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“You do have a wonderful singing voice...” Herrath put in and she rolled her eyes at him.
“Oh fuck off,” she laughed and shoved him good-naturedly. It was the first time I’d ever seen her treat him like he was one of us.
“So what do we do, Theron?”
I smiled, hope—a fragile thing fluttering in my chest.
“Now we go meet our new allies.”
Chapter 2
Kael
IwatchedasTheronapproached, unafraid of the sea of grumbling rebels at his back. His steps were measured, unhurried, a stark contrast to the frenzy of movement around him as my people scattered and his Harvestmen fell into step behind him. The sight of him sent a peculiar thrill coursing through my veins, a pulse of heat that made my fingers twitch, needing to pull him to me. My heart ached with the strange sweetness of it.
“Sihaya.“ His voice was rich; a velvet note in the surrounding cacophony, his bronze eyes finding mine in the sea of faces. The flickering torchlight danced in those depths, a secret promise of shadows and light. “It seems you’ve made some promises on my behalf.”
I raised a brow, covering my worry. It was a gamble pledging his support, one I wasn’t sure would pay off. “Are you going to make me a liar?”
His chuckle was a dark, intimate thing as he stepped closer until the heat of his body warmed me. “We’re past lying to each other, aren’t we?”
My breath caught as the world narrowed to just the two of us. Was he joining the rebellion? Would we finally fight on the same side? A fierce determination filled me, something as sweet as hope but stronger. As long as he and I were together, I could stand anything.
Teodosija strode in from the depths of the crowd. Her black braids flew behind her like a cape, her yellow eyes flashing with fury. No doubt angry that I had usurped her authority.
“War Marshal.” Her greeting was a growl, a challenge flung into his face. “Kael tells us your opinion has changed. That you stand against the elves?”
Theron shook his head, the hint of a smile playing on his lips as if amused by her petulant behavior. “No, I’m not turning against my people.”
My stomach dropped.Shit.
“But I am joining you to free the Remnants by taking down the empire.”
Teodosija raised a brow. “You’re willing to kill the empress?”
Your own motherwas left unsaid.
Theron nodded, his gaze unwavering. “That’s right.”
The words hung heavy in the night air, a claim that could not be taken back. The rebels behind me shifted, Gavril edging closer as my heart took off at a gallop.
Teodosija, seeming to enjoy the tension, raised her voice. “Then it’s time for some assurances. The people you see around you, Marshal...” She gestured grandly, showing the rough faces of my fellow former slaves, men, and women who had risked everything for this cause. “They’ve lost much. Their gods, their countries, their families... All taken by your kind. If not yourself.”
“I know,” Theron said, his gaze not leaving hers.
“We want our homelands back.”
He nodded. “I can’t promise we’ll win, but I swear to fight with everything I have.”
Teodosija continued, her voice hard. “We need a pledge, here and now, in front of your people and ours. Swear it, War Marshal. Swear, you will aid us in taking back what is rightfully ours.” She was putting on a show for the rebels behind us, trying to regain a little of what I’d stolen from her with my proclamation.
“I swear to return the lands my ancestors stole. To free those that I’ve enslaved.” His eyes locked on me. “And so your people never doubt that their voices will be heard—Kael will be my queen, ruling by my side.”
My heart leapt at the words, shock warring with pleasure. Queen?
Theron stepped closer, wrapping his arm around my waist as he pulled me closer. His touch was gentle but determined, and for a moment, I felt like I was standing at the crossroads of something greater than myself.
“You have my word,” he said softly before raising his voice for all to hear. “Kael shall be my queen and together we will fight for justice.”
