A Vow So Bold and Deadly

“You and me, Brother. For the good of all.”

“I long for your counsel. If you would be willing to give it.”

“You are more than I deserve.”

“Well. You did say you’d level a city for me.”

Nolla Verin says there have been more attacks. That the faction against magic grows stronger, not weaker.”

Grey curls around me, his breath in my hair, his hand resting against my abdomen. “Have no fear, my love. No one will touch you.” He pauses, and his voice gains an edge. “And rest assured that no one will dare touch our child

I sense more than feel Grey drop to a knee beside me, but then his hand rests over my belly, which has not yet begun to swell and curve with motherhood. He leans in to speak right to my abdomen. “You should be kind to your mother.”

I laugh softly—but the nausea suddenly passes. I snap open my eyes. “It worked.”

A light sparks in his eyes. “He already knows I will not stand for disobedience.”

Grey looks over at me. “I did not mean to offend you.”

“I know.” I look at the ceiling. “I think …” My thoughts are loosening. Drifting. “I think I sought to offend myself. You took nothing from me. I yielded.”

He says nothing to that, and we lie among the broken glass and wood for the longest time.

“I would ask you to stay,” he says quietly. “To join me, Rhen.”

“Lia Mara,” he says, alarmed.

I inhale to answer, to tell him I’m fine.

Instead, I throw up all over his boots.

“I’m sorry,” I gasp, mortified. “I’m sorry. I’ve—I’ve been sick with worry—”

And then, to my horror, I do it again.

“Noah!” Grey calls, and there’s worry in his voice. His hands hold back my hair.

“Oh yeah,” says Noah, and his voice isn’t concerned at all. If anything, he sounds amused. “About that.”

“This is foolhardy,” Clanna Sun hisses at me. “Your mother would never have—”

“I am not my mother,” I snap at her. “And you will remember your place.

“Let us face my army. Let me introduce them to the rightful heir.”

I startle, then stare at him in surprise.

Rhen smiles, then holds out a hand. “For the good of Emberfall.”

I clasp it. “For the good of all.”

I look at Rhen, Harper, and Zo, who are still standing apart from my soldiers, their expressions worn and uncertain. Captain Solt is eyeing them vengefully. The distance between them all seems to be vast. Lia Mara has so many plans for a peaceful alliance, but despite everything we accomplished here tonight, any path forward is going to be fraught with challenges.