Page 53 of A Wrecking of Salt and Fire

“I will take it under advisement.” Kohl bowed as he backed toward the door. “And, Ember, I really am sorry.” All she could think to do was give him a vulgar gesture as he exited her chambers.

Ember slinked back down under the covers. She was exhausted. Every tiny bit of energy stripped from her body. “I really have the support of the entire Spartanis?” she asked. Ember found it hard to believe that the men would prefer her to some Morentian soldier.

Ajax gave a small laugh. “Those men adored your sister. Feared her, really. And after they saw what Kohl did to you—there was no other choice. For the Drakos family and for Alentus.” He wrapped one arm around her, leaning so close their noses almost touched. “And most of all, for you. The warrior that the world didn’t see coming.” Her whole body seemed to heat as he grazed his lips in a light kiss on her cheek. “Now get some rest, we need you healthy for when you officially accept your title.”

“Thank you, Ajax. For believing in me when no one else would.”

It had been two days since Ember first woke up. She was finally able to walk around the castle, even if the stipulation was Ajax following her like a shadow. He was acting like an overprotective dog. Everytime she would step outside her chambers, there he would be waiting in full uniform, as if someone was going to come and threaten her life. Even if it seemed there was little chance that would happen again.

Despite the annoyance of never being alone, with Kohl lingering around, supposedly trying to make amends and explain again and again why he did what he did, Ember felt better with the commander by her side. Kohl was the last person she wanted to see or hear or talk to, and Ajax seemed to be keeping him at bay.

Until now. Until she was forced to speak with him because her entire future was at risk. They were meeting in the great hall to discuss the position of Prytan.

It was absurd that it was even in question. A tradition so ingrained in the history of Alentus, Ember could not fathom how they would reverse it. Yet, here she was, about to beg for what was clearly supposed to be hers.

A few weeks ago she would have given the position away. Gladly, even. But she was tired of always being second, never being enough to truly impress her parents like Katrin always had. And most of all, she needed to do this for her sister. So when they found her, she would have the full support of the Alentian army, not Kohl.

Again she wore those beautiful leathers Ajax had made for her. The soft navy with turquoise and gold threaded accents. The baldric with the Alentian banner. Her symbol. The simple gold crown with lightning bolts hooking the ends. One she would not give up so easily.

Ember ran her fingers over the leathers where the blood and dirt had been washed out. Places where the seamstress had patched over cuts from Kohl’s blade. Her sister’s fiery spirit raged through her and she finally understood the fear that Katrin sometimes felt for her powers. Ember followed in her mother’s footsteps. Her power would be light for healing. The power of the sun and the earth. Katrin was fueled by the light that shone in darkness like their father. A festering that sometimes creeped into Ember. If it was not kept in check it could be consuming and spiraling. The way she hated Kohl right now, it was sending her down that fine line.

“Are you ready, Prytan?” Ajax looped his fingers through hers, giving them a tight squeeze. He smiled softly, his words meant to be reassuring. That the Spartanis wanted her.

Ember nodded her head, even though she was not, could never really be ready for the responsibility and power that would be thrust upon her today. But the gods be damned, did she love it. The idea that she finally was more than a pretty face to her people. That she could help further her sister and her family’s legacy on the isle that gave them so much.

The sun was nearing its peak when Ember and Ajax stepped into the Great Hall, no longer gripping each other’s hands. Kohl sat on the throne at the end of the hall. Her mother’s throne. Her sister’s throne. One with gilded foil and designs of the Alentian people. Its sides with intricate carvings representing the Triad Mountains, arms embossed with lightning, sun, and stars. Their symbols. Their power. Not his.

Leaning forward, Kohl sat with his elbows propped upon his knees, hands clasped in front of him as if he had sat upon that sacred dais his whole life. A smug grin splashed across his face, pairing well with the obsidian and burgundy of his tunic. A stark contrast to the turquoise, white, and gold of the Alentian banners that lined both sides of the room.

“Ember, Commander, so nice of you to finally join us.” She had not noticed the Viper as he slithered out from behind the dais. Kohl’s father would have been quite attractive if it was not for his hardened features and terrifying grin. Ember would—could no longer be afraid. Ajax told her over and over again this morning that someone like King Athanas only responded to power. If she believed she was strong enough and worthy enough to be a leader, then show it.

“I wasn’t aware we were late to anything,” Ember spat back. This meeting was to be between Ember, Kohl, the Commander, and the five elected senators of the Spartanis. Outside influence had never been allowed to attend a vote. “What are you doing here anyway? This is a closed meeting.” Her voice was forceful and unwavering. She was tired of cowering in front of powerful men. Especially those who belittled individuals who they considered less than.

King Athanas laughed, deep and wicked. “Clearly, Princess, you have not been taught enough about your own traditions. Not only the heir apparent to the position is allowed to be present at this vote. Any who wish to offer their opinion or recommendation of another can attend and make their case.” His lip curled back flashing those elongated and shaven canines. The five senators all muttered to themselves behind her. Two were the younger guards—Remus and Linard—between her and Ajax’s age, the next generation of the Spartanis. Two were generals—Asterios and Paris—older in age and seasoned in battle. The last, a man who should have been well past his prime, yet he still walked and fought with the same grace he did fifty years before. Iason.

Ember looked up at Ajax, who gave her a swift nod. He had spoken with the five senators again this morning. Every one of them had been in support of her claim to the sacred title. “I am well aware of my people’s laws, King Athanas. That does not change the fact that the ruling has already been decided in my favor.” She smiled back at him sarcastically. He would not win this round. Ember had made sure of it.

The Viper circled around by his son’s side. Clacking his fingers on the arm of the throne, lifting a brow at Kohl. “Is that so?”

Kohl straightened, shimmying in the seat until he sat with a straight back at attention. “I agree that a member of the Drakos house should have a place at all times. It wouldn’t look very good for political relations between the isles otherwise. Like I have said over and over, I am sitting here because of my Aikaterine—for her, until she is found. I would like the people in the Mykandrian Isles to know that unlike Nexos, Morentius does not intend to steal their lands.” As much as Ember loathed him right now, she was grateful Kohl did not push back further on the matter. “However, as law dictates, we will hear my father out.”

And then he messed even that bit of forgiveness up.

“Thank you, my boy.” Ember guessed that was probably the first time King Athanas had ever spoken those words. “We all know that this position means a lot to the Drakos family, the young princess included, but in these times we need someone who can truly lead the people, not a pretty figurehead.”

Ember was seething. She was more than just a symbol. She had started to fight. Had shown at the Wrecking that she did not relent even when the odds were stacked against her. She would not bend.

The Viper continued, “My spies have confirmed the worst of our fears. That the day of the Acknowledgement was not the last we would see of King Nikolaos. It is no longer a question of if Nexos is raising an army, but rather when that army will grace our shores. They will come soon and both of our isles need to be led by someone who knows how to command an army, not a girl barely over twenty. I request you consider another for the position.”

Ember wanted to go straight up to Kohl’s father and punch him in the face. The useless, manipulative snake.

“My father makes a convincing point,” Kohl started.

“You lying piece of—”

Ajax gripped Ember’s arm. “Breathe, Ember. It will be fine.” She rolled her eyes, but did not finish her sentence toward Kohl.

The king smiled again. “She has a fiery spirit, just like her sister. But she is not Katrin. She has not trained for years to accept this role. I nominate Ajax, your current commander, to assume the position of Prytan.” Ember went sheet white.

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