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“I think I put it in somewhat kinder terms.” Drystan’s expression softened as he studied Auberon. “Are you sure you don’t want to go back and rest? You’re still recovering from the poison.”
“That was nearly a week ago. I’m fine. Besides, you’ve proven that I can’t leave you to negotiate alone. You already passed up one opportunity to make Riona your bride, and I will not allow you to do it again.”
An elven servant opened one of the throne room doors. Drystan shot Auberon a look that was part amusement, part warning before following the woman inside. As in the banquet hall, stone dragons coiled around the pillars that supported the second-story gallery, where minor nobles would be allowed to watch the proceedings during court events. Their onyx eyes glimmered in the light from the stained-glass windows, making them seem eerily alive.
At the far end of the room, King Domhnall sat tall and proud on his throne, flanked by Lord Lachlan and Prince Domhnall. Not a flicker of emotion passed across his face as Drystan and Auberon stopped before the dais steps and bowed low.
“Prince Drystan and Prince Auberon of Erduria, Your Majesty,” the servant announced, curtsying.
“Thank you, Ophelia. That will be all.”
She rose and turned to leave, brushing shoulders with Auberon as she passed. Her hand found his, and she pressed a small, folded piece of paper into his palm. He closed his fingers around it as she walked away.
As soon as she left, King Domhnall said, “I won’t waste time mincing words. Prince Drystan, considering the history between our countries, I am sure you understand why I am resistant to sending my niece into your father’s court.”
Drystan offered the king a practiced smile. “My father treats his friends well, and I have come here to see that my brother and I depart as your friends, not your enemies. We can unite our countries and end this war. A marriage would show our people that we are willing to forgive past conflicts and heal together.”
“Would you call the deaths of my eldest son and sister-in-law mereconflicts?” he asked, his voice low and even. “What about the assassinations of half the Selannic royal family? Was that a conflict?”
Auberon stiffened at the fury in the king’s voice, his grip tightening on the little paper in his hand.
Drystan’s smile faded. “Their deaths were tragedies, Your Majesty. With all due respect, I will remind you that my father denounced the attack on the Selannic royals and ordered the arrest and execution of every man involved as soon as word reached us in Torch. The assassins were not working under my father’s orders.”
“I find it hard to believe that Emperor Hyperion had no prior knowledge of an attack that resulted in the deaths of half my wife’s family.”
“And I find it fortunate for you that only lesser members of the royal family were killed in the assassination. The king, queen, and heir all emerged completely unscathed, but not without a renewed hatred of the Erdurian Empire.”
The king’s eyes narrowed. “I know, Prince Drystan, that you are not implying that I somehow had a hand in this tragedy. That I sought to benefit from their murders.”
“No, of course not. I was merely making a point—rather indelicately, I will admit—about the efficacy of throwing around baseless accusations,” Drystan said smoothly, looking not in the least bit regretful.
King Domhnall bristled. Behind him, Lord Lachlan and the Crown Prince remained stone-faced, watching over the proceedings in silence. Auberon stood taller at Drystan’s side, his chest filling with pride. He knew how to sway people with sly words and clever turns of phrase. Drystan did it with all the regal authority of a man who had been born to lead the greatest empire in the world.
“The Erdurian navy broke the laws of neutrality and sank a ship bound for the Selannic Isles,” the king finally said, “resulting in the death of Lady Riona’s mother. In breaching those laws, Emperor Hyperion has proved himself to be a man without honor. Why should I send my niece into the court of such a man? If we ally, what will prevent him from one day turning my own kingdom into a vassal?”
“If he wished to expand his empire, he would have invaded long ago. We seek only an end to the fighting, which would benefit both countries greatly. Trade would flourish. You would have access to our resources and the support of our military, should you ever require it.”
King Domhnall shook his head. “A chance at peace is not worth risking my country’s independence.”
Because you know that you only have to wait until you have enough eudorite weapons to launch an attack on Erduria,Auberon thought with mounting frustration.With eudorite blades and eudorite-hulled ships, our navy wouldn’t stand a chance. You’re planning a slaughter.
Unable to remain silent any longer, Auberon slipped the folded note into his pocket, then stepped past Drystan and held up his hands in placation. “Come now, Your Majesty. It looks to me like Rivosa would benefit much more from an alliance with Erduria than we would with you. What precisely canyouofferus?Beyond your beautiful niece, of course.”
Admit you’re mining eudorite,he silently challenged.Prove to us that your kingdom is worth something.
Heavy silence descended over the room. Lord Lachlan did not move, but the Crown Prince shifted uneasily, glancing from Auberon to his father and back. They could all feel the ghosts of those the war had claimed crowding the room, waiting for an answer.
Today, the decades-long war between Rivosa and Erduria could finally end.
At last, the king laughed—a soft, humorless sound. “You are almost as skilled with your words as the man who sired you, Prince Auberon. Let us speak plainly. As valuable as your troops and trade may be, I do not trust your father, and I have yet to hear a reason why I should entrust him with my niece’s safety.
“A sea may divide our lands, but tales of your father’s bloody, brutal ways spread well beyond the borders of your precious empire. His spies were responsible for the crumbling of the court in Camrone. His army leveled the city of Orbury because its leader dared to demand independence. And yet you ask me to betray my subjects and entrust the future of my kingdom to him? Unless you can allay my concerns, my answer is no.”
Drystan’s hands curled into fists, the only outward sign of his growing anger. “I hope you will reconsider in the coming weeks, Your Majesty. It would be a great honor to marry Lady Riona and peacefully end the war.”
King Domhnall nodded. “You are dismissed, Your Highnesses.”
They bowed stiffly, then left the room. If Auberon had had any doubts, they were gone now. King Domhnall had no intention of agreeing to a betrothal. If he allowed everyone else to believe that Drystan would win Riona’s hand, Eamon and Valerian would be forced to offer better terms. He was playing them against one another, knowing that the Erdurian Crown Prince would be too proud and stubborn to give up.
