Page 166 of A Crown of Lies

Ruith shook his head. “Aryn, what happened out there?”

Aryn glanced over at Will, Brick, and Faelyn, who were hanging on their every word. He gestured to the office, ushering everyone inside and shutting the door before speaking again. “Emmanthe has taken control of the Shikami.”

“What?” Isheda paled. “How?”

“It was a bloody fight, and not without its cost, but they will follow her.” He leveled an uncertain gaze at Ruith. “I have been banished, my record cleared. The contracts I held have been vacated.”

“Then… You’re free?” Ruith held his breath.

Aryn nodded once. “Although I’ve lost access to all Shikami resources, I expect Emmanthe will be a reliable ally, even if I cannot access her. That doesn’t stop the rest of you from using her and her resources.” He looked over at Niro. “She confirmed it was Elmon Redrock who hired them. Interfering with Primarch elections is against the Shikami code. Everyone involved—aside from Redrock himself—was slain.”

“I don’t care,” Niro said, his voice cracking with emotion. He shook his head as he stepped up to Aryn, putting his hands on either side of Aryn’s face and tilting his head up. “You and Saya are both back at my side where you belong.”

Aryn’s face flushed. He glanced over at Ruith before gripping Niro’s hands, gently lowering them. “About that… We need to talk, Niro.”

Ruith cleared his throat. “Well, if everything is done… I’d like to take my son and his companions back to the clan house before it gets too late. We’ll have a busy few days ahead of us.” He narrowed his eyes at Aryn. “You’ll be back at the Deepfrost clan house before midnight.” It wasn’t a question, and it wasn’t quite an order, but Ruith wanted to make sure Aryn knew he was serious. He didn’t want them separated. Not now, when everything had finally come together.

“Before dawn,” Aryn promised instead.

Ruith snorted. “I’ll take it. Just… don’t be seen. We still have two days. I don’t want anything else to go wrong.”

“Areyouhurt?”Merciaasked Saya. She guided her to the cushioned bench and went to fill the tub, spinning the handles.

“Only my pride.” Saya turned away, cheeks red. “I can’t believe how easily they took me. I should have fought them. I should have done something, anything but just let them take me.”

While the water ran, Mercia went back to Saya, kneeling in front of her. She turned Saya’s head back to her with a gentle touch to her cheek. “They were Shikami, Saya. You would’ve only gotten hurt.”

Her cheeks flushed brighter, and she finally met Mercia’s eyes. “You would have fought. You’re so brave, Mercia and I… I’m just a coward who makes copies of old books. I can’t do anything right. I can’t even…” She choked, tears shining in her eyes.

Mercia sat up on her knees and kissed Saya’s lips. “You don’t have to do anything, Saya.”

The tears fell, and she wiped them away. “Yes, I do. I have to get pregnant, Mercia. I have to have children with Niro.”

“No, you don’t,” Mercia said, shaking her head. “Saya, you don’t.”

“But what about my duty to the clan?” Saya gasped, starting to hyperventilate. “Vinolia… she said… She called me a failure. Demanded I do my duty. I wasn’t a very good mage, and I’m not strong or brave like you. I’m not beautiful. She’s right, Mercia. This is all I’m good for! What other purpose do I have but to provide heirs?”

Mercia gripped Saya’s face in her hands. “Listen to me, Saya. That old bitch is wrong. You are strong, and you are beautiful, and you are so incredibly brave. You had to be to get through this. And you don’t have to have any children if you don’t want to. You have so much value beyond that.”

“I-I do? Like what?” Saya sniffled, calming slightly.

Mercia shrugged. “Whatever you want. You can study to become a chef like you wanted, or reproduce more rare books with your magic. You can do whatever makes you happy.” She gathered Saya’s hands in hers. “We’re so much more than our bodies, Saya. There is no higher duty than the duty to pursue happiness for oneself. Vinolia Runecleaver has a hundred grandchildren. Let them make babies for her. Fuck her and fuck all this bullshit about duty to the clan! What about you? What makes you happy, Saya?”

Saya blinked and then reached up to push away tears with her palm, smiling sweetly. “You do, Mercia.”

Warmth spread through Mercia’s chest, and then her heart sank. She reached to tuck some of Saya’s hair behind her perfect, pointed ear. “I’m happy with you too, Saya. I was so worried when you were gone. But…”

Saya lowered her head, staring at where their hands were joined. “But you have a life. With Aryn. In Brucia.”

Mercia nodded slowly, her heart aching. “I have to go back. The children need me, and my queen needs me.”

“And Aryn needs you,” Saya said, pulling away.

“It’s not like that, Saya. I’m not choosing him over you.” She sighed. “Maybe we can find a way to make this work over distance.”

Saya frowned. “How? Brucia is so far away.”

“Not so far that there won’t be trade caravans coming back and forth every few months. We can come for visits, and you can come to see us. I’m sure the new Primarch will have every excuse to work closely with his allies in Brucia after this. We will find a way if that’s what you want.” She took Saya’s hands again and squeezed them, pulling her to her feet. “But first, let’s get you cleaned up and reunited with your husband.”

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