Page 26 of Empire of Death
“Kindness and cruelty are one and the same sometimes.”
He continued to stare at me, somewhat winded, his thoughts hidden behind his eyes.
“You will not speak of this conversation to Lily.”
“Or what?”
“I will offer no punishment if you do, but if you want to prove to me and the world you’re ready to serve your sister as a general with her as your queen, you will keep it to yourself. You will take this opportunity to rectify your ways and lead in this war.”
His eyes remained locked on mine, clearly unsure what to make of me. “What do you want from her?”
All of her. For an eternity or the blink of a mortal life. “As I said, our goals are aligned.”
“Aligned enough to provoke a mortal who’s never sought your audience?”
He was smarter than I gave him credit for. Had a quick mind like his sister, critically analyzed situations at lightning speed because he didn’t give in to the panic like so many others. Suspicion danced across his eyes.
“She’s my ally in this war.”
“But gods don’t care about the wars among men.”
“Heed my warning or don’t. Choice is yours.”
“I don’t believe you. What do you want with my sister?—”
I vanished from his presence, immediately masked by the darkness of Xian, a loud shriek coming from somewhere in the distance, far into the black forest that only those who were mad ever tread.
10
LILY
I got a late start that morning and ended up at the nearby pub across from the inn. I felt ridiculous wearing my armor everywhere I went, knowing people wouldn’t receive me very warmly if I appeared guarded all the time, so I went in just my pants, shirt, and boots. I ordered a pint of beer and whatever they were serving in the kitchen that day.
Zehemoth’s voice came into my mind.Hawk is looking for you.
He is?I blurted, expecting not to hear from him unless it was against his will.I’m at the Wooden Leg pub house.
I’ll let him know.
The pub was mostly empty because most people were busy earning a living, not sitting on their asses drinking ale in the middle of the day. My stomach had growled after I ordered, but when the waitress brought my lunch, I lost my appetite, unsure what to expect from Hawk when he showed up.
The double doors opened, and sunlight came through for just an instant. He was fully dressed in his armor with his sword acrosshis back, choosing caution over sense. I was easy to spot, so he headed over and dropped into the chair across from me.
All my muscles were tense in preparation for whatever he had to say, but I kept a straight face like I could handle another argument.
But he waved the waitress over and ordered an ale like he intended to stay around for a while. He rested both of his arms on the table as he looked at me. “What’s the plan?”
My eyes shifted back and forth between us, utterly dumbfounded by what he said. “Sorry, what?”
“Are we going to fight for the Brigandine Empire to secure their alliance, or are we going to move on elsewhere?” When the waitress came over with his tankard, he immediately took a drink like he was parched.
We seemed to have skipped a conversation somewhere along the way. “Aren’t you mad at me right now?”
“I was, but I got over it.”
“Got over it?” I asked. “You never get over anything.”
He took another drink of his tankard before he wiped the corner of his mouth with his thumb. He didn’t have sleeves or exposed skin because he was covered from head to toe in armor that seemed completely unnecessary. “You’re right. Dad picked you to succeed him, and I continue to push back like it’s up for debate. I need to let it go.”
