to burst to life beside him. “A ball,” she offered, her voice far too loud and far too excited.
Cal raised a brow, a sharp exhale leaving his nostrils. “My apologies. But, a ball?”
He was right. A ball seemed trivial at best, and a massive waste of time at worst. The clock was ticking.
“It’s the perfect way to get the leaders of every kingdom in one place,” Queen Irli prattled, nodding her head frantically. “They all love any excuse to show off their wealth. The timeline will be tight, but we can have it arranged in two weeks.”
“Two weeks?” I blurted, far too loud. “Malosym is building up his power as we speak. We don’t have that kind of time.”
“Going from kingdom to kingdom will take you months,” Laion said, his tone short.
My mouth opened and closed. Two weeks here in Araqina, sitting on our asses, waiting on the leaders of other kingdoms to bless us with their presence.
A load of bullshit. But I could either shovel that bullshit myself or dress it up in gold and finery and wait for the other kings and queens to come shovel it with me.
“Pardon me, your Majesty,” Miles said quietly in my direction, his voice even more gravelly than usual.
Was this the first time he’d spoken all evening?
“I believe two weeks will work just fine.” I narrowed my eyes at him.
As if sensing my internal questioning, he continued on.
“I agree with King Laion. Two weeks is a hell of a lot better than months.”
His eyes immediately found his plate again. I pushed the uneasy feeling in my gut aside. Cal’s foot found mine again, nudging against it in a silent show of solidarity. Where I went, he went, and I knew that was true. I knew he’d follow me anywhere.
“Okay,” I said on an exasperated sigh. “I suppose we don’t have much of a choice.”
Queen Irli clapped her hands together. How could she be so excited? Did she not hear a single word I’d said?
“Until then, you are welcome here as our guests,” King Laion said apprehensively.
“Oh, please do make yourselves at home and feel free to explore the castle,” Queen Irli gushed.
Laion growled under his breath, balling up his napkin.
“There’s a lovely swimming pool in the east garden and a menagerie just outside the south wing.
Oh! And an extensive library on the ground floor.
” She opened her mouth to continue, but it snapped shut as Laion hit her with a nasty glare.
Wasn’t a fan of libraries, I guessed. Or maybe he just wasn’t a fan of people in his home.
“A library?” Miles asked, a spark of something in his eyes I’d only seen in Aera, when we came across the bookshop.
Queen Irli glanced at her husband, asking for silent permission to speak again. “Maybe there will be something that can help you,” she offered quietly. “There are thousands upon thousands of books. ”
“Thank you,” I said, nodding to them both. I raised my goblet of wine in King Laion’s direction. “A toast to you, King Laion, for your outstanding hospitality.”