Page 151 of Queen of War and Ruin

“I agree with Lilias,” I declare.

Even Lilias looks surprised by this. I smile at her as I continue.

“We should go over the pass,” I say. “That’s where Varitan is going, so there’s something over there he wants. Or needs. And, whatever he’s after, we should find it first.”

I leave it at that. I’m too exhausted to think about the implications of meeting another elf like Varitan.

Elrick and Anura both frown. Gods, I can see how unappealing this sounds. They just escaped from Ethiria, and now, instead of traveling to a meeting of the Allied Kingdoms like the civilized nobility they are, I’m suggesting we throw ourselves over the mountains and into the realm of dragons and elves.

“I don’t think that’s wise,” Petrys says, delicately.

“Fine,” I reply, turning back to Elrick. “You travel to Lisal, then. You and what’s left of your court. Show that Marion is still one of the Seven Allied Kingdoms, and demand the support you’re owed. Lilias and I will go over the mountains⁠—”

“We can’t,” Anura says.

She looks almost sad about it. Elrick shakes his head.

“She’s right,” the prince says. “We can’t go to Lisal without you.”

“Malrik started this war,” Anura continues, “with the lie that you left Vsenrog to marry the prince of Ethiria.”

Oh. Shit. My jaw clenches as I realize where Anura is going with this. Elrick glances at his wife, then at his sister.

“If we show up in Lisal without you,” Elrick says, “then it’s our word against Malrik’s armies. Who would dare support us?”

I exhale slowly. The room fills with silence.

“I see,” Lilias finally says. Her hands twist together in her lap. “You need us in Lisal, both of us, to prove that I never left my husband or ran from Vsenrog. That Marion never broke our word.” Her voice trembles. She swallows, then begins again. “And, if Marion never broke our word, then the war is unjustified, which gives the Allied Kingdoms even more reason to support us.”

Elrick nods.

Lilias gives me a sad smile. “So, it’s another unity tour?” she says.

I laugh, but it comes out cold and hollow. And then I reach across the space between us and take her hand in mine.

“I’ll go wherever you’re going,” I promise my wife.

I try not to notice the way Petrys glances at Gerard, then at the floor. Elrick clears his throat.

“Okay,” Elrick says. “It’s decided, then. Tomorrow, we’ll start preparations to leave for Lisal.”

Chapter 74

Lilias

DO YOU APPROVE

My gut pulls tight as the little town of Detec comes into view. I glance at Elrick riding beside me, because I don’t dare look at Zarek or Petrys.

Before we left for Ethiria, Elrick said he knew the priest of the temple in Detec. I didn’t even think to ask why. I was too distracted by his suggestion that Zarek and I cut the ribbon.

Ebony snorts beneath me. She’s probably wondering why I’ve been so tense ever since we left the hunting camp this morning. I force myself to breathe, trying to calm my body so Ebony won’t think I’m about to ask her to jump off a cliff.

I just worry that I’m asking too much. That this is stupid and self-indulgent; that I’m acting like a spoiled princess stomping my foot and demanding I get what I want.

But Zarek didn’t seem to think it was stupid. When I suggested this last night, as we sat together in the common room, whispering to get some privacy in that crowded room, he said it was a beautiful idea. And then he brought my hand to his lips and kissed my fingers with a look in his eyes that made me wish we hadn’t agreed to share our room with Petrys and Gerard so they wouldn’t have to sleep outside in the muddy courtyard.

“Oh, good,” Elrick says. “It looks like he’s home.”