Page 83 of The Infernal Battalion

The sun was nearing the horizon when she emerged, hair washed and face wiped clean. Alex and Abraham were sitting on the ground outside the tent, talking quietly. They both jumped up at the sight of her.

“Winter!” Alex said. “Are you feeling better?”

“A little,” Winter said. She still felt like there was a storm inside her, but she was floating atop it, not drowning in the waves. She caught Abraham’s eye. “Thank you.”

“Like I said”—he smiled—“I don’t have any answers.”

Neither do I. But it didn’t matter, not now. There are people who need saving. One step at a time. “Where’s Vess?”

“She and the others are scouting the wall,” Alex said. “I tried to talk sense into them, but Vess won’t listen. She said that tomorrow night she’s going to attack.”

Tomorrow night. That gave them twenty-​four hours. “You said you could get us into the fortress if you had to,” Winter said.

“Meaning the three of us? Sure. Probably not everyone, not without someone noticing.” Alex paused. “If Vess is intent on doing this, we might be able to sneak in and steal a boat in the confusion.”

“I’m not going to abandon them,” Winter said. “I’m not even going to abandon the damned Murnskai, if I can help it. Not when it’s hell on earth coming up behind us.” Although a certain captain may find all his limbs broken.

“So what, then?” Alex said.

“We find a way to get everyone out of here,” Winter said. “And then we convince Vess to take it.”

14

Raesinia

“You knew,” Raesinia said as soon as the door to Dorsay’s suite closed behind her.

“I suspected,” Dorsay said mildly. He wore a brown silk robe and his hair was ruffled, but he seemed unperturbed at finding the Queen of Vordan in his chambers first thing in the morning.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“It’s not my place to reveal Georg’s plans, especially when he hasn’t consulted me about them.” Dorsay shrugged. “I did warn you not to come here.”

“You didn’t warn me he had a marriage alliance in mind.”

Dorsay waved her to one of the armchairs. After a moment of stubborn irritation, Raesinia sighed and sat down, and he settled in opposite her.

“Georg is the kind of man who takes opportunities when they present themselves. If Janus had remained quiet, no doubt he would have concluded the treaty with Vordan in good faith. When the situation changed, however, it gave him the chance to ask for more.”

“Goodman has been insistent about that,” Raesinia said.

“I’m sure he has. That’s the stick. I wasn’t sure what the carrot would be, but it makes sense.”

Marrying some prince I barely know is supposed to be the reward? “Why does it make sense?”

“The crown prince has only one son, and he is known to be sickly, while the prince himself grows weaker by the year. It seems increasingly likely that the Pulwer dynasty will not continue down that branch of the tree. The second prince is healthy and presumably fertile, but so far has refused every potential match. You are young, unmarried, and in need of heirs yourself.” Dorsay shrugged. “Given the course of recent events, Georg is also eager to move Borel away from Elysium’s orbit. An alliance with Vordan, cemented by something as strong as a marriage between the monarch and the prospective heir, would be a good way to accomplish that.”

“You think this offer is genuine, then?”

“Oh, certainly. Georg is an honorable man.”

“No king is an honorable man,” Raesinia snapped. “Not if he wants to keep his throne for long.”

“Fair,” Dorsay conceded. “But he does try to keep his promises. The alliance would be popular with the merchants, which would make Goodman and his friends less ruffled about being overruled. From Georg’s position, I can certainly see the advantages.” Dorsay steepled his hands. “And from yours, I have to say.”

“Advantages?” Raesinia glowered. “You’re not serious.”

“From a purely political point of view, of course. You are young, and your power is insecure. If you married Prince Matthew, then Borel would have a powerful incentive to make sure you kept your throne, which can only assist in dealing with domestic opponents. You would receive the aid against Janus you came for. And you clearly must marry someone soon, in any event.”