Page 121 of Seasons of War
“You truly never have failed me. I love you dearly for that.” The Phaedra knocked Luke's king over. “Checkmate.”
“Appropriate and timely.”
“Do you believe I favor Zayne?”
“Yes and no.” Luke reset the board for the Phaedra. “The empire believes you've chosen my brother as High General, and you fuel these rumors with your comments and behavior.”
The Phaedra leaned back in his chair. “Continue.”
“I think you know that I want High General more than anything and that it's the last thing Zayne wants, so you've pitted us against one another, denying us both our true desires. You've made him the chosen one, while I'm his shadow.”
“Doesn't that make you angry?”
“You're shaping us into who you need us to be. My brother and I are sharpening each other.” A pause. “It used to hurt me when I was younger.”
“I never want to hurt you.”
“If Zayne lives up to your hopes for him, then you'll choose him. I'm consistent and loyal, but expected. You're never sure of what he might do, and you see potential in that. But then you nearly let him die in Bluehaven, and I'm no longer sure you're so keen on him.”
A wicked smile crawled onto the Phaedra's face. “My boy, my boy. You're learning how to play the game.”
“The optics work in our favor. Ever since the massacre, enrollment is up, as well as public sentiment for our new fast-tracking program. Zayne is home where you need him right now. It's a worthwhile plan.”
“You believe I killed our own people?”
“Does it matter?” Luke knew it did, but he no longer felt the part of him that knew. He needed to play the game and not rebel against it like Zayne. His daughters needed this. “They're going to die anyway. I'm just surprised you were willing to sacrifice my brother.”
“Zayne is very good. If I allowed the Bluehaven massacre, I would trust fate to see him through, and if not fate, his skills.”
“My brother can't dodge bullets.”
“No matter what, you'll be one of my most incredible assets. Zayne may become my greatest asset, though. Do you hear the difference? You're a certainty. He's not. I need to guide him.”
“Or it is better for him to die.”
The quiet felt so loud. “I would be devastated if Zayne died.”
Luke truly believed him. The Phaedra always loved Zayne. That spurred jealousy in Luke for as long as he could remember. “If you believe in fate so much, then why do you work so hard to strategize?”
“Fate needs us to do our part.”
“You've decided now is the time,” Luke said, understanding dawning. “You're not waiting any longer for Zayne to grow into the man you need him to be. You're forcing him, even if it kills him.”
The Phaedra moved a pawn. “I'm just playing chess with a dear friend.”
What a dangerous, dangerous game. This wasn't as simple as teaching his brother that knives cut. “Show him mercy.”
Dark eyes rose to Luke, scrutinizing him.
“My brother needs more time.”
“I'll always give Zayne exactly what he needs.”
The power of his words slowed Luke's breathing. “Yes, my Phaedra.”
The conversation was over.
Luke didn't know what the Phaedra planned, but he desperately wanted his brother to be okay. To be happy for the first time in an incredibly long time.
