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“No. But I care about Lyrinore. All of us have suffered and lost loved ones for it, and there will likely be more to come. And yet you would prefer that Zathrian rule. A liar and a murderer, whose parents dropped the wards that day, killing thousands of hybrids.”
I’d once been determined not to blame Zathrian for that. But now that I knew just how evil he was, I was willing to bet he had much more in common with his parents than I’d ever imagined.
Tymriel sighed. “You had my vote. I would prefer the crown sit on your head.”
My pulse increased. If that was the truth, perhaps he could be convinced to actually help us.
“Since when?”
“Do you remember what I said to you that day we met?”
You have seen more horror than anyone of so few winters should have to. But you are still hiding. Become the queen we know you can be, and we will do whatever we can to help you.”
Fury burned deep in my gut. “So now I’m suddenly worthy of your help?”
“The other elders agreed I would watch you from afar, studying your choices. I learned of your attempts to ally with the Gromalian king and the way you manipulated his son. I heard of the torture you survived, and rather than allow it to break you, you have used it to grow stronger. I know your plans to take Jamic, and if you can truly succeed, you will deal Regner the greatest blow he could imagine.”
He knew a lot of things. And none of us had been aware that he was watching me.
Lorian let out a vicious snarl. “And just when did you hear of Prisca’s torture?”
Tymriel’s gaze stayed steady on my own. “After you had already escaped that situation,” he said.
I wanted to believe him. But the words he’d said when we’d first met were looping through my head.
“Just as your blade had to endure the intense heat and the force of the hammer to become a strong, reliable weapon, so must you. Except you must choose to be forged in fire so you will become the queen we need.”
Was this man ruthless enough to allow me to be tortured—to allow Cavis to die—all to ensure I was a strong enough weapon? So he could declare me worthy enough to lead?
I wasn’t sure I wanted an answer to that question. From the sparks simmering on Lorian’s skin—and the ominous, metallic scent in the air—my mate most definitely did. I reached for his hand.
I could practically hear him grumbling as his hand swallowed mine, but he brought it to his lips, dropping a kiss to my knuckles. Still, he fixed Tymriel with a stare that promised retribution.
“Once again, the so-called elders have proven less than useless,” a hoarse voice said from behind us. My aunt stepped into the room, mouth twisted in a sneer as she watched Tymriel. Likely, Vicer had woken her from her nap. A good choice. My aunt clearly had her own thoughts about the elders.
Tymriel attempted a smile, but his eyes were blank. “Telean. It has been a long time.”
“Yes. A long time, indeed, since I was forced to flee with Nelayra’s parents. Directly after her grandmother was brutally killed.”
His jaw clenched. “I remember what happened.”
“Do you?” she asked. “And what about the rest of the elders? Do they remember? What exactly have you achieved for all these years, while our people have been fighting and dying on this continent?”
Tymriel’s nostrils flared. “We’ve kept the wards up, protecting those who were able to stay. We’ve ensured the sea serpents guarded our sea. We’ve slowly built up our military—small though it may be—with the hopes that one day we would be able to save our people.”
“That was your tactic?” Lorian asked incredulously. “Hope?”
It was small of me, but I had to hide a smirk. They had said everything I was thinking, and from Tymriel’s dark scowl, the hits had landed. Unfortunately, we needed Tymriel on our side so we could convince him to help us begin moving some of our people back to their kingdom.
I cleared my throat. “Which council members voted against me?”
“Gavros, Sylphina, and Rivenlor.”
I had Ysara on my side, then. “Was my cousin tested by the Drakoryx?”
Tymriel’s gaze focused on a spot right above my head.He was attempting to hide things from me even now.
“No,” he admitted.
