Page 41 of Empire of Death
“I apologize for my delay,” he said as he took a seat. “My wife is ill.”
“I hope it’s nothing serious,” I said.
“No.” His hands came together on the desk, fingers interlocked, his uniform rumpled because he’d dressed quickly. His hair was still matted from where he’d been lying on it in bed. “It happens every winter. She’s just…more sensitive to the cold.”
“Something you don’t have to worry about in the Southern Isles,” Hawk said.
“Yes, she’s mentioned that a couple of times, actually.” His eyes stayed on me even when Hawk spoke, a sign of respect. “How can I serve you, Your Majesty? I hope your father has safely returned to the Southern Isles.”
“He has,” I said. “Thank you for providing passage and guarding his ship.”
He gave a nod.
“I’ve just arrived from the Brigandine Empire to the east. They’ve agreed to provide aid in the coming war.”
“War?” he asked.
“The Barbarians that attacked Riviana Star will challenge the Southern Isles.”
“But Queen Eldinar made it sound as if most of their fleet was destroyed on their retreat.”
“Yes,” I said. “But there are many more. And I’m sure she mentioned their cursed blades and the dire effect they have on any of those who sustain an injury from their tips.”
His fingers tightened together further, and he gave a nod.
“I’m certain they will attack the Southern Isles, and we need to be prepared when they do. So I need you to prepare your army and your militia for imminent attack. The Brigandine Empire may arrive here first, so I ask that you provide them aid when they do.”
“You’re that concerned about this enemy?” he asked. “Yes, their blades are troubling, but the might of dragons can’t be challenged.”
“A good leader never assumes a victory. They fight hard like they’re outnumbered ten to one, even if they have the upper hand. I think it’s best to prepare for the worst instead of assume the best. I’ve fought them in the forest, and they’re strong fighters who wield cruelty with their blades. I’m not sure if their blades can pierce dragon scales, but if they can and they get close, that could be a terrifying outcome.”
“Perhaps. But dragons can sink their ships with fire.”
“Not if they’re made of gold,” I said. “I have a gut feeling that this battle will be more than we bargained for, so I’d appreciate it if you took it seriously.”
“I am taking it seriously, Your Highness.”
“If you’d been in the battle yourself, you would understand how foreboding they really are. So please prepare your army for an attack that can strike any moment.”
“Yes, of course, Queen Lily Rothschild,” he said.
Queen Eldinar has arrived. She’ll be there momentarily.
Thanks, Zehemoth.“Queen Eldinar has landed on the outdoor terrace. She’ll be here any minute.”
He gave a nod in understanding and fell silent. He didn’t fill the room with meaningless conversation, thankfully. I was too tired for that.
Callum continued to stand by the window, his big arms crossed over his chest, looking at me most of the time.
Queen Eldinar entered the room a moment later, dressed for the cold weather in a heavy white coat that looked like the snow that swirled outside the windows. She unbuttoned it then hung it on the coatrack before she entered farther into the study, dressed in the same armor I’d seen her wear for battle—except this was pristine, like it’d never seen war.
I rose to my feet to greet her, not as a fellow ruler, but as her niece. I hugged her tightly and felt her hug me even tighter. When I stepped away, she did the same with Hawk. She wasn’t our aunt by blood but marriage, but she always felt like a blood relative. She and my father had a strong friendship that was independent of my mother’s familial relation to her, so she’d always been special.
I remembered visiting Riviana Star as a child and thinking she was the most beautiful person I’d ever seen. Now that I was an adult, I watched my father interact with her, and while every other man, and even most women, appeared to be hypnotized by my aunt’s beauty, my father seemed completely immune to it.
Aunt Eldinar greeted Steward Eliam with a nod before she took a seat. “The steward and I haven’t spoken since we sent yourfather back to the Southern Isles. What news do you bring, Queen Lily Rothschild?”
I would never get used to people calling me that, especially my own aunt. I relayed to her everything I just shared with Steward Eliam. Shared my experiences at the Empire Colonies and the Brigandine Empire.
