Stepping closer to her, I cornered her against the stone facade of the nearest building. “Is there a reason you failed to mention before that the tyrant leading your people is Haldron?”
She bristled, tossing her braid over her shoulder. “Haldron isn’t a tyrant. He?—”
“Was elected?” I scoffed. “If that’s what helps you sleep at night, Seren. All I saw back there was a tyrant—not that it surprises me. And it seems ruling the Viori isn’t good enough.”
Seren’s eyes widened, her head reclining against the wall as she looked up at me. “What do you mean?”
I tilted my head, scanning her face for feigned innocence. “You have to know … don’t you?” My voice dropped to a whisper.
Confusion glittered in her beautiful, long-lashed eyes. No deception, only genuine curiosity, but that didn’t ease the knot in my chest.
“Haldron is King Magnus’s younger brother—a traitor who vanished after attempting to kill the king. With Magnus and his sons gone, Haldron can claim the throne of Lirien. He doesn’t just mean to cut off the head of the snake, he wants to drape himself in its skin. He wants a kingdom.”
Seren shook her head, though doubt raced through the bond. “That’s ridiculous.” But her voice wavered, and I could feel her mind racing. “H-how would you know?”
“Trust me. I recognize him. And why would I lie?”
Her face blanched. “Even if you’re right, my people want freedom, not war …” Fear crept into her voice before she shoved past me, unwilling to face the possibility.
I grabbed her wrist, forcing her to a stop. “Is it? Hasn’t that always been the goal of the Viori? To break the chains oppressing Lirien? Reclaim the lands they left? Why else would your people have made war on us for centuries?”
Seren gave me an incredulous look. “No. The only thing my people want is to live in peace. The Viori help each other and people in need. You’re the ones that have made war on us—not the other way around.”
I palmed my face. “Oh gods, we’re not back to this, are we? You might be in denial about who Haldron is and what his intentions are, but I’m telling the truth. And if you don’t believe me, ask your mother. She was in Magnus’s court. I’m sure she knows who Haldron really is. Mark my words, his next move will be to order your Vangar to advance on Lirien and attack. War is coming, Seren. There’s no stopping it now.”
Her gaze held mine, fear glistening in her eyes. “It’s not true.”
“Haldron always wanted my”—I barely caught myself, then managed—“my king dead. He wanted the throne for himself. And now it appears he’s not only found a way but also has secured an army willing to fight his war for him.”
“But Haldron has been our leader for over eight years. If what you say is true, why would he wait to strike?”
“Maybe it takes time to arrange the assassination of the king and his sons.”
“Eight years?” Seren shook her head. “He could have picked them off one by one if all he needed was for them to be dead.”
“Haldron isn’t a fool, and neither was Magnus. If his sons had started dying, he would have put safeguards in place to secure the bloodline. Haldron waited until he could wipe them all out in one stroke. To make war on Lirien easier. There’s probably chaos in Suomelin right now with leadership in question.”
“You’re blinded by hatred,” she said softly and retreated a step.
“And you’re blinded by naivety,” I shot back, my voice with a hard edge.
Seren flinched, then yanked her wrist out of my grasp. “You might think I’m naive, Rykr, but I know what Lirien soldiers do. They’ve destroyed my family, turned my life upside down. So, don’t call me naive. And honestly, I’m a little more preoccupied with the threats to our lives than a war that is probably justified in the first place.”
“Dammit!” I caught her wrist, firm but not harsh, forcing her to face me. “So, we should do nothing? Just sit back and let it happen?” My voice was tight, simmering with restrained anger.
She flinched, but I didn’t let go. “How do I even know?—”
“If I’m telling the truth? You have to trust me. Believe me. You might not care, Seren, or you’re being shortsighted. I pray to the gods it’s the second option.”
I towered over her, my temper flaring.
“If you think I give a fuck about myself when millions of innocent Liriens could be caught in a war they didn’t ask for, you’ve sorely misjudged me. I’ve seen crippled men, disfigured faces, and children’s bodies pulled from the ashes. War will devastate the masses, Seren. And if you don’t care about it, then I’ve misjudged you.”
She stared up at me, eyes searching mine, shoulders falling with quick breaths. This proud, beautiful Viori woman.
Gods, be the honorable woman I believe you are, Seren.
A flash of pain crossed her features. She’d heard me.
