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“I should probably return Zerek’s stuff before he tries to throw me in the dungeon. He’s just looking for an excuse.”
I couldn’t help but laugh as I sat down on one of the chairs. “Come on, Roza, give him a break. He’s not that bad.”
She scoffed and swam deeper into the pool, hiding her nudity. “He’s an elven asshole who thinks we’re all slaves for his use. He takes pleasure in making me uncomfortable—it’s his way of exerting power over people.”
As if on cue, a male cleared his throat behind us and I jumped.
“I’ve never had a slave or concubine. And if you’re uncomfortable, it’s because you recognize that I’m a better warrior than you.” Zerek said with a pointed look at Roza, who rolled her eyes before going underwater.
“Theron’s been looking for you,” he said to me, his eyes still lingering over the pool where Roza had yet to emerge. My stomach fluttered as I stood, brushing away invisible sand from my skirt. Roza broke the surface, the water lapping around her shoulders.
“I have to run,” I called out to Roza, who nodded even though her unfriendly gaze was locked on Zerek. He matched her stare, unmoving until I bumped him with my shoulder.
“Lead the way.”
He tore his eyes away from her, giving me an awkward smile. Out of Theron’s Harvestmen, he was the one I knew the least—something that made me worry given his preoccupation with Roza. I glanced between them once last time before following him out of the grotto, leaving her alone to swim.
Chapter 4
Theron
Thesunbrokeoverthe horizon, casting a golden hue across the sandy courtyard where Herrath had gathered the guard. Weariness settled in my bones and my eyelids were heavy, but I had to muster the strength to address our soldiers. If I showed weakness, they wouldn’t follow me. I tapped my bronze and pewter, energy and wakefulness filling me. We’d discussed options for defending the city for hours, but I couldn’t make any certain plans until I’d seen what I was working with. That included both the rebel’s abilities and my soldier’s willingness to fight beside them.
Standing atop a raised platform, I surveyed the sea of Elven faces before me. They respected strength, but these were also the worst our army had to offer. The soldiers that were unsuitable for the front lines. I’d spent years trying to build them into a decent force, but there had always been a cadre that preferred Rhazien, that enjoyed brutalizing the slaves. I’d have to manage them as well as the guards that I’d worked with if I wanted us to succeed.
Taking a deep breath, I began. “Soldiers,” I said, my voice reverberating through the courtyard. “Today marks a new era in the history of our kingdom. An era that comes with great uncertainty and change.”
I paused, gauging their reactions before continuing. “Emperor Varzorn is dead, killed by two of our own; my mother and Theodas Vennorin.” Murmurs swept through the crowd, whispers of snakes and treachery.
“Now let me be clear,” I continued, my voice booming over the gathered men. It reminded me of my first day in Adraedor, speaking over the mass of slaves as I told them of the changes I intended. “I have no love for my mother—she had Rhazien murder my father. He forced me to watch as he bled to death, only for her to throw me into a dungeon for years.” I allowed the words to hang in the air, my soldiers silent as they took it in. Rumors abounded in the Hollow mountains for decades, but I’d never confirmed it.
My voice hardened as I continued. “But I love our country and its people. The Hollow Mountains that echo with our history. And we deserve better than Theodas and the Weaver.”
The soldiers shifted, some glancing at their peers while others kept their eyes fixed on me. They knew how dangerous it was to oppose my mother’s rule. Elves had died for suggesting less. It was one thing to follow my orders not to attack the insurgents; it was another to become one themselves.
“The time has come for change. I am sick of sending Elven sons to war, of seeing our kin die in battle for a cause that is not our own. Warriors living for decades separated from their families just so we can gain another parcel of land.”
A murmur of agreement passed through the ranks.
“It is time we returned to our homeland,” I continued. “It’s long overdue. We can live in peace, away from the sweltering heat of this desert, away from the ceaseless forging of weapons for a war that never ends.”
A soldier raised his hand, a look of concern on his face. “My lord, what about the Niothe? The army marches on us even now.”
I met the soldier’s gaze, my resolve steeling. “I have no wish to kill our people, but I will do what I have to protect my men and to see our homeland free.”
Another voice, tinged with disdain, sneered, “And what of the slaves? Are we now to be allied with the lesser races?”
I found him in the crowd, studying his features. Erix Lazan--one of Rhazien’s favorites.
“Were they ‘lesser races’ when they killed Vetia? A goddess of fire and smoke?” I shook my head. “Do not be so quick to dismiss the humans and Remnants. They have proven themselves capable warriors time and again. We must stand together against our common enemy.”
The soldier nodded, satisfied with my answer.
I looked out over the sea of faces before me. “I will take the throne and remake the world as it should have been. But I will not be a tyrant. If anyone doesn’t want to stand beside me, they’re free to leave.”
My soldiers stood silent for a moment, unsure of what to do or say. A few left, casting me fearful glances as if they expected me to order their executions. Then, one by one, the rest knelt, shouting in unison.
“Hail Emperor Theron.”
