Page 44 of Songs of Retribution

"That's not what I'm saying." I struggled to keep my composure and Eldrick shuffled beside me. The room had grown tense, but I wasn't backing down. "We need to be prepared. If you think my father will hesitate to use humans in his army, you're mistaken. We need to match his tactics to survive."

Sai sneered at me, his eyes flashing with malice. "You're just like your father, willing to do anything, trample anyone, to win."

"That's not true." My magic had crackled to the surface, slipping down my hands with heat ready to pour forth. "But, yes, this is a war, and I am on the side of trying to see the Prasanna survive it. Hate me for that if you will."

He slammed his hand on the table, making the markers on the maps wobble. "I'm on the side of winning honorably, of keeping our vows in the process."

"If you're dead," I yelled, "your vows will not matter."

Others had stepped away from us, aside from Eldrick who remained steadfastly at my side. Our powers sparkled through the air like electricity, popping and snapping.

"Prince Sai," the Maharani said, her voice calm but holding a note of warning. "Prince Lennox. I believe it would be wise if we took a step back from this issue and allowed our advisors"—she nodded at a few beings at the end of the table—"discuss the merits and drawbacks of this idea."

"Of course, Maharani," Sai said stiffly and swept a respectful bow.

"Maharani," I said and offered one as well.

But we continued to glare at each other during the rest of the meeting, and neither of us fully rested our magic, allowing it to crackle along with the room’s tension.

* * *

I carried a plate of warm biscuits given to me by a doting cook who clearly had a soft spot for Shaan to Margo's door.

In the end, I hadn't invited Shaan to join me. I was still burning with energy from the meeting, and I didn't know how to say to him,I'd really like to shove your brother off the moral dais he's sat himself upon. Shaan was close with Sai; I couldn't comfort the man I loved by showing my hatred for his brother.

I nodded to the guards as I opened the door. Damn Sai. He'd chosen to hate me from the beginning, and he despised every idea I came up with. I was convinced the reason was simply because I was the one to come up with them.

Lira sat up in the bed and smiled, but it dropped as she took in my expression. "What's wrong?"

"Where's Margo?" I looked around the room’s cream and gold furnishings and even out into the courtyard and saw no one else.

Lira shrugged as she patted for me to set the tray down. "She decided to take a bath." Lira lifted a book and wiggled it to draw my attention to it. "I was reading, but I'm glad you're here."

I dropped beside her. I guess eating treats in bed—such a filthy habit—was becoming our way of bonding. Lira slid the book onto a side table and lifted a biscuit. She took a bite and chewed slowly before swallowing and looking up at me. "It was nice of you to bring me these. I know you're busy currently."

I shrugged. "I'm glad to have you back."

She offered me a tender smile. "We agreed once that siblings share, right?"

Her words seemed like a trap, but I pursed my lips and gave a careful nod. "We did."

"So, what's wrong?"

I sighed, grabbed the teapot, and poured us both a cup before answering. "Your husband is a delight."

She lifted a cup and clutched it tight. "You're fighting again?"

"You say this as though we've ever done anything else."

"I wish I could fix things."

I snatched up a treat, and the warmth of it seeped into my fingers. "Let's not waste the afternoon discussing things we can't change."

Lira shrugged, but her pale eyes flicked towards the windows and went far off. I wasn't sure if she was speaking privately with magic to Sai or if she was lost in thought. I remained quiet either way and finished my biscuit, the blend of sweet and spicy mingling on my tongue. It made me think of the many times Aila brought a plate of biscuits and a mug of tea to share with me. She’d helped Lira escape then stayed behind. God hold her. My heart ached, but I’d have to shove that down and deal with the worry and potential grief later.

When Lira spoke again, she whispered, her voice uncertain as she slowly lifted her eyes to me. "The King marked me for his magic."

"I know. Sai told me." In the cruelest way possible, as fitting to him. She seemed worried that I might reject her or feel angry with her over it, and I tried to make sure that my expression held only the love I had for her, relief that she'd made it out of our father's brutal hands, and my belief in her.

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