Page 51 of Songs of Retribution

He swallowed and looked back over his shoulder, at the camp which now sat under twinkling stars that appeared in the ebony velvet sky. "Maybe," he whispered.

"You do." I waited until he met my gaze again. "You also grew up in the Seelie court with your father."

A bitter laugh spilled out of him. "As I've told Shaan, regretfully my father never included me in military strategy. I'm not sure how much I can help."

"A hell of a lot more than any of us who do not understand Seelie culture, their court, or their magic." I'd been a fool to not consider that angle before. Now that I'd let the anger slough off, I gained clarity. Lennox was one of our best assets. More than that, he’d done nothing but fight to protect those he cared about as well as his court and mine since he'd arrived back in our lives.

Lennox's eyes skimmed over my face, like he tried to weigh out my sincerity. "I'm glad to help anyway I can." I believed him. “I’ve made mistakes as well, though.” His features scrunched together, and pain seemed to light in his eyes. “I was wrong about enlisting humans.”

“We’re both flawed, perhaps, but we’re trying to do what’s right.”

He frowned and nodded. As the sky darkened, I laid out everything the captain had said to me, my concerns, and my fears. "I don't know where to begin with a strategy for this battle.”

Lennox's gaze had gone far off. He remained quiet for a minute before speaking. "We need to get Amentium. Eldrick may have advice regarding that. Then we can attempt to study it."

"It's a good idea, but do we have time?"

"Maybe Elisa could help with the research. Her magic is metal related."

My normal defenses around Lennox shot up. "Neia wouldn't like it."

Lennox shrugged. "Elisa gets to make her own decisions, doesn't she?"

A frown still pulled my lips down, but I inclined my head. Elisa could decide if she wanted any part of that or not. Lennox plowed forward. "We should have your court's sirens study the affected soldiers as much as possible. We'll have to rethink our strategy. None of our magic is useful facing this metal but I've wondered…" He sighed. "The prophecy is about the elementals and our Atallas. Our magic should have some use in this, don't you think?"

"Perhaps." I hated agreeing to yet another task that may put Lira at risk, but he was probably right.

Shaan stepped into the clearing and assessed the two of us—how we leaned towards each other and both had easy postures—before dropping beside Lennox. "I hope you don't mind. You've been gone for a while."

Shaan’s eyes met mine, and he didn't need to speak the last part.I wanted to make sure my brother hadn't killed you.Lennox slipped a hand around Shaan's waist, some silent conversation clearly happening between them, but Lennox kept his eyes on me. "I'll continue thinking it through. You discuss it with Lira. There has to be something missing here."

"Very well." I stood and winced at the pull in my side before attempting to stretch it out. "On that note, I'll join my wife. Good night."

Lennox stood to offer a small bow, and Shaan watched me, the curiosity in his gaze almost burning me as I walked away.

CHAPTERNINETEEN

LIRA

Shaan and Ishirhad kept a steady, if demure, conversation going after Sai and Lennox left, but Shaan kept peering into the shadows where they’d gone. Finally he stood and cleared his throat. “I believe I’ll check on them.”

It was probably a good idea. My heart belonged to Sai, and I trusted him with nearly everything, but not Lennox. He’d hated him since he’d known the man’s name. When Sai had opened his mind to me, letting the anxiety, despair, and defeat of his feelings wash through me, it stalled my protests. He didn’t intend to tear into Lennox over our defeat, at least. But it wouldn’t hurt for Shaan to join them.

Ishir moved like he might rise from the bench as well.

“Oh, please stay,” I said.

Ishir’s lips parted as if to say something, then he seemed to think better of it and returned to his place.

“Only if you wish to, I mean. It… It wasn’t a command or anything, just a request.”

He lifted his face and smiled. The fire’s glow played over his tawny skin and put warmth in his dark eyes. “It’s an honor, Your Highness.”

A sigh built in my chest at the formality of his answer. Although we’d faced the horror of losing Lennox and Elisa together, trudged through sopping caves, and experienced danger, he still saw me as a royal more than a friend. Spending time in an army’s camp had been a hard experience. Even with Sai and Lennox at my side, I felt alone, afraid, and utterly out of control. I’d been fighting to determine my future since I’d left my mother, yet I’d never felt so powerless and useless as I had here. Soldiers didn’t need a princess who didn’t even grow up in their court.

Other guards stood at a discreet distance along the firelight’s edges. Dhriti, who I knew because she had been assigned to the four of us, occasionally glanced Ishir’s way. He caught her eye then darted his head back towards the fire, his cheeks darkening with color.

A smile had slid across Dhriti’s face as she turned back to the shadows around the camp, her braid sliding over her silk uniform jacket.

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