Page 18 of Fear the Flames
“Elowen,” Ailliard blanches, “you think this is nothing?” He spreads his hands wide, gesturing to the town that lies beyond my house. “You’ve given people a home.”
“It’s not only me.”
“No, but you’re the backbone.”
I wave my hands through the air, brushing past this subject. “I won’t wait for a move to be made on me, which it will, and lose my chance at an advantage. That’s what Commander Veles offers me.”
“How are you so sure a move will be made on us?” he asks without judgment, just curiosity.
“Power-hungry rulers don’t just give up, they focus on the largest threat, and Garrick’s largest threat is Vareveth. But, if Vareveth loses the war and Imirath invades—who’s to say his focus won’t shift to me?”
“What if Garrick gives up because he thinks you’re dead?” Ailliard counters.
I shake my head, “A ruler that doesn’t think of every possibility is a ruler that won’t have a crown for very long. Also, why should I wait to see if he’ll make a move when an opportunity for myself to make one is right in front of me?”
“We have the mist to keep us hidden,” Ailliard offers.
“You can’t guarantee that the mist won’t clear one day, and if we figured out how to navigate the mountains, so can someone else.”
“You never were the patient type,” Ailliard muses. I’ve been patient enough. “It’s not that I don’t support you, I just want the best for you, and I want you to be safe.”
Only I can define what’s best for me.
Right now, that’s Vareveth.
“I’m tired of being a bystander in my own life,” I admit as the tension eases between us. “Just because I outgrow something doesn’t mean I love it any less. I love Aestilian, which is why I want to protect it. But I can’t stay here forever, imagining what it would have been like to take a chance on myself.”
“I think I always knew this day would come, even if I didn’t want to admit it to myself. Even when you were a girl, you always had that fire in you,” Ailliard nods his head while stroking his beard. “It’s why I taught you all the dances and protocol of court. Whatever I taught you, there was always ajust in caseat the back of my mind.” A sad smile crosses his face.
“I do appreciate you teaching me all of those things,” I offer him a small smile, and his shoulders loosen at the sight of it. It’s normal for us to butt heads. He has a short fuse, and sometimes I feed into it.
“I never thought I would be going out into the world again.” Ailliard takes place in hunts and raids on occasion, but he never believed he would rejoin society.
“You don’t have to come,” I offer. “Finnian already said he would accompany me, and Commander Veles is handpicking guards for me.”
“I’m coming,” he says, though I note the slight tremor in his voice.
“How about you just ride with me to meet Vareveth? We’re meeting at the God of Earth’s temple.” Guilt from watching Ailliard visibly battle with his nerves makes me want to reach out to him, but I don’t feel comfortable enough to do that.
“No,” he states more definitively. “I brought you out of Imirath, and I’ll be with you when you ride into Vareveth. I’ve watched you become the queen you are, and I’m not missing a moment more. Besides, you’ll need more than Finnian to deal with Vareveth’s advisors while the treaty is drawn up, and I won’t let you get a bad deal. I’ve seen enough treaties drawn up to be able to recognize hidden clauses.”
I hadn’t realized just how tight my shoulders were until they loosen. Ailliard has practically committed our ledgers to memory. I’ll have to focus on the heist, which means spending more time with Cayden and less with King Eagor and Queen Valia. It’s good that Finnian won’t be alone if I can’t attend a meeting with him. He can handle himself, but I’d prefer for him to have backup in case it gets too overwhelming. This is new territory for Finnian and me, but Ailliard knows what it’s like to be in a castle and deal with advisors.
“I won’t lie, I’m relieved you’re coming,” I confess.
The wrinkles by his eyes deepen as he smiles at me, “You’ll be even more relieved to know I acquired some fabric this morning and handed it off to the tailor.”
“Really?” I shoot up from the chair, which causes Ailliard to chuckle. I spend most of my days in armor, leathers, or leggings, but I adore new gowns. Putting on a new, perfectly fitting gown feels like a breath of fresh air or the beginning of a new season. I love the way the skirts flow around me and swish as I walk, how they hug me in the right places. Gowns make me feel a different kind of power.
“It’s why I didn’t come to you sooner,” he laughs. “I only gave her enough fabric for two, but I’ve also set aside money for a wardrobe for both you and Finnian when we get to Vareveth.”
“What about you?” I inquire, my excitement halting for a moment.
He waves his hand through the air while getting to his feet, “The two of you are young. You deserve to indulge.” He outstretches his arms, and even though I’m not in the mood to be touched, I walk into them. It has nothing to do with Ailliard, I’ve moved past our argument; there are just some moments where I would find more comfort in kind parting words than someone wrapping their arms around me.
I step away after a quick squeeze, “Thank you again.” I’ve never had a royal wardrobe. I envision the gems, embroidery, and vibrant shades of fabric it entails.
“She still has your measurements but stop by her shop tomorrow morning to make sure everything is on track,” he says while walking toward the road. “I’m going to grab a pint because I feel old.”
