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Thorn nodded. But Verdion narrowed his eyes at me. “Yes, and by work together, you mean allow the hybrid heir to steal one of the Arslans’ ships so she could visit that barren kingdom, ensuring my friend’s son bled out on a beach somewhere far from home.”
I flinched. And just like that, I was back on that beach, watching Rythos as he knelt next to Fendrel’s body.
Next to me, Lorian went still. But it was Rythos who slowly got to his feet. “I suggest you watch your fucking mouth.”
Verdion’s eyes turned to slits, but Conreth raised his hand. Everyone went silent. Rythos retook his seat, but he was shaking with barely suppressed rage. Fendrel’s death had devastated him.
On his other side, Galon murmured something to him. Rythos nodded, turning his attention away from Verdion.
Lorian surveyed the wardens. “As you might have already heard, we have taken Jamic—the boy Regner has been channeling stolen power into for years. With his help, the two amulets we also now have, and the cooperation of all who are gathered here today, we believe we can bring down Regner’s barrier before he takes that power for himself and uses it to decimate this continent.”
Silence.
I fought to keep my expression blank, even as I studied the wardens. Thorn’s pale eyes widened, and she glanced between Lorian and me as if searching for some kind of deception. Neither Caliar nor Verdion reacted, their expressions carefully blank, while Sylvielle angled her head, watching us consideringly. Romydan sneered. “And where is this boy?”
“He had been imprisoned in fae iron and is not yet comfortable with large groups of people. However, he is willing to speak to anyone who wishes to talk to him in smaller groups,” Galon said.
“Why should we go to war when we could use that power to reinforce our borders and keep our own people safe?” Caliar asked.
I stared at him. Explaining that he should care about the thousands of lives that would be lost would just be a waste of time. “Because eventually, Regner will have enough power to come for you,” I said. “He still has the third amulet, and if he brings down that barrier himself, he will do whatever it takes to invade the fae lands.”
“This is all because of that fucking book,” Caliar snarled.
“It’s a grimoire,” Madinia said, her voice dripping with scorn. “And there are two others out there, waiting to be used for just as much evil.”
Everyone went silent for a long moment, processing that.
Sylvielle shifted. “So far, in this so-called war, has there been any true threat against the fae? All I have seen are losses on the hybrid side.”
“Cavis is dead,” Lorian said, his voice cold.
Her eyes softened slightly as they met his, then hardened once more as she flicked her gaze to me. “One could argue that was the result of having the misfortune of being taken with the hybrid heir.”
“No,” Galon said. “One could not argue that. Cavis was one of Regner’s spiders.”
The room went silent. No one breathed.
“Cavis… That’s impossible,” Thorn choked.
“I assure you,” Lorian said. “It is not. While the fae have been engaged in territorial disputes, refusing to work together over past slights, Regner has been clever and patient. His men plucked Cavis from our kingdom when he had seen just six winters. Cavis allowed his own mind to crack and bleed rather than betray our people. He died protecting my mate.”
Cavis’s screams echoed in my head. I could feel the ghost of Eadric’s hand in my hair, see the glint of his blade next to my face. Across the cell, Cavis gave me that sweet smile.
“Tell them I love them, Prisca.”
Someone gripped my hand and squeezed. I jolted, returning to the present, my gaze finding Rythos’s. His expression was creased with concern, and I gave him a shaky smile.
Lorian was still talking. “One of the healers tasked with returning our amulet attempted to kill Jamic last night. He had also been twisted by Regner. Who knows how many others are secretly working for the human king while unaware of their own treachery?” He slowly ran his gaze over the face of every person at the table.Murmuring broke out across the hall.
Lorian took his seat. Conreth stared at him, and the brothers had a wordless conversation. Last night, Lorian had told me Conreth hadn’t wanted to let Cavis’s fate be entirely known. But Sybella had asked Lorian to tell everyone. She wanted them to understand what had happened to Cavis.
“Your mate?” Sylvielle snarled, her voice echoing across the table.
She had listened to everything Lorian had just said, and that was what she was focusing on?
I met her gaze. “Yes. Move on.”
Shocked gasps sounded from the seats above us. Next to me, Lorian shook with laughter. He always found it amusing when I showed any kind of possessiveness toward him. His expression cleared as Caliar let out a disbelieving laugh.
