Page 28 of The Blade in the Ashes
“Kent’s the best choice,” I agreed, forcing myself to look away from him. “Eloquent, rational. Frankly, he’d probably be better at getting allies than you would be, Clay.”
Clay’s jaw worked as he looked down at the untouched food on his plate. When he lifted his gaze to meet mine after a moment of hesitation, the gold in his eyes was luminescent.
“I would like Kent to ensure the line of succession.”
Rankor choked, coughing intensely. “What’s that now?”
Heirs.
I hadn’t even stopped to think about that. Clay was our Dragon, ourking, and he didn’t have anyone to take the throne if he was injured or Gods forbid killed.
He was unwed, though. Even if we held a ceremony for him and Elaina tonight, which Clay would never agree to anyway, they would need to get pregnant. That could take months—years if they were unlucky.
So, Clay couldn’t produce an heir just yet, which meant…
“Your sisters,” Kent realized.
Clay nodded. “They’re next in line. Which makes them a target to Hyrax or any other nation that wants to claim my crown when this is all over.”
Clay had two younger half-sisters who were attending school in Copun, at the edges of Athenia. Princess Ezmie, at seven, was the eldest of the two and Myla was only four. They werechildren.
And Clay was right. They were in danger.
“You and Rankor will go get them and bring them here. Gather as many men as you can while you travel.”
Kent nodded, but his face had turned contemplative—pained for some reason that had nothing to do with the healing holes in his chest.
“What is it?” Clay’s brow furrowed as he looked at his friend.
Kent’s mouth opened, then closed as he considered. He turned to Rankor, who seemed to mirror his expression.
“Our families,” Rankor said with worried eyes. “Kent’s mother and sisters.My brother.”
Clay nodded, immediately understanding and not even stopping to consider. “Get them as well. Make sure they’re safe.”
I sighed, tracking over the plan. “So, it’s settled. While we wait for Thea, Kent and Rankor will gather an army, get their families, and secure the princesses. Camilla and Elaina will maintain leadership here. Clay and I will get allies.”
There was a sense of relief in saying it out loud. All of a sudden, we weren’t just living moment to moment anymore. We weren’t just surviving. Now, we had aplan. There was something to do. Some way for each of us to fight back.
“Actually, bird,” Nikolai’s voice captured my attention. “I have need of you.”
Unintentionally, I gulped, my back going rigid as the room seemed to swiftly warm.
No.
Absolutely not.
Whatever he wanted, I would not agree with that.
“You see,” Nikolai addressed Clay directly, even as I shot daggers at him with my eyes. “Last year, I gave your lovely cousin one of the Blades of Arto, and I have a theory about where I can find more.”
The room stilled, everyone all too aware of the tension between Nikolai and I and all apparently on the edge of their seats as they waited for Clay’s response. I bit down on my lower lip, steeling myself as Clay sent another one of those apologetic head bows towards me.
Well shit.
The Blades of Arto were weapons forged by the God of War himself—magically blessed to cause destruction. Everyone at this table knew just how valuable those weapons would be in a war.
They were valuable enough to send me with Nikolai if it increased the odds of us getting our hands on them.
