Page 146 of A Promise of Peridot
“We’re discussing who should travel back to Citrine to appeal to Isolde and Broderick,” Eardley said. “See if that changes anything for them regarding their armies.”
“My father should go,” Amelia suggested from her seat, feet propped leisurely atop a trunk of swords. “He’s the closest with King Broderick. They won’t work with the lot of you.”
“My daughter is right,” Eryx said. “King Broderick was only hostile because of your history, Kane. He’ll listen to reason when it comes from me alone. We’re old friends.”
“Are you?” Kane asked, mocking. “I so wish you’d tell us more often.”
Before a reddening, blustery Eryx could respond, Lieutenant Eardley said, “I fear they may refuse even King Eryx asylum in Azurine.”
“Send him with Prince Fedrik,” Kane instructed. “Lazarus will never know of one extra passenger aboard his ship, and Queen Isolde and King Broderick only fear the optics.”
Griffin folded his arms across his chest. “Where is the prince?”
“He left with a convoy to Sandstone,” Eardley said. Sandstone was a port town on the coast where an Onyx ship would surely bring him back to Citrine. “If we move very quickly, King Eryx just might make it in time to travel with Prince Fedrik’s vessel.”
“Go, then,” Kane said.
A small thrill of admiration ran along my spine and up my neck. I loved seeing Kane in his element. He was good at this—strong and effective, inspiring both fear and hope in equal measure.
Eardley dipped his head and pulled his skull-like helmet from the cluttered table before departing. Eryx, too, bid us farewell, butnot before adding, “Amelia, do as you are told while I’m away. I do not want to hear that you were difficult.” The expression on Amelia’s face at her father’s final words turned my stomach sour. I looked away.
“That just leaves Mari,” Kane said.
“Me?” She cowered slightly, which even Ryder cocked his head at.
“I’d like you to return to Briar’s manor and study under her. It’s been a long while since I’ve had a talented witch by my side in battle, and we’ll need just that if we are to defeat Lazarus.”
Mari paled so severely she looked like she might collapse again, but before I could rush over to her, she said, “Of course.”
“Good. Commander Griffin, see to it that she arrives before nightfall.”
“I’ll come visit,” I said to her.
Mari looked anything but reassured. But Griffin had already homed in on Mari like a hawk. Protective, concerned—studying her as she chewed her lip. I knew he would ensure Mari was cared for.
“Arwen and I are chasing down one final lead on the blade. We’ll communicate through ravens and spies.” Kane faced me and took my hand once more. “Ready?”
But I spied my brother, his brow furrowed as he inspected something alongside Amelia.
Kane had been right. And Mari, too. I had let my own insecurities foster jealousy and resentment toward him for too long. I didn’t want to be that person anymore. “I just need to do one thing first.”
“I’ll meet you at the gate.”
I released Kane’s hand and slipped over to Ryder. “What’s going on here?”
“None of these little boys know what a boomerang is.” Amelia showed off the curved weapon to me.
“Neither do I. Should I be terribly ashamed?”
“No, you aren’t a soldier. Nor did you say youknew every weapon in existence or you’d give me twenty coinand then fail to produce said coin.”
Amelia’s light eyes cut to Ryder harshly and he grinned. “I told you I’m good for it.”
I smiled a bit. “Don’t hold your breath.”
Ryder frowned at me.
“You throw it,” Amelia explained, “and it returns to you, without any magic. So you can reach enemies without the close proximity of swordplay.”
