Page 75 of Songs of Retribution

It took me a moment to find my voice as everyone stared at me in horror. The cuffs Father used only laced a small amount of Amentium in them and they subdued magic, but this was raw metal, and it was intent on sucking the life from me. I needed to work quickly.

"With this in my hand, I cannot—" I choked, struggling to speak, and Shaan pressed his chin over my shoulder. His lips brushed my neck. The strength of his touch helped me push forward.

"I cannot use glamour or any… any other magic." God, I struggled to remain on my feet. Sai and Shaan supported me more, and I lifted my eyes to General Daksh. "I swear to you, despite my family's history and… and even my personal history, I am loyal to… to this cause." My vision blurred.

Elisa snatched the Amentium from my hands, and I swayed as magic rushed back into my body, though it was weakened and inaccessible. I scarcely knew whose hands were on me, my mind was so muddled and disoriented.

"Your Highness," the Maharani said to the Alegre Rey. "Do you or any of your court find the Prince's words to ring false?"

The Rey gave me a once over then shook his head like he imagined I wasn't fully in control of all my faculties to make such a bold move. He might be right. He shifted back to the Maharani. "We did not, Maharani. And I must say, our court was not in favor of Prince Lennox when he visited our city, yet I believe his intentions are pure."

"General Daksh, do you believe we can trust the Seelie Prince now?"

Daksh's eyes tightened as he studied me for a moment then he bowed towards the Maharani. "I hope you can understand that my caution was in service of our court."

"Of course."

I stepped forward and stumbled a step. Shaan caught me, wrapping an arm around my back. "I know what we must do," I said.

"We're listening," the Rey said, a wide grin on his face. I didn't know how he remained so jovial considering what was to come, but it was a bolster.

"I'll say what no one has spoken in my presence, though surely it’s being discussed otherwise." I met as many leaders’ gazes in the space as I could, noticing the worry lines around their eyes, the dark circles beneath them. "My father has marked Lira for the Seelie magic." I gestured to her and that small of a movement left me dizzy again. "If he dies, Lira will hold our court's powers and could pull their magic back from them enough to subdue the army."

The weight of my words settled over the group. The Maharani gave me such a compassionate look it made me want to cry. She looked at me as a mother for a moment, not a leader.

I broke her gaze because I couldn't bear it any longer. "If we kill him, this battle is over.” The words burned in my throat as I forced them out. I’d spent my entire life attempting to win my father’s approval. Now I openly endorsed his death. Part of me that was still a lonely, sad little boy who longed for his approval and love shuddered. I wasn’t that child anymore, though. Hard decisions had to be made and I was prepared to make them. “The sirens will attempt to subdue anyone with cannons. The Prasanna can focus on using memory magic to protect our forces. Lira plans to use her powers to dig out trenches, dropping the human forces in without hurting them." I looked at Lira, and she gave me a nod. "The battle’s focus has to be killing my father. It will end the fight. If they have the dragons under his control, that threat should also dissipate with his death."

"Who is to say, Your Highness," a Prasanna leader asked, "that your father will be present at the battle?”

I thought of every shame-filled talk I'd experienced in my father's office, staring at the military medals on the walls that gleamed maliciously at me, mocking my lack of success in the army. "He'll be there." He'd lose too much clout if he wasn't, and he'd never be able to endure it.

"I can do this," Shaan said.

I clasped his hand beneath mine, but I remembered what Sai had said. How would Shaan and I endure the fact that he'd killed my father? It would haunt us always. "It's my responsibility. You may have to, depending on the situation, and I’ll need you to protect me as we try to reach him.”

He frowned, but I squeezed his hand tight. Shaan was my strength, my heart. We'd see each other through this.

"As much as it pains me to say so," the Maharani said, "the plan is good."

I turned towards her, and we shared a moment of understanding. It was a feeling I'd take with me to the battlefield. The weight of it was heavy, but it was a burden I was meant to carry. Leadership was a difficult mantle to bear. The Maharani understood that and perhaps my father did as well. He twisted himself towards destruction, but he would do whatever he felt he must to secure the Seelie. I’d do the same to secure our world.

Someone stepped into the tent and bowed deeply. "Forgive me, Maharani, but new troops have arrived."

The Maharani looked at Sai as if to confirm it wasn't the elves, but it couldn't possibly be. They still needed to travel.

"Seelie soldiers?" she asked.

"No, Maharani. Froh."

The group’s mood shifted, but I didn't linger. I stumbled towards the exit, leaning on Shaan for support. As I stepped out, I looked down the hill. At thousands of soldiers marching in orderly lines towards the camp.

We started that way; me struggling and leaning on Shaan who gripped his arm tightly around me. When we reached the army, King Frederick dismounted and approached me.

"Your Highness." I bowed.

He smiled uneasily as I rose then offered me a hand which I shook. "I've lost many nights of sleep since your visit."

"Have you?"

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