Page 124 of Wings of Ash & Flame
What he didn’t say washisinterests.
“And that would be?”
A cold, calculated smile spread across Dexter’s face. “I’ll put in a good word with the Consortium, vouch that you are who you allege and have no interest in reclaiming your throne. In return, you must agree to support Elithian should the need arise. House Ashfyre will answer our call when we require your phoenix’s unique abilities.”
Alaire’s stomach twisted. Of course he wanted to use them for his agenda. “You mean you want us as your weapon.”
“Think of it as a mutually beneficial agreement.” His smile widened.
“Beneficial for you,” she muttered, playing up her disappointment at his terms. “Doesn’t seem like there’s any upside for me.”
“Tsk, Alaire, you’re looking at this the wrong way. Everything is about perspective, after all.”
She gritted her teeth to keep from snapping a retort. Was that a dig at her argument with Caius?
“You’ll continue your education, for one,” Dexter replied. “If your magic fully manifests, you’re in the ideal place to learn to harness and wield it.”Meaning he hoped it didn’t.“The powers of a phoenix are legendary. Trying to understand them on your own would be dangerous and foolish. Not to mention, being at Aeris Academy keeps you safe from external threats.”
He leaned forward. “The vampires went to ground after Starfall, believing the Vallorian line extinguished. War has resumed, with all Elithian as the target this time. Harboring you here is an opportunity for a powerful ally, but it carries equal risk if they discover you’re here. After all, you survived when the Voidshade Sovereign did not. And this is your chance to prove to the Consortium that you are an ally, not an enemy.”
Alaire glanced at Dawson. His expression was unreadable, as though he refused to even acknowledge her presence. Whatever emotion had cracked through earlier was gone, replaced by the cold mask she knew all too well. It was like watching the tide recede after a fleeting surge, leaving only the icy walls he preferred to hide behind.
He was a gorgeous enigma who confused her as much as he fueled her.
“You expect me to take you at your word?”
“Hardly.” Dexter chuckled. “That’s why we’re having this meeting with witnesses—Headmaster Carth and the Prince of House Aetheris. This is the only guarantee I can offer you, which is more than you can offer in return. You’re in a precariousposition, Alaire. You need allies and protection. I’m offering both.”
“These people are loyal to you, not me.” Alaire’s fingers drummed against her thighs. They thought her a pawn, blind to their strategy to checkmate their king. Too ignorant to notice the queen.
Dawson’s eyes bored into her, but she ignored him. Whatever came next was hers alone.
“Welcome to politics, Your Majesty,” Dexter said haughtily. “Might is often the most effective weapon when ruling a kingdom.”
Alaire forced a deep breath. This was exactly what she’d expected when the Consortium sent a mouthpiece to clip the wings of their newest threat.
Her fingers curled into her palms. Fierce determination burned hot whenever someone tried to corner her. Let him think he held all the cards—that she didn’t see the game for what it was.
She’d play along, biding her time under the guise of completing her education. She still needed to uncover how she’d survived Starfall, the connection between her past and Professor Ross’s files, and most importantly, to understand her magic.
With Solflara at her side, she was protected. But it wasn’t enough—not if she couldn’t wield aether. That was why she was willing to stomach Dexter’s poisonous offer.
She would take what she needed from Aeris Academy. Ensure she was prepared for what lay ahead.
Worst case, Solflara could get them out. But first, she’d try a different way. There was power in bloodless victories too.
She didn’t trust Dexter as far as she could throw him.
“Fine,” she said. “You have a deal. I’ll uphold my end with one minor adjustment. I want my record expunged, personally. As monarch, according to Cielorian law, I am to be grantedimmunity during my time on Cielore’s soil. I’ve been here the last fifteen years.”
His smile faltered for a millisecond. She’d nearly shouted in triumph when she found that footnote buried in the Australe Library. She wasn’t ashamed of why she’d been sent to Grimstone Penitentiary—she had done the right thing. But she wouldn’t let any record hinder her future.
“Don’t worry, Alaire,” Dexter said smoothly. “That’s already been seen to by another. I warned you—you were on our radar. Wouldn’t want that getting out and harming your image.”
The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. She felt Dawson’s glare like heat against her skin, but she shoved it aside. If he wanted to act as if she didn’t exist, she could do the same.
“If you’re referring to the time I was arrested for stopping a fae guard from whipping a human boy scavenging food on the Night of Remembrance—a night no fae should’ve been in the human districts—then I’d be happy for all of Cielore to know how the Consortium’s guards violate the constitution. If they’re abusing that law, which others are they failing to uphold?” Alaire smiled sweetly.
Dexter’s eyes burned with suspicion, but he said nothing, only watched her with renewed interest.
