Page 122 of A Kingdom of Fire and Fury
Kieran looked at Luther, who gave him a wave of approval. “There’s no need for secrecy when we’re fucked,” Luther said.
Which wasn’t what I wanted to hear at all.
Kieran didn’t look as disturbed by the news as the rest of us did. “Now that the location of the eggs is fully compromised, the time for playing it safe is over. Of course we need to avoid a battle between dragons if possible, but Andova is bringing their dragons over as we speak. They’re willing to take the risk, and we can’t ignore that. We need those eggs, or they’ll challenge us to another war. And if they get those eggs… we’ll be oneven footing for the first time in a century.”
“We already know this.” Luther scowled.
Kieran wasn’t fazed by the retort. “At the moment, the eggs are being transported in the underground tunnels around Caddel Province. You should send a raven to divert them to somewhere in Benson.”
Luther motioned for him to continue. “Why?”
Kieran’s eyes glinted. “Because Caddel Province is celebrating The New Era festival in sixteen days. Since Andova already has eyes on House Caddel, it’s better the eggs be placed somewhere in House Benson. They’ll probably assume we’ll transport the eggs far away—closer to the capital or even in Markos Province. If we place the eggs close by House Caddel, it’ll make retrieving the eggs easier.”
Luther frowned. “What are you proposing?”
“It won’t look out of the ordinary for me to go to the festival. Then, I can retrieve the eggs after the festival and hopefully avoid any bloodshed. Even better, since we had to leave early, Selena and I can go under the guise of continuing her gryphon luring training.”
My eyes widened. Did that mean…?
“Selena and I returning for the festival is our best option for not outright starting another war. This is the best strategy—as long as Andova doesn’t get the eggs before then.”
I felt as if I’d been dunked in ice. I shouldn’t have felt so betrayed. And yet, here he was volunteering me to be bait on a dangerous mission where he couldn’t guarantee my safety. All without asking me.But itmakes sense. Itisour best option.Fuck, I couldn’t even be totally pissed.We’re going to talk about this.
Luther’s gaze cut to mine. “Your thoughts, Selena?”
I blinked. “I… I think it’s our best shot.” As much as I didn’t like it, if Andova got those eggs… my sister wouldn’t be safe. Even if war couldn’t be avoided, it would be best if our dragons outnumbered theirs.Damn you, Kieran, you manipulative jerk.
Luther nodded approvingly. “Then it’s settled. You two will go to the festival in fifteen days. When you two go, Kieran will retrieve the eggs and then shadow travel to me as quickly as possible. We’ll try to avoid a dragon fight, but if it must happen, then I expect you to lay down your lives.”
I raised my chin. “I want Clara to come live at the castle.” My words sucked all the life out of the room.
Luther tightened his grip on his chair. “Do you really want to start this up again, Selena?”
I folded my arms. “You want me to lay down my life. I will for the good of the kingdom, but no more playing games. If I’m going to be in the dragonsguard, then I shouldbein the dragonsguard. I’ve succeeded in missions. I’ve become your Siren, and my Gift has helped kill gryphons.AndI’m going to help Kieran get the dragon eggs foryou. What more do you want from me, Luther? I’ve proven my loyalty a hundred times over.”Minus one murder attempt.But he didn’t know that.
Luther’s lip curled. He leaned forward, and I braced myself for his venom.
“She has a point.” Kieran spared me a meaningful glance before straightening his shoulders. “The rest of us have been rewarded for our loyalty, and we’ve happily served. Selena is a major asset. She’s followed all of your orders without delay. As her captain, I can vouch for her service. She’s been nothing but focused.”
It took everything I had not to look at Kieran. Warmth flooded my veins, but I kept it under lock and key. Luther couldn’t know how much we meant to each other.
“Fine,” Luther spat. “She will come to the castle within a week,butshe will only be staying if you succeed in your mission. You will not fail.”
I raised my chin. “I won’t.”
“But, uh, what’s the plan?” Ben folded his arms. “Totally for the sister reunion, but I feel like we could use some more details on the actual ‘avoid-the-war’ mission.”
I shot him a look, but Ben wasn’t focused on me but Luther.
“Since a dragon has been spotted, they won’t think anything of the dragonsguard being sent out to patrol. We’ll keep this up starting tonight and for the duration of the festival.” Luther straightened his shoulders. “Even without the eggs involved, this is a slight thatcannotbe dismissed. If you see a dragon,fireon them. You will patrol in pairs, so that an Andovan rider will be outnumbered and forced to back off. During the festival, we’ll spread out our members, so that they’re close by should the worst arise. We’ll also have Selena go out to train her powerswhile we wait for the festival, to ease the fears of any lingering spies.”
“So we’re doing nothing?” I scoffed. “That can’t be the right move.”
Luther’s eyes flashed. “You’ll do well not to challenge me, girl. I’ve studied battle tactics while you were struggling on the streets. If we act suspiciously, they will learn our tactics. Especially if we have a leak in our army. I don’t doubt thisRavenis involved. We need them to feel relaxed and secure. An all-out battlemustbe avoided at all costs. Even with the patrols, we will give a warning but try your best not to engage. We cannot afford to lose any dragons.”
Dragons. Not people.Of course.
Luther studied me. “For the festival, only Nimue will remain at the castle. Gareth will be stationed at his castle. Ben will patrol the border. Aurelia and I will be at her home castle, but we will meet at Treave, in the Caddel Province as it’s perfectly in the middle between the two castles, and Selena and Kieran will be at the festival. Should a battle be called, we will have our dragons nearby.”
