Page 61 of Steeling Light
“You had Cole from the beginning, Maeve. You don’t know what it’s like when everyone you know is going along with it. And Maeve, you’re different. You’re…” I shake my head slowly. “There’s a reason that you and Cole work so well together. Not everyone is born to change the world and do impossible things. You fought the Nothing, something that was supposed to be impossible. Rhion wouldn’t have done that. I wouldn’t have either, though. Do you think I’m the enemy because I don’t have that inner whatever that you and Cole have? Or am I just an ally because I was lucky enough not to be Gethin’s daughter?”
“He tried to kill me,” she says weakly. “He tried to kill Cole.”
I stare into Maeve’s eyes, and I know I’m glowing a little. I feel alive in a way that I haven’t since set foot in Valinar. I’m fighting for the man I love, even if it’s just with words. My mother would be proud.
“You almost let me die in the void, and Cole was nearly dead when you finally gave up the war against the Nothing,” I say.
The silence is nearly overwhelming. I will protect the man I love from her accusations with truth. She never commanded me to coddle her. Especially when she’s wrong and simply doesn’t understand it.
Finally, when I think the tension has lasted long enough, I say, “I believe he is a good man. I believe he is being honest about not helping his father. At the same time, I gave you my loyalty, and if you command it, I will break the betrothal.”
She thinks again, but there’s no disgust or horror in her eyes any longer. She shakes her head. “No, Lee. I will not make this decision for you. You’ve seen into his mind just like I’ve seen into Cole’s. You know his heart better than anyone else, but Lee, you need to remember what’s at stake. If you’re wrong—if Rhion is using you—your decision could be the reason all of us die. Your heart could be the one to blame for the entire magical world’s death. I won’t make this decision for you because that’d be hypocritical after the emotional decisions I’ve made. Be sure of yourself, though.”
I am. If I’ve learned anything since I began my search for Vesta, it’s that only one person would give everything in the world for my happiness. Not Cole, and probably not even Darian, cares as much about me as Rhion does.
Then she says, “And Lee, you should have come to me immediately. It’s the eleventh hour, and I don’t have any choices now. You’ve spent how long with us? You’ve listened to how many meetings? If you were anyone else…”
If I were anyone else, I wouldn’t have come back. I would have gone with him. I didn’t, though. “I trust you as a friend and ally, but never put me in this place again. Myfriendwouldn’t put me in this kind of position.”
I don’t say the words that ache to be released.A friend wouldn’t question my love. She would trust that I hadn’t been tricked by the enemy. She’d be happy for me.
But she’s not just my friend. She’s my Queen.
“Thank you.” I say it as formally as possible and bow deeply. “I am deeply sorry that I’ve made you doubt my loyalty or friendship. Thank you for giving me your trust, and I won’t break it. I believe in Rhion, and after this battle, you will too. He’s…he’s wonderful. Rhion isn’t like Cole, but I never fell in love with Cole.”
She smiles at me, but I know she doesn’t trust me. It doesn’t matter. She’ll see. Soon enough, she’ll find out just how wonderful Rhion is.
Chapter 33
Choices are whatlifeis based on. I will force no one to take up a sword in my name. They must choose to be better, must choose to give their life in the service of Hope.
~Adelynne Emlyn, Edicts of Hope
Rhion
The Nothing has moved within a few hundred yards of the walls around Draenyth. Somehow the wards that have always protected the city are gone, and there’s nothing we can do to stop it from moving into the city.
But it’s stopped. Waiting just beyond the range of our archers, it lingers like a sick cloud. Soldiers on the walls know to use steel and flaming arrows against it. The thing is obviously magical, but what kind of magic?
I stand on the ramparts staring at the swirling tendrils of mist when my father’s familiar steps approach from behind me. I turn to look at him, and he ignores me. He wears the Steel Gauntlet on his left hand and carries no weapon, though I know he has the Brand and his sword hidden inside his body encased in bone.
“Gather all the soldiers. That mist holds Brenna Morvyn, Cole Cyrus, and his Wyrdling pet. They’ll attack the city soon, and you will command the walls.”
I stare at him and feel my body desperate to obey him, but I refuse it. “Command them yourself,” I spit back. “You may be able to kill me, but you can’t force me to fight for you. Never again.”
Immediately, it’s like someone has poured molten metal down my spine, and I clench my teeth to keep from crying out and giving him the satisfaction of my weakness. He doesn’t even look at me. He just stares at the mist as I was a few moments ago.
“You know, Rhion. I’m tiring of this insolence. By the day’s end, Cole Cyrus will be dead along with his Wyrdling pet. Their new little Shadow Queen will be in hiding. And I will wear the Painted Crown. Do you truly believe there’s any other possible ending to this day? I hold the relics that make their powers useless. And today is when you decide to defy me? When I’m on the cusp of victory? When all of my enemies are dead? I’ve always known you were weak, but now you’re showing me how stupid you are as well.”
I want to lash out at him, to draw my sword and fight him just like I did three days ago. My wrist burns in a perfect circle, and I glance down to see the oathmark glowing. If I were to attack my father, he might decide to kill me, and that would hurt Ainslee. I know deep in my soul that I can’t win a fight with him.
It reminds me that I have something to live for.Someone. “Good,” I say. “Maybe you’ll find someone else to replace me. I’m sure there are dozens of people who are far stronger and smarter than me. I wish you all the luck in the world, Father.”
He snarls and finally turns to look at me with a murderous gaze. He’s mad today, absolutely lost to the curse of the Throne. I don’t back down an inch, even as the searing pain in my spine threatens to put me on my knees.
“You will do as you’re commanded, Rhion Rahn. Or I will find a way to force you to.”
I manage a short laugh between gasping breaths. “Father, if I step onto the battlefield today, I will be sure I die to the first insignificant soldier that happens upon me. I will stop myself from healing. You might as well just kill me now if that’s your plan.”
