Page 253 of Onyx Cage: Volume II
“And what about you?” I asked, carefully studying his expression. “What happens when this is over?”
Understanding dawned in his sharp gaze. He glanced between us, making sure he had both of our attention.
“Then we go back to the way things were,” he said matter-of-factly. “I didn’t want the throne before, and I sure as hell don’t want it now.”
The sincerity in his expression made me believe him. Theodore had never been power-hungry, and despite his willingness to go against his brother now, when it was a necessity, he was still too loyal, too honor-bound to steal the throne for himself.
It was as I had told Rowan the first time we fought about motives. No one with any sense wanted the cursed throne.
I pushed aside the issue of how much harder trade would be now that the usual enmity between clans had been fortified in blood. Bear had trade with Lochlann, and with Crane and Lynx.
It would have to suffice.
It only took two weeks for Iiro to extend the invitation—and only four words for him to show his arse.
To my loyal subject; Sir Evander, Duke of Clan Bear and Servant of the Socairan Crown,
I have decided, against my better judgment, to extend one last opportunity for you to do what is right to further a united Socair. In exactly three weeks’ time, we will be holding the annual tithing at the Palace. I will expect your presence, along with the agreed upon taxes.
And I am certain you will convince your allies to do their part as well. After all, no one wants a real war.
His Royal Majesty, King Iiro
I breathed out a sigh, rolling my eyes at the sheer audacity theaaliohad.A real war. If his men weren’t feeling mutinous already, they sure as storms would be if they saw him making light of their own heavy casualties along with mine.
But, it was no more than I had expected since he was, in fact, anaalio.
After crumpling the letter, I tossed it into the fireplace. It would make for nice kindling later on.
From there, Rowan and I began to set things in motion. We would need to alert our men, need to fully prepare now that it was actually happening. But there was something still nigglingat me when I looked at my wife and saw nothing but unshakable trust in her jade eyes.
“We need this to be a success,” I said, tightly.
“I know,” she replied, stepping closer to rest her hand against my forearm. “And your plan is a good one.”
Perhaps, but we needed more than that if we wanted to leave nothing to chance.
As it stood, Rowan and I would travel to the Obsidian Palace together, and Andrei would follow with her army of Unclanned. We would wait until they were inside the gates before staging our coup. Every piece was in place…except for one.
The one that held the most promise of victory.
We only had one chance to overthrow Iiro, and I wasn’t willing to risk it with a plan that was merelygood.
“But not perfect,” I said, my muscles tightening, that invisible cord between us going so taut that it felt like it might snap.
“Nothing is perfect,” she said drily, her eyes narrowing in question.
I kept my features neutral. I could stop here, keep my mouth shut, and take my chances and keep her at my side where she belonged.
But I had promised her honesty. And I had promised her respect. Besides, I did have faith in her, my endlessly impressive wife.
So I forced myself to admit what I had been considering since the night Korhonan left.
“The men respect Andrei,” I said carefully. “But they revere you. And your affinity works best when you are out among the elements.”
The strategist and commander in me knew that the most powerful weapon in our arsenal was my storm-wielding wife.Even if every other part of me recoiled at the idea of putting her at risk this way.
Her lips parted, her shoulders falling as realization settled into her bones. She already knew what I was going to say.