Page 72 of Blood Sanctuary, Part Two

“I propose that we delay this vote until the next Autumn Equinox.” Cassia cleared her throat. “I am sure you all have questions about why I suggest this date.”

Konstantina held out her hand, palm up. “The Autumn Equinox is months from now. It is out of the question for us to do nothing in the meantime and endure whatever disasters may occur.”

“We will spend most of that time safe in Orthros Notou,” Cassia replied. “When we return to Orthros Boreou at Autumn Equinox, we can assess the new situation in Tenebra and make a better decision about the Departure.”

Uncle Argyros made the circle petition next. “What new situation might that be?”

“The reign of the new king I have chosen for my late sister’s subjects. I have arranged for apeacefultransfer of power. With help from my key allies who remain in Tenebra, Flavian of Segetia will take the throne from Lucis via legal, non-violent means.”

Lio could not have felt more relieved or proud to stand beside Cassia amid the crowd’s surprise and admiration. There were huffs of disbelief as well. But together, they had overcome those many times before.

“Who are these allies?” Hypatia demanded, her hand thrust out. “How can you attempt a change of government in Tenebra while you sit here in Orthros?”

Cassia looked from one section of the audience to another. “You have all become well acquainted with me since I arrived. I think you know I don’t just sit here.”

Some good-natured laughter went up.

Cassia smiled and continued. “My allies include handmaidens and seamstresses, household guards and knights errant, noble ladies and free lords. Before coming to Orthros, I laid the groundwork for overthrowing Lucis and putting a better king in his place. My partisans within the embassy will carry my signal back to Tenebra with them. Upon their return, my supporters will spring into action. Come summer, the Council of Free Lords will convene to revoke the mandate they once conferred upon Lucis. They will rally around Flavian, a young, admired figure with broad support among all factions of the nobility.”

Aunt Lyta displayed her palm. “I am confident you have taken precautions to prevent civil war. It will benefit the Circle to know the details.”

Cassia nodded. “Hadria is the backbone of royal military might, but Free Lord Hadrian’s loyalty is to stability, not Lucis. Lord Hadrian pledged himself to a man he hates because he knew only a strong king could control the feuds. Lord Hadrian hates Segetia, too, but when faced with a choice between two enemies, Lord Hadrian will choose the honorable one. When Lord Flavian proves he can keep order, Lord Hadrian will take the opportunity to withdraw his support from Lucis, and many will follow his example.

“All it will take is for him to sheathe his sword, and Lucis will fall. It is true Lucis will not surrender quietly, but with only his personal guard, the forces he led when he was a free lord, and his few remaining supporters, he will be unable to mount sufficient resistance. What violence may occur will be short-lived and limited in scope.”

“What do you expect will become of the former king?” Aunt Lyta asked.

“Once he sees that all is lost,” Cassia answered, “he will flee to Cordium like the coward he is. But the Mage Orders will not lift a finger to help him, for once he fails them, they will see no benefit in tying their influence in Tenebra to a hated, deposed king. When the Council of Free Lords unites and confers their mandate upon a new king, the Orders will have to acknowledge the legitimate transfer of power. Cordium will have neither motivation nor justification to stand against King Flavian. They will almost certainly begin courting him instead.”

Cassia glanced at Lio. “While it rests upon Flavian’s shoulders to establish his own policies, I can say with confidence he has neither ambitions of alliance with the Orders nor any extraordinary aversion to Hesperines. His loyalty is to his own people. With the nobility behind him, he will not need foreign mages to secure his position.”

“Flavian will not rule Tenebra as a queen would have.” For the first time, Cassia’s voice wavered. “He is young, and he is flawed. But I hope this Summit has shown you that young people, with all their mistakes, can still do what is right.”

Hypatia threw down her hand again. “The Summit is in shambles. The Tenebran embassy cowers. What assurance can you offer us that your supporters will stay the course of such a dramatic rebellion against a feared king?”

“The Summit is not over. The embassy only wants for leadership to bring them to their feet. With Alatheia as our witness, Ambassador Deukalion and I will wrest the Tenebrans from the influence of the Cordians and deliver them unto our Queens. Before the Festival of the Rose is through, we will swear the Solstice Oath with the nobility of Tenebra, and upon that promise, build a new future for both our lands.”

Lio lifted their joined hands into the air. “Will you have faith in us? Will you give us this chance? Will you stay with us on the Hesperine path until we have seen it through?”

Lio waited for the vote, prepared to count the declarations in blood that would appear around him.

Before any firstbloods pricked their fingers, Konstantina stood. “Newgift Cassia, what if your plan fails?”

Cassia did not shy away from the princess’s gaze or her question. “Tenebrans wish to be responsible for their own fate, and we must respect their Will. Therefore, I am giving them an opportunity. They can have a king instead of a tyrant. A monarch who will not use Hesperines against them, who will restore the Oath and our rights in Tenebra. So that no more of our Hesperines errant will come home broken for the sake of a victory that can never be won, so no more will die in a kingdom that begrudges their sacrifice.

“The Tenebrans will have the opportunity to stop being silent in the face of King Lucis’s lies. To set aside their fear and prejudice. To take back what he has taken from them. I know—I know—how much that costs. But I also know what courage sleeps, ready to awaken, even in the hearts of those whom the king has most grievously wronged. Especially in those hearts.

“If Tenebra will not be true, if Tenebra will not be just, if Tenebra will not be brave, they will have to bear the consequences on their own shoulders. If they make the wrong choice, it will be their choice.

“In sixteen hundred years, the power of our Hesperines errant has created lasting change, if not in Tenebra, then inTenebrans.In me. My parting gift to the land of my mortal origins is to set them free.”

Lio could scarcely believe what he sensed in Konstantina’s aura. Her resolve made him wary of what she had in store for them.

But she was also impressed.

“Your strategy is well developed,” Konstantina said, “and principled.”

Lio could hear that Cassia was holding her breath.

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