Total pages in book: 247
Estimated words: 235897 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1179(@200wpm)___ 944(@250wpm)___ 786(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 235897 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1179(@200wpm)___ 944(@250wpm)___ 786(@300wpm)
“Those three?” Not Xaden? My brows jump. Felix is understandable, and Kaori’s one of my favorite professors, but I suspect he’s chosen to escort our group in hopes of seeing Andarna. And she’s not in the mood to be seen. Maybe Xaden will already be there? At least for Sgaeyl and Tairn’s sake.
“I’m sorry, I know you were hoping it would be—” Rhi starts.
“You will abide by the decision set forth!” a man shouts from the great hall.
Aaric tilts his head, then pauses just before the door, bringing the squad to an awkward stop.
“What are you do—” Lynx starts.
Aaric throws his arm across Lynx’s chest and drags him back, bumping into Sawyer just before the door bursts open and the Duke of Calldyr flies through.
He lands on his ass in the middle of the carpet, tangled in his bejeweled overcoat.
Holy shit. My eyes widen.
“Say it again,” Lewellen demands, marching through the doorway.
What is he doing here?
Every infantry guard steps off the wall, but Calldyr waves them away and climbs to his feet, raking a hand over his face and blond beard. “The desire of one province may never outweigh the good of the kingdom!”
Ah, Lewellen must be serving as proxy for Xaden’s Senarium seat…but they usually meet in Calldyr. Are they here for a war council?
“I don’t want to serve a kingdom that leaves civilians to die!” Lewellen snarls.
“You let them in, and there will be no kingdom to serve.” Calldyr lifts his nose. “We have already weakened the outposts by stripping them of all but the necessary alloy, and look what that got us in Suniva. We have sent riders. Lost riders. What more would you have us do? Starve when we cannot feed double our current population?”
“You are a pretentious, spoiled child who has never known suffering a day in your—”
“Enough.” Xaden walks through the door, and my heart stops. His gaze jumps to mine like a compass pulled north.
He’s here. I drink in the sight of him, then swallow. Hard. The amber in his eyes seems brighter, but not lighter. A new, sharp ache spreads in my chest. Has he channeled from the earth again? Or are we on day sixty-six?
“The discussion is over,” Xaden says, ripping his eyes from mine before passing by Lewellen on his way toward Calldyr. “You were informed as a courtesy. Tell the Senarium, don’t tell them. I don’t particularly care.”
“You cannot.” Calldyr retreats until his back rattles a shield display on the wall.
“And yet, I’m going to.” Xaden stops a full two feet from Calldyr, but shadows curl at his feet and spread down the hall.
Calldyr notices, then glances at one of the shields like it might actually help him.
“Do we worry?” Rhi asks under her breath.
I catalog the anger in Xaden’s eyes and shake my head. He’s pissed, but he’s him. Still, just in case, I watch the shadows, spotting the darkest one.
“I forbid it.” Halden strides into the hallway, followed by two guards.
He’s here, too? Oh, this is bad.
“I don’t give a fuck.” Xaden pivots so he can see both men.
“And boom, it’s a show,” Ridoc whispers.
“My money’s on Riorson,” Sawyer chimes in.
Halden glances our way, his gaze jumping from me to Aaric, then stiffens when he sees the rest of the squad. “This discussion is better had in private.”
“This discussion is over,” Xaden counters.
“Ooh, he used the wingleader voice,” Ridoc says under his breath.
“You will not open your borders!” Halden’s face blotches.
Tyrrendor is going to take in civilians? My chest constricts and warms all in the same second. “I love you.”
“I will do as I damn well please with my province.” Xaden’s eyes narrow dangerously on Halden. “Even if I’m about to start another revolution?”
“Especially then.”
“Your province?” Halden squares his shoulders. “It’s my kingdom!”
“Yes, you’re first in line to rule a large amount of territory,” Xaden agrees. “But I rule mine now. Draithus has weeks before they attack, and Tyrrendor will open her borders. We will take any and all Poromish civilians willing to climb the Medaro Pass. Would you truly condemn thirty thousand people to die?”
Draithus has weeks? What new intel has come in?
Mira. I sway, and Rhiannon grabs hold of my elbow, steadying me.
“You’re choosing their people over ours?” Halden’s fists curl.
“They are not endangering our people,” Lewellen argues. “This is not a them or us situation. They are not risking our wards, nor are they raiding—”
“You don’t have to defend my decision,” Xaden interrupts, turning his full focus to Halden. “We’re opening our borders.”
“Will you be quite so sure of yourself when I bring my troops into Tyrrendor?” Halden threatens.
He wouldn’t fucking dare.
Every cadet around me straightens, even Aaric.
The shadows darken and emotion drains from Xaden’s eyes, leaving only cold, cruel calculation as he takes a single step toward Halden. “You are a prince, not the prince. Bring your troops into Tyrrendor, and Aaric will suddenly find himself first in line for the throne.”