Page 255 of A Dawn of Gods & Fury

My body was all but crushed in the fall. Serenis has worked tirelessly ever since, and when she needed rest, she ensured there was another skilled healer to take her place. I do not know if her doting is because I am Islor’s prince, or Zander’s brother, or simply because Kazimir’s cock was that pleasing to her. I’m appreciative, whatever her motivation.

“What do you think about the shadow now, huh?” I direct that to the conjurer.

Tuella smiles. “It has its benefits. I have never argued that.”

“The stars lied to you.”

“They did not lie. They just did not tell the whole story. I saw you fall from the sky with the great beast.”

“And you couldn’t have warned me?”

“Would it have mattered?”

“Likely not,” I admit. With Bexley’s help, I kept the throng of Saur’goths from swallowing up my brother. I bought him time until Romeria could do … whatever she did. I’m still unclear about that.

A soft knock sounds on the door.

Zander and Romeria stroll in, hand in hand.

“I thought you would be sitting on your throne in Cirilea by now, Brother,” I mock, though there isn’t any hint of animosity in my tone. “Where you belong.”

Serenis pulls away, her eyes tinged with red. “That should suffice, Your Highness.”

I bend my leg, careful not to expose my naked body to an entire room of people. It’s stiff, but I’ve broken enough bones to know I will be limber again within a day or two. “As good as new. Thank you, High Priestess. Get some rest.”

With bows for Romeria and Zander, she and Kazimir depart.

“Have you been to see Bexley yet?” I’ve thought of her often since I was carried away, her forlorn moans playing on in my mind.

Romeria’s smile is sad as she shakes her head. “She’s gone. She flew off as soon as the casters healed her.”

“She’ll come back.”

“I don’t know that she will. Our alliance may be permanently damaged.” Romeria’s eyes water. “I killed her mate and her child.”

“You did not,” Zander corrects her in a stern tone. “And you were fed lies about that horn. You did not know the true consequences.”

“When all hope is lost,” she murmurs, more to herself.

I meet Zander’s gaze, searching for any residual animosity there. I don’t see any, but I imagine it will take more than one realm-ending battle for him to trust me again—if he ever can. “How many did we lose?”

“Many,” Zander admits. “But not nearly as many as we could have. Lord Telor has named Radomir captain of Lyndel’s army. He is gathering information on those lost for us.”

“Yes, who is this fellow? I keep hearing his name.”

“He was a sapling until the blood curse lifted.” Zander chuckles when my jaw drops. “A story for another day. Suffice to say, he can be trusted.”

“If a sapling can win you over, there is still hope for me. What of Cirilea?”

“We leave for the city in the morning to reclaim my throne. A few lords have survived the battle.” He snorts. “And Saoirse, of course. How she continues to evade death is beyond me. It has become an art form.”

“For a cockroach,” Romeria mutters.

“If I were to give you one piece of advice, it would be to execute her now. Today.” I give him a stern look. “Believe me, she has earned the honor of both our blades.”

He pauses. “Consider it done, as my thanks to you for all your aid.”

“This Saoirse … she is elven?” Tuella interrupts.

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