Page 128 of A Dawn of Gods & Fury

When she spots Elisaf, her face splits with a wide smile.

“Have you ever imagined a queen so happy to see you,” Elisaf murmurs, matching her joy.

“Me? Of course. Not many can resist this face.” Radomir smooths a palm over his trim beard.

I chuckle, appreciating the moment of levity. “How is Xiaric?”

“Healed, though he’ll have a scar. Just like his father.”

“And Caindra?”

“Still looking like she’s two seconds from flying back to torch the entire city.” She nods toward Lord Telor. “It’s good to see you up.”

“I am beginning to think I am more resilient than a daaknar, thanks to you.” He dips his chin in greeting. “How do you fair, Your Highness? The last I laid eyes on you, you were helping to dismember a nethertaur.”

“She has been busy dismembering Mordain with her clever tricks since.” I smooth my hand over the back of her neck.

“Yes, Prime now too?” Kienen mock frowns.

“Just call me Genghis,” she mutters, earning confused looks from others and a laugh from me. She is hardly a tyrannical, murdering conqueror. “So, what’s the plan?” she asks, sparing a disgusted sneer for the dead soldier on the ground.

“Simple. We divide our forces between the rift and Lyndel, so we can keep them in the city rather than having them close in on our backs at night. Then we need to figure out what they hope to achieve here.” Is it merely a show of Malachi’s power, or is it tactical?

“We will ready everyone.” Gaellar and Kienen bow and depart swiftly.

“Speaking of threats.” Lord Telor slips out a letter tucked inside his breastplate. I instantly recognize the seal with the flame imprint. “A squire delivered a letter from Cirilea yesterday.”

Romeria shares a look with me. “King Malachi?”

“Yes.”

“I imagine one sits in Bellcross, but I have not yet received word,” Theon adds.

“May I see it?”

With a nod, Telor hands me the letter.

I have ended the blood curse. I am your new ruler. All will kneel before me.

My jaw tenses. “Very short and to the point. Almost not worth the effort.” I hand it to Romeria.

“He’s claiming that he ended to blood curse!” Indignation sparks across her face. “He caused all of this!”

“Islor is not the only realm who has received such a message.” Elisaf’s expression is almost apologetic. “Kienen confirmed that a similar one arrived at the front line only hours ago, by messenger bird.”

Romeria’s eyes widen. “He sent them to Ybaris too?”

“He has his sights set on more than Islor. Do not be surprised if Mordain and Kier hear from him as well. There could be one waiting in Argon for you.”

Romeria says something incoherent under her breath as she studies the letter closer. “Nice penmanship.”

“Great care in those rounded strokes,” Elisaf agrees. “Dare I say, feminine.”

“He didn’t write this,” she says. “Sofie did.”

“You’re likely right,” I agree. As if the Fate of Fire would sit at a desk and write out letters to those he deems beneath him. “And there isn’t any mention of the war at the rift or his plans for Islor.”

Romeria hands the letter back to me, determination blazing in her eyes. “Let’s go meet his army and find out for ourselves.”

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