AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“The Circle will be watching the outcome of the Council,” Xandra said, refilling her cup. “Once the lords vote, so will the Hesperines.”
Solia accepted the flagon from Xandra. “I trust they will vote to keep the border open during my reign?”
“Oh, yes,” said Xandra. “That isn’t what we need to worry about.”
A silence fell, punctuated only by the sound of the wine Solia poured calmly in her goblet.
Kia said, “What is your plan if Flavian wins?”
Lio could sense that Cassia feared Solia’s answer. Would losing the crown be enough to convince her to go home with them? Or would she try to stay in some capacity, to protect her people against threats she believed Flavian was not strong enough to face? Lio and Cassia had already had many fraught midnight discussions with each other and their Trial brothers about what they would do in that eventuality.
“Let us cross that bridge if we come to it,” Solia said.
“Do you know when the Council vote will happen?” Kia asked.
“Only two more lords have yet to raise their shields,” Solia answered. “We expect them to declare soon. The vote could happen any day.”
“Thorns,” Kia said. “So no chance any of you can get away to come speak at the Circle.”
Lio put his hand on Cassia’s back. “I do not think it is wise for Cassia to leave Tenebra at all right now.”
She shot him a regretful glance. “I think you’re right. Remaining close to you is crucial, but proximity to the letting site—wherever it is—helps as well.”
“I will attend the Circle,” Rudhira said.
Hope and worry vied in Xandra’s aura. “Can the Charge spare you?”
“I would prefer to be in Tenebra when the Full Council votes, in case anything goes wrong at Patria.” Rudhira looked from Lio and Cassia to Mak and Lyros. “But the Charge will be on alert in case you need our aid. Do not hesitate to call upon them in my absence.”
“Understood,” the Stewards both replied.
“Thank you,” said Cassia.
Lio nodded. “You must leave this duty in their hands and defend your mission as a whole. If Aunt Kona invokes the Departure, there will be no Charge.”
“Yes, there will.” Rudhira and Kalos exchanged a glance. “I have consulted with my officers, and we are all agreed. If the border with Orthros ever closes, the Charge will remain errant. Anyone who wishes to return home may do so without judgment, of course. But the leadership of the Charge and any who wish to follow us will continue to defend Hespera’s cause in these lands for as long as we live.”
The revelation left Lio speechless.
“What?” Xandra leapt to her feet, dashing away sudden tears. “You can’t! The Queen’s won’t allow it.”
“I will stay, whether I am allowed or not.”
“Nike tried that,” Mak burst out. “You know what it did to all of us.”
“I know,” Rudhira said heavily. “But the Charge cannot abandon the people here who need our protection.”
The Hesperites. Of course. The last remaining humans who worshiped Hespera would perish without the Charge’s support. This was so like Rudhira, and yet it was unthinkable.
“We would never see you again,” Xandra cried. “Forever.”
He rose to his feet and pulled her into his arms. “I doubt it will come to that. When I appear before the Firstblood Circle and tell Kona she may choose between the Departure and me, I rather hope she will prefer her brother, hm?”
Xandra hung onto him. “I won’t let either of you do this.”
“This is also a bridge we should not cross unless we come to it.”
So many possible futures lay before them, so many visions Lio could not bear to imagine. Only one thing was clear to him. Cassia must face that future with power.
