Page 22 of Artemysia
A muscle in the king’s neck flinches, but he says nothing. I’ve made him uncomfortable, and he’s used to difficult decisions.
“Ms. Morrigan is a murderer,” the colonel on the other side of the king reminds the room. “She led a mutiny and killed her commander.”
I scoff. “Ivy is more capable of killing Syf than any other man or woman you’ve sent with me before. I’ve requested her in the past, but I insist now.”
“Again, her killing capabilities are not in question,” the colonel says dryly.
“If I’d had her last time, I’d have come back with two more men. I want her released and with me on this impossible mission.”
I know it’s negotiable. Especially for what they’re asking me to do.
The king lets loose a loud breath, seemingly weary of the whole thing and wanting to be done with it. Our meetings always end with that look, like a disappointed jail warden irritated that his longest-kept prisoner hasn’t reformed.
“Riev Wolfgang, if you’re willing to control her and you don’t think she’ll turn on you and kill you, you’re welcome to take her. I hear she has the dungeons in a constant riotous uproar. She’s been a pain in the ass for the guards.”
That sounds like Ivy. I almost smile, but it’s too much effort to fight my natural frown.
But Delphine interjects. “Sir, I would like someone from my squad to be the fourth.”
Oh, no. She has no idea what she’s getting into. Bringing someone else from her team is just more work for me.
Luckily, I’ve used up all the king’s patience for bargaining.
“No one else from your company, or any other company, has been recommended. The colonels agree you’re the only ones with any chance of survival and success…if you work with Riev,” he says grimly. “If this doesn’t work, there’s no one else.”
The colonels bob their heads like brainless pigeons.
Finally, the truth. I glance at Delphine to gauge her reaction. She should be frightened by now. It’s a hopeless task with little chance of reward. Endless risk, infinite danger. It’s not too late to back out, but I already know she isn’t one to back down from a challenge.
Her soft face falls, but she recovers quickly and squares her jaw. “But—”
“We’re done here. Captain Julian, you will act as superior officer of the team. You may decide on the chain of command.”
I won’t even be leading this sorry band? They have no experience in the woods, and I will have to followherorders? At this, I finally stand upright and tower over the king. My mouth opens to protest, but he reaches up and grips my shoulder with a heavy hand as a warning, and even I know better than to defy him now.
“Return to the feast,” he says with an authority that comes from two decades as king. His face is grave, the lines as deep as I’ve ever seen. “Thank you for accepting the mission. You’ll leave a week from tomorrow. As I said before, the fate of humanity rests in your hands.”
“He doesn’t let anyone into his cold, vicious heart—except to manipulate.” - King Galke
In a torrent of dark fury, Riev storms out, followed by the colonels. While Throg salutes the colonels outside the war room, King Galke summons me aside.
Shocked that the king would speak to me directly, alone, I compose my face into a neutral expression. Calm and collected.
He clears his throat but lowers his voice. “We need Riev, but don’t ever trust him. He’s dangerous. A man like that has no ties, no loyalties. He doesn’t let anyone into his cold, vicious heart—except to manipulate them for his own gain. We all have motivations, and he’s in it for himself. Riev has betrayed me before.”
His deep-set eyes shift toward the door, as if he’s afraid someone will overhear.
I nod once.
“Your innovative style of command has been noticeably successful. You’ve gained the trust of troops that otherscould not command, and your ratio of soldier deaths to Syf kills speaks for itself.”
King Galke does not dole out compliments lightly.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
He scratches his graying beard. “Half the colonels say that you’re too young and too inexperienced. That you’ll never be able to control Riev out there. The others believe you may be theonlyone who can do this. I side with them. But with the likes of Riev Wolfgang and Ivy Morrigan, you will need to break the rules.” His somber look doesn’t falter. “Gods know I have.”
Break the rules.
