Page 54 of Crown of Iron
The last bit of doubt I have in Kyron vanishes. My father loved him so much he treated him as one of his own. All the important lessons he taught me, he shared with him. If the man who means the most to me thought so highly of Kyron, then I'm compelled to do the same. He is the right person to take my father's place and lead the army.
“You know, Abrum taught me that as well, to never fold when I know something is right. That's why we have a council meeting in four days to begin strategizing how to bring him home. No more playing it safe. It's time to go in and get him,” Kyron says, batting the hot ball with his fingertips.
I miss the flame, and it burns out before hitting the ground. “I don't suppose you would allow me to attend,” I say, struggling to speak around my heart pounding in my throat.
He steps beside me, matching my pace. “It’s for commanding officers only. Unless…” He cocks an eyebrow. “You plan to pull rank again.”
“No,” I say, shaking my head. “I'm not doing that anymore. I'm no better than the other soldiers, and I want to earn my place here just as they have.”
“You've earned your place here, Raelle. Never doubt that,” he says with a sidelong glance.
“I just don't want them to view me differently by spouting some stupid future queen bullshit. I should be in on the council meeting because I have some insight into what's going on between Micah and Esmeray.”
He stops walking and asks, “What do you mean?”
“I knowthings, but to find out you're going to have to invite me to the meeting.”
He scans my stoic expression. This is my in, my guarantee that I can join in the rescue mission and push things along. I place a hand on my hip while holding his gaze, and one side of his mouth pulls into a smile. “You're bribing me into inviting you?”
“I'm saying I know things I'm not at liberty to share unless it's at the meeting.”
He laughs and drapes his arm over my shoulders, leading me off the field. “I think you just bargained your way into your first officer's meeting, princess.”
It's not exactly the tactic I want to use, but this is too important. I can give them insight to Micah and minimize the trouble they could get into for planning a mission behind the king's back. When it comes down to it, I can take the brunt of the blame, and we can all get what we want.
Nineteen
My boots pound against the floor as I race through the hub’s hallways, sidestepping soldiers and tightly rounding the corners. I skid to a stop at the main strategy room door and wipe my palms on my pants. Grabbing the handle, I crack the door open, and my heart rate speeds to a sprint. All heads turn in my direction, and the officers fall silent. I disguise my embarrassment by squaring my shoulders and holding my chin high as I ease into the empty chair next to Leif.
“You're late,” Kyron says from the head of the long dark-wood table.
“Time just got?—”
He cocks an eyebrow, showing no interest in my excuse.
“My apologies, General LeFur,” I say, folding my hands on the tabletop.
I forced my way into this meeting, yet I couldn't make it on time. I was caught up in my training with Wel. The drill sergeant's gift isn't strong, but I enjoyed sending the small balls of light into the sky where they burst into blinding flashes. It's just a matter of time before I can summon the gift of another instead of relying on them to activate it. The energy sits just out of my reach, like a word on the tip of my tongue. And when I can completely control others’ powers, I'll be unstoppable.
Greer clears her throat and says, “The issue we face with any rescuemission is Abrum's desire to leave Stigian. He has a reason for being there, and if we don't eliminate that reason, he won't pass across the border.”
Along with a promise to call a truce to anoint the next in line for their thrones, Micah and Esmeray agreed to leave their borders open to those who wish to cross them, binding the agreement with the Statera. They can't march their army into the other's kingdom and unwillingly take the people. It's the reason the Stigians present such a tempting offer to Khiros and Cyffreds alike, and why they invade our lands. The harder life is in Lucent, the more desperate the people will become to leave. Our war is not only about freedom, but it is also a numbers game. The more Cyffreds the Stigians possess, the stronger their Khiros forces. And when Lucent is nothing more than a few small villages, Esmeray will make her move to dethrone Micah and take from every Cyffred.
Kyron runs his hands through his hair and leans back in his seat. “I've searched Abrum's office high and low and have found nothing pointing to his reason for going.”
“My father doesn't have what Esmeray wants; Micah does,” I mumble.
Everyone in this room knew my secret before my confession to Kyron. For more than a month, they have taken me into their rankings and treated me like I'm no different from the next soldier. I desperately don't want things to change, but this is greater than my desire for acceptance.
Leif squeezes my knee, and I exhale a long breath before continuing. “I heard Esmeray say she’ll exchange this item for my father. We just need to find it.”
The older officer I met in Leif's office the night of the attack at Lake Holly speaks up. “We could be charged with treason if word gets back to the king. How do you propose we discover what this item is and keep him in the dark, Your Grace?”
I flinch at the formality, but hold my voice steady, saying, “I have access to Micah, and no one will think twice about seeing me wander the palace. I just have to return home.”
“Raelle?” Leif whispers, his voice seeping with concern.
“It's all right. I'll tell them I was in over my head.” I meet Kyron's gaze and give him a weak smile. “You’ll have done your job with me.”
