Page 66 of Steeling Light
Maeve takes the torch from Casimir and sets the line of pitch aflame. My heart cracks as the fire climbs the pyre. Cole Cyrus was the best of us, the strongest, the most driven. And now he’s gone into the void. Now, when everything can be rebuilt, he doesn’t get to see it. After a lifetime of struggle and pain, he won’t get to experience the joy of seeing his work completed.
That’s the saddest part of it. He was strong for so long, and now that it’s done, he doesn’t get the triumph of victory. He doesn’t get to enjoy the splendor of a healing world like he should. Instead, he’s lost to the void, and his bond to Maeve won’t allow him to rest at all.
I look at the girl—no, the woman—that Maeve Arden has become. She was just a Wyrdling when I met her. Unknowing of our world. Powerless. Prey. Now, she istheQueen. There is not a King or Queen more powerful than her. Rhion will take his father’s place, but he isn’t like her. He is not driven to change the world. Echo is a child who will need even more guidance than Maeve did. And who will replace Cole? Who will sit on the Throne of Flame?
Yes, the stupid Wyrdling is gone, and a true Queen stands watching her husband burn. I may have only known her for a year, but I called her friend. Her heart and soul are breaking even though she stands stoically by the pyre. The bond between Rhion and me has shown me just how bad it would hurt to lose him.
The flames burn beautifully, a raging inferno, and I’m glad Cole received this send off. He deserves a crowd watching him depart this world.
It only makes me cling to Rhion more. He looks down at me, not saying a word, but through our bond, I can feel his emotions.
Sadness for a lost friend. Happiness for the world we will live in now. Remorse for his part in Cole’s death. More than anything, though, is his need to keep me close, to keep me safe. His hand tightens around mine, and I feel safer. I feel loved.
“He was a good man,” Rhion whispers. “A better man than me.”
I shake my head. “No, a different man. He was the sun, and you are the moon. Just because he shone brighter than you, Rhion, it doesn’t mean he was any better. The moon doesn’t help the crops grow. It doesn’t give warmth to the people of the world. It isn’t even present on some nights. But is itbetter? I don’t think so. And remember that I was born in the City of Moonlight. Maybe I prefer silver to gold. Maybe that’s why I fell in love with you rather than him.”
Rhion’s only response is to squeeze my hand a little tighter, but I can feel his heart swelling inside him. I can feel the warmth of his emotions through the bond.
I don’t shed a tear for my closest friend, for my Prince, for the savior of our world. No, I can’t cry for him because his life and death are glorious. There are so many things worse than death.
But when I look at Maeve, I can’t keep the tears from welling up.
Chapter 38
Today I return to the void, and I leave the Steel Throne to you, Gethin. I have many regrets in my long life, but this isn’t one. I have done what I can to prepare you, but at some point, a man must stand on his own. A son will always be different from his father. May you live a long and happy life, son. Sidon will help guide you down the hard path in front of you. May your blade never fail, your armor never bend, and your strength never waver. I love you, son.
~Daegon Rahn, personal journals
Rhion
The claiming of a Throne is a quiet thing compared to the past three days. Today, the current Conduits—Maeve, Echo, and Casimir—publicly decided I should be the King of Steel. I spent hours talking to the various nobles and other Conduits, playing the part of the leader of the House of Steel, and it felt natural.
Ainslee was at my side the entire time, and while I’ve spent my life dealing with Court affairs, it was different this time. This time, it wasn’t my connection to my father that drew people toward me.
Having Ainslee at my side steadied me and made me feel more capable of filling my father’s shoes. There’s something about being around her that makes me remember that I’m not the weakling that my father has always said I was.
This is easier, and I’m glad to be away from the crowds. Here, it’s only the people closest to me. Ainslee and my generals. A few of the dwarves that I’ve worked with for centuries.
And the Throne, along with the one that lies inside it. Sidon the Strong. The creator of the House of Steel.
Everything is simpler, yet the very nature of tonight is so much more stressful. I may have been the natural choice for the next Conduit of Steel, but if Sidon doesn’t accept me, he’ll send me to the void rather than connect me to his power.
Ainslee’s standing next to me as I stare at the Throne silently. “You know that you’ll be accepted, don’t you?” she asks.
“No, I don’t. My father never accepted me.” I know that he’d begun to go mad even when I was a child, but that doesn’t change the effect of his degrading comments for my entire life. I don’t look at Ainslee, my vision constantly focused on my second greatest desire and greatest fear. “My father claimed I was a bastard, that my mother was just a whore, and that his blood never ran in my veins. That’s why I was so weak.”
“Your father was a cunt whose only goal was to hurt you. No one other than him doubts your bloodline. You’re the strongest person in the House of Steel. You’ve been the best leader in your House for as long as anyone can remember. Your soldiers love you. The people trust you. Your father didn’t want to give up his seat because he was an arrogant ass, and he made up reasons for it.”
I shrug. “Maybe you’re right, but it changes nothing. He was right about so much. He always knew things before anyone else. What if everyone else is wrong, and he was right? It wouldn’t be the first time. You can say a lot about him, but he was the greatest leader the…”
Ainslee steps in front of me, and while I can still see over her, I can’t ignore her. I look down into those beautiful forest-green eyes. “You stop that. Your father nearly ruined the world, and if you hadn’t killed him, he would have done it. You’re a far better leader and a far better man than he ever was. Don’t you dare doubt that ever again. Do you understand me, Rhion Rahn? Your father may have been strong, but there is more to leading a House than strength. Plus, you don’t know what it will be like when you claim the Throne.”
I purse my lips. Maybe she’s right. “You’ve become a lot feistier since Selithar. You never would have said that to me before.”
She grins at me and stands on her tiptoes to kiss me. I lean down and press my lips to hers for just a moment before she pulls away. “I think you inspired me to shine a little brighter.”
I smile at her, and she says, “But now I need to get a bit more wine, and you need to decide it’s time to sit on a Throne. You certainly won’t do that with me talking to you.” She runs her hand over my cheek before she walks to the table with the wine pitchers.
