Page 51 of The Last of the Dark Lords

"The 'citizens of Greatfalls' need to understand that if they are to live here, they are to follow our rules." Athard swung his legs over the arm of the chair and hopped to his feet. "All the carousing was becoming a problem."

"We can discuss the military forces of Greatfalls later." Grandmother tapped her staff on the floor in frustration. "You've returned. Is it done?"

My stomach flipped with nervousness at her question. This was the crux of it. How thoroughly had she lied to me? And what was she willing to do about it?

"It is."

Her smile widened. "Good. His death is unfortunate, but it is better this way. Greatfalls could not continue having to contend with the threat of Ashfuror."

She had known everything. She had expected him to die.

"You lied to me!" My heart raced and my face grew hot with rage. "You told me the crown would kill him if he continued to use it."

"It would have." Concern flashed on Grandmother’s face, but it was false, I was sure of it. Everything she said was threaded with lies. "Either way, the crown would eventually take his life. This just sped up the process. It's for the best. It will take them some time to find a new ruler, and we can use it to our advantage."

My blood burned, and there was a sudden weight on my brow. The crown had grown heavier, as if it anticipated what would come next.

"Not so much time." I pulled back my hood, and the amber light of the crown poured forth, illuminating the shadowy hall. Jelenna flinched at the sight, and Athard stepped back. Only Grandmother was nonplussed.

"That's quite a surprise." Grandmother took in the sight of me for a moment. "But also an opportunity. We can forge a new treaty. A stronger one, to ensure that Ashfuror will never threaten us again."

"I want that too,” I said. No matter what she’d done, I had more important things to do than nurse my own hurt. “A treaty that will solidify the relationship between Greatfalls and the rest of Fyr. That will ensure the safety of the people of this land. But there is one question that must be answered before we can do that.”

“Yes?” Grandmother asked, her voice laced with suspicion.

“How can we sign a peace treaty with a ruler that would send an assassin to murder a child?"

Grandmother stepped back and leaned onto the tabletop. For the first time, she was actually surprised. Her recovery was quick, though, and her expression sharpened.

"He was not a child, Skye. He was heir to the throne of Ashfuror, and a future aggressor."

"He was ten!"

"You will learn soon enough, Dark Lord of Ashfuror, that to be an effective ruler, you have to make difficult decisions."

I said nothing. This was a point I could not concede. I would never participate in the harming of a child, no matter what the political goal might be.

"Your grandmother's right, Skye. We do what we have to do." Jelenna spoke for the first time, her voice tense with fear.

"What didyouhave to do, hm?” I couldn’t stop my reaction. “Where were you after I took the crown from Cyrus? You were gone!"

She opened her mouth to speak, then closed it. Just as well. There was no answer she could give that would make it feel like she hadn’t abandoned me.

"Those were my orders." Grandmother stepped toward Jelenna, putting a hand on her shoulder. "She was to leave once the deed was done."

"And what about me? Was I to be abandoned to torture or execution, when they found me with the dead Lord of Ashfuror?"

Grandmother did not answer. No one spoke, no one argued the point. That was it then. I was expected to marry a man, I was expected to kill him, and then I was expected to die.

I shook it all off. None of this mattered anymore, now that I knew the truth. This final confirmation of her deception hardened my heart. This was a political negotiation now, not a personal one. She was ruthless, and I would ensure that the people of my new nation would not suffer because of her. I didn't need more specifics of how my parents were child-killers, or how my own grandmother would leave me to my death. I was a Lord of Fyr, and I would act as one.

"Very well. Here are the terms of the treaty. Greatfalls shall remain autonomous, and neither I nor any Lord that comes after me will threaten the city. In return, you will give over control of the dam and the water supply to me."

An inhuman growl rumbled from my left. It was my brother.

"Like hell we will!" he shouted.

Grandmother held up her hand. "Athard—"

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