Page 765 of Hell Hath No Fury
“Is that what you call it?” I whispered. “Blood and death. Is that victory, Lionel?”
“Of course, sire. They were your enemies. Set to oppose the throne. Rebels and insurgents. You did well to rid yourself of them before they attacked the palace,” Lionel said confidently, and it did something to ease the guilt in my chest. He was right. He had to be right, or else I could not live another day with myself.
Azriel made no comment, and I lifted my head, finding I needed his agreement on this to be sure, to lighten the load of my heart. His eyes were downcast, his posture tight and his hands curled into fists.
“Azriel?” I demanded and he looked up once more. “Do you agree?”
“It is not my place to say,” he said.
“Then I am making it your place,” I said firmly, a threat in my voice. “Do you or do you not agree that the Fae I burned were rebels?”
Azriel’s jaw ticked, and he glanced at Lionel who gave him a prompting look of encouragement. Azriel cleared his throat, turning to me again as he hovered on the verge of speaking, driving me to near insanity.
“Speak!” I barked, the monster in me rising.
“I do not know,” he said, his voice ringing out loudly. “I saw no evidence of that, so I do not know.”
“You are not privy to such evidence,” Lionel said lightly, waving a hand at him. “I was well informed before the decision was made to eradicate the threat. You must not doubt yourself, Your Highness. You have done marvellous things for Solaria; it is becoming as great as it was in the times of old. I for one, admire your decisiveness and your firm hand. It is what the kingdom needs to prosper.”
“The people are afraid,” Azriel said carefully. “Perhaps it is time for peace.”
“Peace?” Lionel tsked. “And what of the Kingdom of Voldrakia who are gearing up for war? They will invade us soon if we do not meet them head on. You are not a Councillor Azriel, it is not your place to speak as one. If you had it your way, we would all be under the rule of some foreign dictator within a week. King Vega is acting dutifully for Solaria, using his fearsome power to protect our nation and squash any threat against us. He is firming up our borders, squashing any rebellion caused by factions placed here by external forces which could cause harm to his subjects, and making certain that our great kingdom advances. As he should.”
Azriel opened his mouth, but I spoke before he could. “Leave us. I wish to speak with my Councillor alone.”
Azriel looked as if he wanted to protest, but then he bowed his head, turning and striding out of the throne room.
Lionel smiled, moving closer and clasping his hands at his back. “I can handle Azriel. If you would like, I could have him report to me directly and he will no longer need to bother you.”
I frowned, the idea impossible with Azriel’s secret position within The Guild, though it was more than that which brought on a protest in me. I loved Azriel as a brother. He was important to me, even when I lost sight of that from time to time.
“No, that won’t be necessary,” I said, and Lionel bowed his head in submission to my authority. “Tell me what news you have of the movements in Voldrakia.”
Lionel’s face became grave. “Their army is recruiting in the masses. War is imminent if we do not act soon, sire. Those vile Voldrakians want nothing but hell for us, if they ever got their grip on our land, they would seize our resources and persecute our people. Solaria is frightened of them, my king, horrified at the idea of them pushing into our borders. But I have fine news, as I have acquired the location of their army’s training grounds.”
“And?” I muttered.
He swept closer, moving to circle the throne before coming to stand at my side, his hand resting on my arm as he leaned down to speak in my ear. But before a word passed his lips, I rose from my seat, an idea coming to me as the veil of blackness in my mind peeled back a little.
“A treaty,” I decided. “I will travel to Voldrakia this very week and see what can be done for a treaty. If I can prevent a war, then we can all benefit from peace. Yes…” I latched onto the idea, seeing the good in it.
“But I am to marry next week,” Lionel said abruptly, and I turned back to him. “Will you not attend?”
“Ah, yes, forgive me… How about I offer you the palace for the ceremony? You may use it until my return.”
Lionel’s eyes widened and he nodded quickly, excitement sparkling in his gaze. “That is most generous of you, sire. I will of course greatly miss your presence at the wedding, but I will make sure the press are here to immortalise every moment of it.”
“Perfect,” I said, my mind turning back to my plans, my heart thumping with the hope that gilded them.This could make things right again.
“You should spend some time in Voldrakia,” Lionel suggested. “If you are going all that way to strike a treaty,then it would be best to form relationships with the Voldrakian emperor and his family. Take all the time you need. I will hold the fort while you are gone.”
“Thank you, Lionel.” I smiled a true smile, a rare thing to adorn my face these days. But at last, I had something to hold onto that could change the trajectory of my fate. I would travel light, take only a small host and when I returned to Solaria, I would damn well bring good news with me. I would prevent a war, protect my kingdom, and perhaps become the king I had once longed to be.
CHAPTER THREE
Merissa
Pride can often be the cruellest emotion of them all. To change the path of a prideful soul is the most difficult of challenges. But take heart in the light, for all who walk the darkest path will be rewarded with the brightest salvation in the end.
