Chapter Nine – Mira
Chapter Nine
Mira
‘This was a mistake,’ I said, hesitating outside the banquet hall.
Cassius folded his arms. He was dressed in a gold-trimmed tunic, and seeing him outfitted in such a courtly fashion didn’t help my nerves. ‘You’ve faced worse than this. Remember the day we met? When I escorted you to the great hall to be introduced to the Ravalian Court?’
‘How could I forget?’ I muttered through gritted teeth. It had been hours after I’d watched my mother murdered, and it had been all I could do not to attack Emperor Kalias in front of the hundreds of lords and ladies in attendance.
‘Well, there you have it,’ Cassius said. ‘I’m sure you’ll do fine. Though it might have been wise to practise beforehand, if you’re this worried about playing politics.’
‘I’m not worried about politics,’ I snapped. ‘I’m worried about walking in with you .’
‘Ah.’ Cassius shrugged, irritatingly blasé. ‘I did wonder about that. But it’s too late to change your strategy now.’
Infuriating. He was utterly infuriating .
‘Try not to embarrass me tonight,’ I said sideways to Cassius, and after taking a deep breath, pushed open the towering carved doors.
Pillared statues of the Sorceress held up the ceiling, which was decorated with murals that I had no time to appreciate.
My attention darted to the long tables, where Kalurian clansmen sat, each with weapons strapped to their sides – at least a hundred warriors, and that wasn’t counting the imposing table at the head of the hall.
A few priestesses stood to one side, including Velanthe – and the sight of her diminished position only increased my foreboding.
The clan leader had claimed the centre seat for himself, the heads of clans Volsung, Asbj?rn and Skjoldr in places of honour close to his side: his sister Nari, Thoren and a bearded man I could only assume must be Ulrik.
Their kohl-darkened eyes were already intent on the double doors. But they weren’t studying me or the traditional woollen dress I wore, handwoven with the colours of the three Kalurian clans: black, emerald and sapphire.
No – their attention was on Cassius, who couldn’t have looked more Ravalian if he’d tried.
I barely heard the herald call out my title. I was more focused on Velanthe’s thunderous face. This definitely wasn’t the entrance she’d envisioned.
But if V?lund was concerned about how I’d treated my ex-fiancé, what better way than to present a united front?
The other option I’d considered – having Cassius escorted to the banquet hall by armed guards – would surely have set the wrong tone.
At least Cassius had enough sense to walk behind me as we approached, making it seem like I had some semblance of control over him.
I wove my way between the long tables, keeping my gaze straight ahead – even as I felt the intent appraisal of the clansmen.
They had never been allowed inside the Temple before, and for good reason.
The tension between them and the priestesses was so thick that it would be a miracle if we made it through tonight without bloodshed.
V?lund stood at my approach, towering over me much like his sister had done.
His fur mantle made his shoulders seem even broader, and it was all I could do to avoiding looking at the sword and axe he wore.
But I couldn’t stop myself from staring at the ebony tattoos continuing from his brow to just below his dark green eyes: two thick lines that resembled daggers.
‘Be welcome amongst me and mine, Kasmira Volaris,’ V?lund said, his voice deep and surprisingly pleasant, considering his warlike appearance.
I was startled to realise that he couldn’t be more than ten years older than I was, placing him in his late twenties – but his youth o nly made him that much more dangerous.
How many warriors must he have defeated, in order to prove himself as clan leader?
And then there was his choice of words, and their very clear meaning: that the Temple was effectively under his control. Not mine.
‘I accept your hospitality.’ That was the formal response Velanthe had taught me, and I didn’t miss the subtle arch of V?lund’s brows.
‘It’s gratifying to see you have learnt some of our customs.’ The silver in V?lund’s braided dark hair jangled as he folded his muscular arms. ‘Some amongst us worried that our new queen was more Ravalian than Kalurian.’
‘Not at all,’ I said, relieved by such a positive start to our conversation. ‘I am my father’s daughter, and I’m always eager to discover more about his homeland. I’m sure we have much to learn from one another.’
‘Indeed,’ V?lund agreed, but his expression hardened as it fell on Cassius. ‘Though it appears I may have spoken too soon in regard to your loyalties. I am unused to dining with Ravalian princes. I believe this one was your betrothed?’
Hostility radiated from Thoren and Ulrik. I knew the rules for a gathering like this one: no weapon could be drawn without severe consequences. But if V?lund gave the order–
‘Until recently,’ Nari interrupted, ‘the Ravalian prince was locked up in the Temple dungeons. That he roams freely tonight is most likely a gesture of good faith. I passed on your request for an audience.’
V?lund pulled out the chair on his left. ‘Sit,’ he told me, in a tone that left me unsure if it was an order or an invitation. ‘You imprisoned your betrothed?’
‘Cassius didn’t come here willingly,’ I said, taking a seat, ‘and though he despises his brother, I didn’t feel comfortable letting him wander around the Temple as he pleased. But we’ve agreed to put aside past issues in favour of our common goal: defeating Roran.’
‘Interesting,’ V?lund said, his gaze on Cassius. ‘If you were to defeat Roran, is it your intention to take his place?’
What a good question. I glanced sideways at Cassius. Undoubtedly he still had designs on the Ravalian throne – but I could never allow him to have it, considering he had no desire to give Kalure its independence.
‘It’s a possibility,’ Cassius said, his tone noncommittal. His ease was surprising, considering he was seated between the hulking figures of Thoren and Ulrik. ‘Of course, there’s also Scarlett to consider.’
‘Yes,’ V?lund said after a pause. ‘I have heard a great deal about the Ravalian princess. Does she share your reservations where Roran is concerned?’
‘Certainly.’ Cassius lifted a goblet of mead to his lips. ‘There is no love lost between Scarlett and Roran. Our distrust for our elder brother is the one thing we agree on.’
There was a lull in conversation as plates of seafood were set in front of us. Cassius turned his attention to one of the female Kalurian servers, saying something that made her laugh – a pretty, rich sound that I immediately despised.
‘Is the princess with Roran in Kalure?’
I quickly returned my attention to V?lund. ‘No. Our latest information places Scarlett in the Western Lands.’ I delighted in telling the clan leader, ‘Apparently she’s putting down their most recent rebellion.’
His slight frown said that my words had hit their mark. I could only hope that V?lund would be reconsidering Roran’s offer now, with Cassius by my side and news of unrest under Ravalian rule.
I pressed my advantage. ‘That’s the issue with commanding such a large empire. It’s an ongoing task just to keep the countries in line.’
The frown between V?lund’s eyebrows deepened, and I wondered if he was thinking of the terrible methods the Ravalians employed to keep said countries in line.
‘Yet you competed for a place in the Ravalian Orders.’ A probing statement.
I met V?lund’s gaze steadily. ‘After Emperor Kalias executed my mother, he intended to kill me as well. The Trials were my only chance at survival.’
Beneath the kohl, V?lund’s green eyes were vivid – and surprisingly perceptive. ‘We have a similar system, when choosing our clan leader,’ he said, ‘but we do not kill each other for sport. The Council of Ancients wouldn’t support a leader who demonstrated such a disregard for human life.’
‘I thought the Council of Ancients chose your clan leader.’ That was what Velanthe had told me.
‘In a way, they do.’ V?lund’s gaze was far away as he said, ‘Our chosen candidate must meet with the council before the clans will answer to them. It is considered a great honour. They do not welcome interference, and will not show themselves to anyone unless they wish to.’
I had heard that as well. It was one of the reasons I hadn’t pushed for an audience, even though I knew the council held great sway over the clans.
That, and Velanthe’s warning that the council had severed ties with the Temple long ago, no longer recognising its authority or supporting the traditional rule of the Sorceress’s descendants.
By unspoken agreement, we moved on to lighter topics.
The fish and steamed shellfish – all freshly caught – prompted me to ask about traditional Kalurian fare.
V?lund softened as he shared stories of Valheim, describing the rectangular longhouses of the settlement, its grazing fields and the proud fleet within its natural harbour.
‘I usually only have cause to visit the traditional clan settlements,’ V?lund continued, ‘but the rest of the Wilds are beautiful as well. On my way here, I couldn’t help but admire the tree-top villages.’
His words tempted a genuine smile from me. ‘Would you like to visit one? I could take you.’
‘I would like that. Perhaps we–’
The double doors burst open, displaying a dozen Kalurian warriors. One of their number approached the main table and bowed to me.
‘Your Majesty,’ Bane said in a deep baritone, ‘Prince Roran was apprehended at the Temple gates, demanding an audience. We have him detained in the portico.’
I could hardly believe my luck. The sheer arrogance of it was astounding.
No doubt Roran had heard of my meeting with the clans, and had come here to derail the negotiations – or to secure the alliance for himself. But he had finally overplayed his hand.
‘Execute him,’ I said immediately.
The warrior turned on his heel, but V?lund called, ‘Hold.’
Bane paused, his attention on me. Unlike the majority of the warriors inside the hall, Bane was from Kalure – not the Wilds. He had no allegiance to the clans.
‘Roran is an enemy ruler during wartime,’ I said coolly to V?lund. ‘I understand that such methods may seem unpalatable to you, but since he has entered my territory uninvited–’
‘He was invited,’ V?lund interrupted. ‘By me.’
Dead silence descended in the banquet hall. Bane was still looking at me, awaiting my order. I wanted to give it. My heart was pounding, adrenaline flowing through my veins.
This was my chance to kill Roran. Kill him, and his army would crumble. Kill him, and–
V?lund would become my enemy.
‘I had meant to raise it more diplomatically over dinner, but circumstances have conspired against me.’ Though V?lund’s voice was carefully light, there was nothing light about the way he was watching me.
‘I had Nari issue an invitation, but I had no idea that Prince Roran had accepted, or that he would arrive so soon.’
‘Your fighters might encircle the Temple,’ I said tightly, ‘but you don’t have the authority to invite Roran here. I do, and I don’t want him in the Wilds.’
‘I understand,’ V?lund said with apparent sincerity. ‘It was never my intention to escalate tensions. I simply prefer to bring all parties together in a negotiation – particularly a negotiation as important as this one.’
I glanced at Velanthe, who had been observing my interaction with V?lund from a slight distance. Her face was smooth and unreadable, giving nothing away. Still, she had advised me to do whatever it took to win the clans to my side.
Even if I executed Roran, I couldn’t be certain that this war would end with him. There was still Scarlett to consider, not to mention Zandri and the Ravalian generals. And if V?lund and the clans decided to take up arms against me, the Temple would be facing a battle waged on multiple fronts.
A battle that would destroy us.
‘Belay that order,’ I told Bane firmly, and the clan warriors relaxed.
My eyes locked with Cassius’s midnight-blue ones. It was impossible to tell whether he thought I was making a mistake, but it was too late to regret my decision now.
I issued my final order:
‘Bring Roran in.’