Page 22 of Oath-Maker

Cornelius was right. Lucius knew it, too.

There was nothing to talk about. Not really. Lucius needed the light sickness cure. I could not defend Alastia alone, no matter what delusion Lucius had of me and my power withouthim.

We would end up in a war with the Fallen, no matter what happened here today. Maybe Alastia wouldn’t be the first demon city to fall. Maybe they’d sway other human populations to fight demons first, take the other cities around the world, and only then return to decimate Alastia afterward.

But warwascoming. A fight at least, and soon, here inourcity.

Again.

But maybe… Just maybe we didn’t have to fight alone.

A plan—brazen, stupid, and relying on too much going right—blossomed in my mind. Unraveling quicker than we had time for. I glanced over at Jessa and tried to send to her feelings of my fear turning to hope, ones she could pick up on and interpret with her magic. I wasn’t sure the latter would translate well, but she met my gaze. Looked unsure. Then nodded.

Ian caught the exchange. “Don’t,” he mouthed.

But I had to.

Going with Cornelius would buy us time. It might gain us soldiers. And it would keep Lucius alive.

“Leave,” Lucius commanded. “Your superiors have no idea what they are doing inviting this war into Serenia. We ended the previous war to keep this world safe. There is nowhere else to go. If you take Alastia, it isyouwho choose to disrupt hard-won peace.”

Cornelius clicked his tongue. “That is not the case. You wouldn’t allow your queen to leave your side even briefly for a chance to keep that peace?”

Lucius’s jaw locked and I could see the rage burning in his eyes. And his shakiness. The sweat along his brow. “I don’tallowher to do anything. She’s her own person.”

“This isn’t aboutme,” I cut in, earning the angriest glare from Lucius that had ever been set upon me. Goosebumps rose along my arms and neck, but I held my ground. Quieter, I said, “I can’t lose you.”

I have a plan, I thought as though Lucius could hear. As though he could see any reason at all right now.

“We’ve discussed this,” he hissed.

I placed a hand on his arm. His fingers balled into a fist. “I will go. You will be cured.” To Cornelius, I said, “Know that we are handfasted, bound by our mate bond, marriage, and the witness of this entire court. If marriage is the Guardian’s aim, he will not be receiving a bride.”

Cornelius dipped his head again. “He requests your presence, my lady, and nothing more.”

“That is a lie.” Lucius’s breathing had grown shallowed and ragged. On top of the exertion of moving around, I could tell he was losing what little of his control remained. Even in this state, I was sure his magic could do much if unchecked.

“Most assuredly,” I said, “but it doesn’t change the facts.” I lightly squeezed his arm. “Trust me, Lucius. I’ll be fine, and you’ll be cured.”

“Ayla,” he warned coolly.

“You have Ian,” I whispered to him as I turned partially away from Cornelius. “And Jessa. An entire city.Trust me.”

Lucius looked like he very much didnotwant to trust me or let me go. But he’d said it himself: he didn’tallowme to do anything, which meant he also couldn’t stop me. Not really.

I was some sort of figure to the Order. I was Queen Consort of Alastia. Going with Cornelius kept both Lucius and me alive for now. It kept peace flowing.

I turned back toward Cornelius. “Heal him now, and I will go with you. You have my word.”

“The Guardian would first have your oath,” Cornelius argued.

Lucius cursed loudly, but I spoke over him. “Alastia has my oath. I will not make more. The exchange was my presence in Lightport for Lucius’s cure—don’t go adding stipulations.” If Merek wanted more out of me, he should’ve made that clearer yesterday.

He does want more.

Obviously. Probably to open more tears in the Veil or as some sort of weapon, maybe. Or maybe just as a martyr if he could manage to twist my story around.

It didn’t matter. Not now, not yet.

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