Page 45 of Of Vows and War: Special Edition
“Are you saying I am wrong?”
He did not answer me for a while, instead choosing to mercilessly attack.
“I think you gave the answer most would.” Xavier took another piece as he spoke, the corner of his mouth lifting in a smirk. As if he had won already.
“And that is somehow not the correct one?” I hissed, moving next.
“I agree that there is an advantage to making the first move. I also think it creates a false sense of security. That those who go into a battle thinking they have won are often too short-sighted to truly do so. Even worse, those who believe they will lose often do.” Another of my pieces done. Xavier was moving too quickly, and I was out of practice. “Life is a game of strategy, just as chess is. Your mind is your greatest strength and your heart is your greatest weakness.”
“So you think it is psychological?“ I asked, my eyes darting across the board, trying to see a way free of the place he had backed me into.
“I think that I have beaten you with the black pieces enough to know that anyone can win. There is no such thing as a guaranteed victory. If your enemy is smart, then there is no such thing as an advantage either.” With that Xavier moved again, and I was trapped. “Checkmate.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Asher
We docked on the Western side of Isle Shifter, fae everywhere staring at the gold-accented ship that flew a flag bearing the fae sigil.
Each Isle had only one port. One legal place where they could come and go. A singular strip of the beach for exit—or escape. All four ports faced The Capital.
“Ready?” Sterling asked from my side. He held my hand in his, the two of us crowned in gold. We were a united pair, a happily married couple.
“Oh definitely. Cannot wait to be paraded around like a doll,” I answered, wiping my free hand on my skirts and probablystaining them with my sweat. “Look, they even got us all dressed up.”
“So kind of them. Maybe they will also throw us a tea party and move our hands for us next.” Sterling’s hand gripped mine tighter, offering a squeeze of reassurance. No amount of joking could make this easier. I was finally about to see the realm I was raised to rule one day, and I did so while actively unsure if I was insane or just being lied to.
Every hour it seemed as if the former was the truth.
A flash of orange caught the corner of my eye, and then there she was. Mia towered over me, standing as tall as Sterling. She was a lean and foreboding sight, even her smile dazzling in the most horrifying way. Her ears came out to a point, parting her hair, and her eyes shone crystal blue in the light of day.
“Remember, we stay close together and maintain our smiles.” Mia paired her words with an even wider baring of her teeth. “That means you, Asher.”
Looking up at her, I proceeded to smile as widely as I could. Xavier came to her side, laughing lowly as he watched.
“That is absolutely terrifying. Maybe we should allow her to simply not frown or glare.” Sterling let out a soft chuckle at Xavier’s words, making Mia bristle and rage.
“You are all unbearable. Now walk off this dock and act like the royal family we are.” With that, Mia lifted her chin and began making her way to Isle Shifter. The three of us held awkward eye contact for a moment, none of us wanting to be the first to follow.
Xavier broke, scoffing and hurrying to take his place at her side. She did not speak, only lifted her hand. He offered his arm for her to grab, and the two of them descended the stairs that connected the dock to the beach. Sterling let out another chuckle before giving me his arm too.
“Well, sounds like it is time to party,” he whispered near my ear.
“Ah yes, so much fun to be had among those who either fear or worship me.” With one last huff of displeasure, I wrapped my hand around his arm and we followed the royals before us.
Luscious greenery surrounded the area, a bold blue sky above us. Fae were everywhere, all openly gawking our way. They stared on like we were beasts that might eat them. All except for one.
A male stood not far from the spot where Mia and Xavier stepped onto the wooden dock, eyes keen as he surveyed us. He styled his hair in two braids, the long coffee brown plaits disappearing behind his shoulders. He wore a vest the color of the foamy sea upon the shore, his dark brown arms visible. Tattoos swirled across his skin, patterns and zigzags cutting through here and there. They were as extraordinary as Shah’s, but the clean lines and cohesiveness seemed to be generational rather than personal. I tried to think back to if I had ever seen markings like that on a Shifter or any fae that traveled through Academy or the market. But I could not think of any.
My heeled shoes stuck in the sand as we walked, Mia not so much as stumbling in her own. She halted before a tall female with hair that acted as a dome around her head, the gorgeous curls so small that they were almost indistinguishable. She, too, had deep-colored skin, her smile broad as she bowed low in welcome. Her beige tunic and skirt split to reveal her navel when she straightened. It was almost scandalous here in Betovere.
How wonderfully normal it would have been in Eoforhild.
Something wrapped around my feet just as I stopped before the female, Wrath’s voice traveling up to my ear on a phantom wind.
“Still using false names, are you?”
I did not dare look down at him or respond with so many eyes on me. But I did allow my teeth to grind, the act making the pain in my head shoot down to my jaw and spine.
