No Way Out
Chapter three
Finnick Valengard did not do well in silence.
He was far more suited to a lively ballroom than the quiet war room he had just entered.
But as the son of the Commander of the Lucent Enclave and nephew to the emperor, he was expected to be present in meetings such as these.
It did not mean he would enjoy it, though. Nor would he feel comfortable.
No one spoke upon his entrance. Not even a hello.
He scanned the room with a furrowed brow.
Uncle Theodus, known as Emperor Theodus Valengard to most, stood opposite Finn, behind the circular table covered in a vast map of the Seven Havens.
The map was yellowed with age, the ink slightly faded.
Each of the islands was outlined, with dashed lines indicating trade routes throughout the Seven Havens.
There were a few small boat figurines scattered about, places where ships had been found robbed and decimated last Eventide.
They’d spent the last year investigating the matter, but it was difficult with so few survivors and no ability to travel outside of Eventide.
To the emperor’s right was Finn’s father, Commander Artavius, and to his left was the emperor’s son and Finn’s closest friend, Castien. The room was absent of the other advisors and ambassadors Finn had come to expect in these meetings. Each of his relatives wore a somber expression.
Finn tried for a joke to lighten the mood. “Do not look at me as though I am late; all of you are simply early.”
In truth, he wasn’t late. He knew better than that at this stage of his life.
Finn was being trained to take his father’s place once his cousin rose to power.
Which was well on its way to happening, given that they were approaching an election year.
Emperor Theodus made a speech after Castien’s wedding and stated he did not plan on dying on the throne.
He wanted to be alive and well when his son wore the crown.
As such, Finn would be expected to aid his cousin’s rule by taking up the helm of Commander of the Lucent Enclave.
“We have a matter of great import to discuss,” Finn’s father spoke, not acknowledging Finn’s words.
Finn drew closer to the table. He met Castien’s gaze, but his cousin did not reveal anything in his expression.
Such was Castien’s way. The man looked to be made of stone when he wasn’t gazing at his wife, Wren.
With measurable effort, Finn could draw a smile out of his cousin, but Wren made him a new man entirely.
He wished that Wren were here now. She tended to balance out their family.
“I am listening,” Finn prompted.
Artavius nodded. “We recently received word from our informants stationed in Grimhaven.”
Finn’s attention sharpened. They had good reason to believe that Grimhaven was responsible for the attacks on Enclave ships. Any news on the matter was vital.
“Did they confirm the scum’s involvement?” Finn asked.
The island of Grimhaven had a reputation for bloodshed.
Killing was both expected and encouraged.
The way you climbed the ranks in the kingdom was by eliminating the person above you.
Sons stabbed their fathers, and brothers slit their sisters’ throats.
All for power. That alone was despicable, but it wasn’t the only disgusting ritual.
There was also the Grimhaven Games. A showcase where prisoners and enemies of the crown were thrown into an arena to battle each other as well as vicious cryptura.
It wouldn’t be surprising if Grimhaven were the source of the attacks.
For the past several years, the Lucent Enclave had been entrenched in hostile trade negotiations with Grimhaven.
They made unreasonable demands often, and it would make sense that they went to extreme measures after another year of unmet desires.
“They did, but that is not the worst news they brought back.”
Anxiety wrapped a fist around Finn’s stomach. He feared his father would utter the word he was most afraid of: war. That was something he hoped with all his might they would not come to. It would require a great deal of the kingdom, and he would be in a position to lose those he loved. Again.
Castien spoke up. “A mysterious orb has washed up on their shores. Our spies have picked up rumors that this artifact is capable of influencing cryptura. They’re not sure to what extent, but they have spotted dozens of royal alchemists flocking to the capital to study it on behalf of the king.”
Finn swallowed. While he was glad war was not mentioned, this was far from ideal.
“We cannot risk Grimhaven having such an advantage over us,” Castien continued.
Excitement made Finn’s heart skip like a stone over a lake. The puzzle pieces clicked into place. He knew what his cousin was about to say.
“You aim to steal it, don’t you?” he asked, his words tumbling out of him.
Castien dipped his chin, a glimmer of mirth in his dark eyes. “I do.”
A grin stretched across Finn’s face. Now this was something he could look forward to. Dangerous, yes, but not a widespread disaster like war. His sister would be safe at home, not under threat of incoming battalions.
The emperor cleared his throat. “Castien is assembling a group to accompany him across the Tides and into Grimhaven. Though I am not thrilled at the idea of sending the future emperor of the Lucent Enclave into enemy territory, Castien is best suited to the task.”
Castien’s Gift was strategy. Logic and puzzles came easily to him.
He once described his Gift as gold writing on the walls of his mind.
The words told him the best course of action to take, made connections to solve a mystery, and even revealed enemy weaknesses during a fight.
It was an undeniable advantage in accomplishing a heist.
“And of course, I would like for you to come with me,” Castien added.
The decision could be seen as one based solely on the foundation of Finn and Castien’s friendship and familial bond.
But in reality, Finn’s Gift was incredibly valuable to an undertaking of this magnitude.
For the Tides had Gifted him with charm.
A kind of placating coercion that got him in and out of trouble as he so pleased.
“You already know I’m in,” Finn replied, still grinning. “Who else will be with us? When do we leave?”
Castien glanced at his father, wariness flickering over his expression. That wasn’t a good sign. Castien rarely showed outward emotion, especially ones that revealed weakness. Theodus nodded in a way that indicated Castien was to continue.
“We had to form an alliance to obtain the participation of a key member of the crew.”
Finn’s smile dropped. Why did his cousin sound as though he were delivering a death sentence?
“Our fathers spoke to Duke Morrowe, who owns our best weapons forge. He has a daughter, Lady Lucianna Morrowe. She possesses a unique Gift, and her father has trained her in weapons and stealth from her youth.”
Finn’s brows rose. The woman sounded formidable, but he was still unsure of why Castien sounded pained.
“We initially met with him to inquire about the weapon he is developing, but there was no progress. However, he did offer assistance by way of his daughter’s participation,” Finn’s father added when Castien paused.
“He would not let her go for a low price.” Castien’s gaze dropped to the table. “We needed to not just secure her involvement, but also the future of weapons in case we need them.”
A pit formed in Finn’s stomach. A semblance of what Castien was implying twisted at the edges of Finn’s mind, but he did not allow himself to look at the thought head-on.
“You have been betrothed to Lucianna,” Castien said, ripping away any illusions Finn had maintained. “You will be married before we depart for Grimhaven. Within the week.”
Silence settled over the room, thick and suffocating.
A bead of sweat trailed down Finn’s spine.
His entire body buzzed with a restless energy that made it feel as though something were inside of him trying to claw its way out.
Finn gripped the edge of the table to keep from pushing his hands into his hair.
His father hated it when he did that. Said it was a tell that showed weakness.
“You have traded away my future without consulting me?” Finn rasped.
The commander clenched his jaw. He gestured sharply to the map.
“The Lucent Enclave is under attack. Grimhaven possesses a dangerous weapon. I did what was necessary for the kingdom.”
Finn closed his eyes for a moment. He drew in three breaths. Commander Artavius did not wait for him to calm before speaking again.
“Every Valengard in recent history—apart from Castien—has had their marriage arranged.”
Finn’s gaze snapped up.
“And why should I not be afforded the same courtesy as Castien? Why did the prince get to choose his bride, but my choice has been ripped away without so much as a consultation?”
Castien did not speak, likely knowing that anything he said would not soothe Finn’s anger.
“You know very well why Castien’s betrothal was approved upon his return from the academy.
Aside from the fact that he took it upon himself to spread the word of their betrothal in a manner that would make it practically impossible to undo, there is also the matter of Wren’s connections to the Council of the Wild Holm and her Gift,” Artavius answered.
It was Finn’s turn to clench his jaw. His cousin had fallen in love with Lady Wren Kalyxi while they were all at the Obsidian Academy together.
Wren was like a sister to Finn, and he would never wish ill upon her or Castien, but he did resent them at this moment.
Why couldn’t Castien have fallen in love with a lady’s maid?
Someone with no connections or a powerful Gift.
His choice was made out of love alone, but it looked strategic. As was to be expected of Castien.
His father continued his tirade. “You have had years to find a bride, Finnick. If you had used them wisely, perhaps we wouldn’t be in this situation.”
Finn did not deign to comment on his father’s obvious jab.
There was no use. He could not defend himself, for he had not been searching for a wife.
Not because he didn’t want one, but because he didn’t think anyone could truly want him for who he was apart from his title, apart from his Gift.
Those inseparable elements of his personhood tipped the scales too much to trust a relationship to be true.
So he spent his life doing what people expected of him: charming.
“If I were married, you would have had to find another way to appease Morrowe. Could you not have done so?” Finn knew he was challenging his father too much, but this was his future. He would have to spend the remainder of his days with this Lady Lucianna. A stranger.
“It is no use speaking in hypotheticals. The decision has been made. Lady Lucianna will arrive within the week. You shall marry, then begin the mission at once.”
Finn swallowed the rest of his protests. He could tell by the set of his father’s brow that his words would be wasted. There was no way out.
Finn was to be married.