Page 74 of Songs of Retribution

A breathy laugh left me. “Yes.”

“And you keep your promises, don’t you?”

“Yes.” The word left me with conviction. She was right. My entire life I’d fought for promises I’d made—even when it hurt me. I’d wavered, but never given up. This was a waver, a flutter that had nothing to do with my genuine convictions.

Shaan was right too. General Daksh was afraid, and fear made us foolish. I was scared too—scared I'd fail everyone I cared about, let Shaan down, and lose those I loved. Maybe it would be easier to give up now before the fight began and accept the inevitable. But I'd never taken the easy path.

I sat up straighter and the world seemed to come to life, wind whistling through the woods, the murmur of the army's noise beyond the brush.

"You're right. God, I'm a fool." I pulled her into a hug so quickly she gasped then she patted my arm. "I have to make them see, and I think I can do it.”

"Yes, Lennox, you can."

"Thank you."

"Of course.”

I jumped to my feet, purpose burning through me like my magic spilled forth. Maybe this would be a fight we'd lose, but I'd spend my life fighting it. We were on the right path, and if others couldn't see it, we had to show them. A thrush burst before Elisa, and she raised her hand and slipped her twinkling eyes towards me. "Apparently I'm popular today."

I wanted to tell her she was always popular, and deservedly so, but she was caught in reading the note. Her lips parted and color slipped from her face.

"Are you all right?" I asked.

She looked over the page with tears in her eyes. "They're coming, Lennox."

"Who?” My heart thundered. Were my father’s forces already on the way?

“Neia and Orman.” She blinked a tear free, and it trailed down her cheek. “And they’re bringing the elf army with them.”

A breath rushed out of me, and I felt almost lightheaded with relief as hope filled all the empty corners despair had recently occupied. "God, we might win," I said.

"We're going to." Elisa wiped her cheek with her shoulder. "We have to."

I nodded and gestured towards the camp. When we met Shaan, he looked at me with uncertain eyes. I pulled him into my arms and reveled in the comfort of his touch as he slid his hands up my back. "I'm a fool, Shaan. Forgive me. Please forgive me."

"It's okay," he murmured. "I love you. It's okay."

Once we broke apart, I called Lira who brought Sai, Luz, and Ishir. Then I paced before the clearing as the sun set, sharing ideas and thoughts with the group. When we finally came up with a plan Shaan frowned. "I don't like it."

"I know." I squeezed his hand. "But I need to do it."

He sighed, and I kissed his forehead.

An hour later we had the leaders gathered, General Daksh glaring at me. The Maharani nodded in our direction, and I wished I could form words to express how much I appreciated her trust and support. Elisa stepped forward, her gloved hands holding cloth-wrapped pieces of Amentium.

"As you can see,"—I gestured around the room—"I asked the Rey to invite more Alegre leaders to this meeting—those who have a potent ability to use their magic and can perceive lies."

Some Prasanna leaders bowed towards me. Sai and Shaan stood on either side of me like sentinels. Their support, having found this man I loved, a sister I adored, and friends I trusted, almost overwhelmed me for a moment.

I met General Daksh's eyes. "I can understand why my sister and I would seem suspicious. Myself especially. In your position, I may not trust me either. In fact, I understand court politics well. Trust is a difficult thing to extend in the best of times, much less with so much at stake."

Daksh's jaw jumped, but he nodded to me. It was enough for now. I'd take it. After I gestured to her, Elisa unwrapped the Amentium; it glittered even in the tent’s low light.

"Everyone present knows what this is and what it does, yes?"

An Alegre leader frowned at it. "It's the magic stealing metal."

"Yes," I said. I reached for it with my bare hand. Shaan went rigid beside me. I grasped the small dart. It was shorter than my finger, and yet as soon as I held it my muscles trembled and nausea swelled up my throat. I stumbled a step and Sai and Shaan each caught one of my arms.

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