AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I stepped from the table and turned my back on them all. Another moment among them, and I’d say all the things I shouldn’t. They’d figure it out. As for me, I was not meant to sit around tables and argue the finer points of war.
What I needed was a bottle of War’s finest wine, a sunset to admire, and perhaps a fiddle, if I could find one.
“Lark, wait,” Arin called.
“You know what to do.” I saluted and left War’s chamber, slamming the door behind me.
CHAPTER41
Arin
Ogden freeingLark had confirmed my suspicions: we had power in his court. And power meant everything at War’s table. But power, without direction, was dangerous. Our discussions hadn’t been moving forward until Lark had spoken up. His straightforward analysis struck like a slap to the face, sweeping away all the egos and bravado. We reached an agreement for Ogden to gather his forces and open the gates to all who sought shelter, including those arriving from Justice. We’d formed an alliance.
Albeit a fragile one, but an alliance nonetheless. Razak couldn’t fail to notice.
“We should get cleaned up and celebrate!” Draven declared as we left the council chambers. The sun had set hours ago, leaving a chill in the shifting desert air.
He clapped me on the back. “Find Lark. Let’s take the win and drink to the fact we still have our heads.”
Tired, hungry, and filthy from the road, I might have preferred a soft bed to a bottle of wine, but Draven’s and Noemi’s grins wore me down. “All right. We’ll meet you soon.”
I veered off through the gardens and spotted an armed guard falling into step a few strides behind. We would, of course, be observed. I’d have been more surprised if we weren’t.
I’d expected to find Lark in the gardens, not far from our meeting chambers, but he must have moved elsewhere after he’d walked out. The pyramid’s dramatic tip gleamed under the moonlight, and that same moonlight draped the long viaduct bridge in cool light, and I knew exactly where he’d be.
The wind swept across the bridge like it had the day I’d joined with Draven. Another guard loitered outside the pyramid’s main doors. “Is Zayan inside?” I asked.
The man nodded. “Been there a while.”
“What’s he doing?”
“Sitting.”
Just sitting? I opened the door, told the guard to inform my tagalong I’d be inside, and entered, immediately spotting Lark sitting on the altar with a half-empty bottle of wine clutched in his right hand. He saw me and returned his gaze to the floor in front of the altar—the exact place where Razak had forced poison down his throat.
“We came to an agreement,” I said. The vast space took my voice and bounced it off the sloped, painted walls. “As you said, Razak will not ignore an alliance of all three courts.”
Lark lifted his gaze again, peering through his lashes, then took a swig from the wine bottle. He had the air about him that suggested trouble with a hint of wicked, the look he got when he was hurt and searching for something or someone to hurt too.
“You were impressive in the council.” I leaned against the altar, next to him.
“Was I?” He laughed. “I was bored. There’s no skill in that.”
“Oh, believe me, there is. Council meetings often get bogged down by too much politics. We wouldn’t have an alliance on the table without you.”
His right eyebrow arched in query. “Truly?”
“Would I lie to you?”
“Yes, frequently.” He took another swig from the bottle and offered it to me. “War is good for wine, at least.”
I took the bottle and without ceremony, took several gulps—needing it. It was good, sweet, smooth, and reminded me of the sweltering nights Draven and I had spent discussing how best to stop Razak, when he’d known all along that he’d be the one to ensure Razak stole the crown and won.
The wine soured at those thoughts. “Draven has suggested we celebrate.”
“You don’t sound pleased.”
I handed the bottle back. “Just tired, I think.”
