Page 42 of An Archer's Reckoning

“What is it?” Ayden asked. I could feel him sitting beside me.

“Blue robes. Dozens of them.”

“Mages?”

“Yeah. Shit, this is bad.”

“I can taste their magic. They make ready for something,”Órla said in my mind.

“Órla, I’ve seen enough. Get back here. We need to leave now.”

I rubbed my eyes as they opened and adjusted back to the dimness of the cavern. Ayden’s hand was on my shoulder the moment he saw I had returned.

“We can’t fight Mages out here. They recalled everyone with offensive Gifts to Saltstone a month ago.”

“Damnation, I need to Travel to HQ and warn the Captain.” I chewed my lower lip, then said, “Come with me.”

He shook his head slowly. “I need to check on my men. If the mountains truly are overrun, there may be survivors in need of aid. Others will need orders.”

“Right. Duty.” I turned away and leaned against the table.

“Dec, what are you—”

“Hear me out.” I raised a palm. “It may be too late to save Grove’s Pass. I’ll try to get there in time to hold off the Kingdom forces long enough to evacuate everyone, but the townwillfall. They have too many troops. I have to save as many as I can.”

“But—”

“The Kingdom isn’t waiting until spring. They’re invadingnow.”

Chapter 14

Isabel

Two days had passed since my performance before the pyres. No one dared defy me after that—certainly not the Council following myotherdemonstration with Sheriff Wilfred. The man had been loyal to the royal family for decades, but that meant he would never accept my rule after I killed the King and Prince.

Killing him served many purposes. Setting an example for the other simpering lords was chief among them, though I knew there was a faction still plotting against me.

“Let my Children deal with our enemies. They can be quite effective when given direction,”Irina hissed in my mind.

I shivered at the menacing voice that echoed through my consciousness. When Irina had first spoken in my mind after the ceremony, I thought I might be coming unhinged, that my new magic had loosened my grip on reality somehow. I could feel the spirit’s voice as it spoke, a thick syrup oozing through my chest.

The sensation was even more unsettling as Irina’s magic thrummed in dissonance with my own. I maintained control, for now—but how long would that last? With each passing day, Irina exerted slightly more control, imposing her ancient will over my thoughts and actions. Pinpricks traveled up my arms at the thought of the long-dead queen consuming my soul entirely.

Can she do that?

Aside from my growing unease over my guest, two tasks consumed my mind.

First, I had to secure the throne. As long as Jess roamed free, my time and influence as Regent was limited. Some of the lords might even move to give Jess full power, eliminating the regency altogether. I could not allow that.

Once Jess was out of the way, Kendall would ascend the throne. No one, not even my enemies, would think a child of his tender age capable of ruling. I loved my son—at least that’s what I told myself. He was a sweet, gentle boy, but he was damaged, the runt of the litter. He would never amount to anything physically, and his dull wit made me cringe. If he wore the crown, the Kingdom would become as weak as its broken ruler. That would never do. However, putting him on the throne allowed me six, maybe seven, years as Regent, plenty of time to figure out how to claim the throne for myself.

Thoughts of Kendall and Jess made my mind turn to Justin.

My heart cringed as his eyes and easy smile appeared in my mind.Hewould’ve made a good king. Justin was like Kendall, a gentle spirit, but with added layers of brilliance, confidence, and physical strength his younger brother lacked. His training with the Protectorate showed in his broadening shoulders and growing chest and arms. He wasn’t stunning like Alfred had been in his youth, but he was handsome, and his Gift—Spirits, magic’s Charisma flowed from him in waves—made it virtually impossible not to like the boy.

I loved him more than anything, even more than my own ambition.

Until I killed him for it.

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