Page 179 of Salt in the Seas
The king sat back, his expression still distrustful. “Go on.”
“Perhaps you already know that it was a large faction of Recreants who eventually subdued her.”
“For a time,” the king corrected.
“For a time,” Aeliana agreed. “It came at a high cost for the Recreants, making them eager to ensure her demise. They are motivated to help. Their numbers aren’t as mighty as they once were, but they are still powerful. Inviting them to help defeat Mayvus again would be like taking a baby chick under your wing. Perhaps they can help you defend or retake the fortress at Myndren Mountains, but perhaps teaming up with them is simply a way to keep them content and confident you’re looking out for their best interests instead of your own, making them less eager to wage war on you next.”
The king stroked his beard, considering her words. “Another delegation came here mere days ago, offering similar information, but with far less compelling arguments.”
Aeliana stilled. “Who?” She pressed her lips together, realizing she’d spoken out of turn, but it was as if the question awakened Enla, and the younger woman smiled benevolently.
“Your mother and father, along with two old friends.”
“They’re here?” Aeliana wrung her hands once more, no longer able to control her nerves.
Enla glanced pointedly at her father. “Theywerehere.” She let the words hang in the air, her gaze never leaving her father’s face.
“Tell me,” the king commanded, “where is Mayvus getting her army?”
“From Ahmranas,” Aeliana admitted.
The king stiffened, and Aeliana waited for him to call her out for insanity. Instead, he gave a brisk nod. “Take them to the guest rooms and have their stories verified by the progenies. We’ll reconvene in the morning.”
Aeliana glanced at Sylmar, her nerves rising, but pride shone in his face as he gave her a nod.
CHAPTER 68
The screechof the hall door opening made everyone in the prison sit up straighter. Gaeren stood and gripped the bars, leaning against them to see as far down the hall as he possibly could. A ray of light shone as a door opened. It wasn’t their normal time frame for food or personal needs. Maybe it was Fernandus again, but this time with news from Riveran.
Instead it was one of the guards, and a different sort of hope rose in Gaeren’s chest.
“Prince Gaeren.” The guard gave a stiff nod in his direction, the title acknowledgment making Gaeren close his eyes in relief.
Something had changed.
The guard shoved a key in the lock. “Your father has rescinded his temporary judgment on your treasonous acts as well as on our guests’ possible collaboration. New evidence has led him to reconsider the news brought forth by Emeris Wyndren, and deliberations will be held for how to proceed with joint efforts to eradicate Mayvus Wyndren’s power.”
Now everyone in the prison stood alongside Gaeren, their faces all holding the same shock Gaeren felt.
“Did he actually send out scouts?” Gaeren asked.
The guard hesitated. “Not to my knowledge. A second delegationarrived confirming your words. You’ll have to ask your father for any more details.”
“Iwillask him,” Gaeren muttered. “He owes these people an apology.”
Shock rippled across the guard’s features before he shuttered his expression back to the silent escort. As he led them through the dank hall of the dungeon, a rat skittered across the floor, and Orra let out an uncharacteristic gasp as she scooted closer to Emeris.
“I assume we’ll be given rooms and attendance along with ample food and rest before we’re expected to participate in these deliberations?” The question felt pompous after Gaeren’s shift in politics, making him wonder if guards and servants within his own palace were part of the Recreants’ movement. Because who would want to be treated the way the royal family treated most of their staff?
But it was meant to be more of a slight on his father and the poor treatment they’d received after approaching the king for assistance, and the guard’s misstep made Gaeren suspect he understood.
“Of course, sir.”
As much as Gaeren longed for the guard to pick up his pace, he and the others dragged, their energy levels low from a lack of food, sleep, and the Sun’s light over the last two days. When they reached a section of the palace that started to resemble less of the dungeon and more of the royal rooms, the Sun’s light streamed through windows, and they all slowed to soak in its rays. Orra even raised her hands and closed her eyes, a shiver running through her body as she soaked it in.
His father should be ashamed of what he’d done to these people—people who hadn’t even been confirmed enemies. Things had to change, and Gaeren steeled himself to face the truth that he was the one who had to do it.
But it still came back to the same old question. Could he do it and spare Enla? And now he had the added complication of whether or not he could do it and spare both Enla and Aeliana.
