Page 18 of Wrath of the Dragons
If I clench my jaw any tighter my teeth will break, but I force my tone to be even. “We’ll be gone for two days at most. You won’t be parted from the dragons long, and you’ll be able to test the bond over a great distance.”
She nods, twisting her fingers around her curls. Words I don’t know how to form burn in my throat as I watch her. I feel as if I’ve broken the one thing in my life that I held above everything else, and all I think about every waking moment is how to put the pieces back together to make us whole again. I open my mouth to say something…anything, but three—aggravating—voices enter the suite when the door slams open.
“Hello?” Ryder calls out, and I don’t bother answering. Elowen blankly stares across the room before lifting her shoulders and plastering on a smile none of them will see through as they appear in the doorway. “Well isn’t this a cozy addition to your love nest.”
Ryder sinks into the chair closest to the fire, propping his boots up on the table. If I believed in the gods, I’d pray for patience.
“Cayden would probably agree, considering he was more than happy to make a show of destroying all of his furniture that used to be in here.”
“Don’t put words in my mouth.” I narrow my eyes at Elowen. I’d never refer to something as alove nest.
She smirks. “How can I when they never seem to stop coming out?”
I roll my eyes and locate the whiskey bottle before taking a decent swig. Prayers don’t work but alcohol hasn’t failed me yet.
“Are we all set to leave tomorrow?” Finnian asks as Elowen takes the spot beside him on the couch.
Elowen’s shoulders stiffen as she looks around at our group. “Have you already met to discuss the evacuation?” She rests her arms against the back of the couch and settles her eyes on me. “I only just told you of my plans.”
“Evacuation is the only option. We don’t know what Ailliard revealed to Imirath while negotiating your capture, and as you said, Garrick will slaughter your kingdom simply because it will hurt you. If Lycus truly was injured while defending you and sought medical attention, your people will know of further treachery by prominent figures within Aestilian and will be on edge.”
Not only that, but there is too much land between here and Aestilian. She cannot rule both while Urasos and Feynadra stand between the kingdoms.
“We’ll leave at first light?” she asks, and I nod as she faces forward. I place my whiskey on the mantel and sink my hands into the cushions on either side of Elowen’s head. “Are you excited to be back on your lumpy mattress?”
Finnian groans in response, as Ryder’s voice fills the space. “Why is it always first light? I think we should start appreciating afternoon travel.”
“Because there are people who could die,” Saskia flatly states before handing Elowen a piece of parchment. “Cayden and I compiled a listof available housing in Verendus. He advised against Ladislava because many of your people are refugees. They’ll be farther away from the border in the inner city.”
“Thank you.” She quickly buries her nose in the paper. “This is perfect.” There’s a smile in her voice that’s mirrored on Saskia’s face. Sas has needed someone like Elowen since I met her, and the same goes for Elowen. “Are any buildings large enough to serve as an orphanage? I’d like to keep the children together.”
I lean down and rest my forearm on the couch. The pulse in Elowen’s neck jumps and the list slips from her fingers. I ghost my finger down her thigh. “These two.” She doesn’t spare me a glance as I point them out, and accepts a pen from Saskia to underline the addresses, though they look more like lightning bolts.
“Stop,” she grumbles.
“I didn’t say anything.”
“I can practically feel the arrogance radiating off you.” I snicker, and Elowen quickly changes the subject. “I don’t want anyone in Vareveth knowing my guards betrayed me. We won’t be able to hide it from Aestilian, but the nobles here hate me, and I don’t want their malice extending to my people through rumors they orchestrate to cause chaos within the kingdom. There are still a handful of citizens and soldiers that are wary of me, but perhaps they’ll warm over time since many are loyal to Cayden.”
“Anyone loyal to me will never harm you. I’ve made sure they know the consequences.”
“I’m the daughter of your enemy—their enemy—sitting on the throne of this kingdom.”
“And they will die a thousand deaths when their hatred reaches my ears.” My lip curls. “A thousand more if they contemplate harming you.”
Saskia sighs, but I don’t remove my eyes from Elowen as Saskia speaks. “You can’t use that remedy for every issue.”
“It’s effective.”
“He’s got a point there,” Ryder tacks on.
Saskia continues over us, “As king and queen you need to consider your public image. Something I’m aware you’ve never cared about.”
Elowen stands from the couch, cocking a hip and propping her hand on it. “When you invoked the marriage clause you erased the divide between king and commander. You cannot simply kill your way through Eagor’s role because it vexes you.”
“The nobles will never love us, but they will fear us. I’ll have their compliance, or I’ll have their heads. If a king can be replaced, anyone can.” I step around the couch, closing the distance between us, forcing her to look up at me. “I didn’t rise in rank by making friends with the right people, I did so by killing the right ones when necessary.” Her lips part as she looks up at me, eyes flicking between mine. “And anyone who wishes you harm is the perfect one.”
“There it is!” Saskia exclaims, rising from the chair so suddenly it startles Elowen as she turns, making her fall back into my chest. I wrap an arm around her waist to keep her here. “That’s what’s been missing this week!”
