Page 239 of Seasons of War
Neither of them argued with Zayne. The truth of his words overcame the distance and disagreements between them. The war between them.
“I used to fight the Phaedra more,” the High General said. “When he decided to kill Adelle for failing as a mother, and had yet to decide Zayne's fate, I swore myself to him, not as his High General, but as a man. I promised allegiance to him, not the empire.” Glassy eyes met Zayne's. “I have my ways of checking his power, but not like I once did.”
“Mom is dead. Your debt is repaid.” The agony of it burned through him. “We can take care of ourselves. Be High General again, not his servant.”
“There's more to lose than ever.” Father looked at Luke. “There's children in this family.”
“You can still fight for your empire. You both can.” Zayne didn't allow fear to stop what he said. “Check his power. There's a reason Rivens have always served at the Phaedra's side.”
“Then we should discuss Caspador.” Father's emotion drained when he opened his folder. “The Phaedra believes we'll still be invited to the summit. That gives us leverage with him. He knows he needs to repair his image over the next year or the oceanic colonies will not be interested.”
Luke steepled his fingers. “We can't give up ground we've already taken, but we can leave the king in place.”
“The Phaedra is adamant about a change in regime,” Father said.
“He abandoned his plans for that.” Zayne folded his arms. “He's the one who strayed. If we invade Caspador and wipe out their leadership, it'll destabilize the kingdom beyond repair. Does he want another Antor? Imagine those political optics.”
Father stared at the wall. “Instead of using this to destroy the king, we use it to make him ours. He's weak. He'll bend his knee.”
True. But Miya wouldn't. She had to make it back to the palace and save Caspador from what their fathers and the Phaedra would do.
“What is Christopher doing now?” Zayne asked, slowing his breathing to keep his heart rate steady and conceal the importance of his question.
“Cleaning up his mess with the asset who burned us. I believe he's licking his wounds by seeking his revenge for the Phaedra. The boy's military career is ruined. He couldn't have performed worse in Caspador.”
What else could go wrong? Anything? “Aren't there more important matters for him to attend to?”
“That boy has done enough damage,” Father said. “I don't want him near anything important. Let him keep himself busy with his asset.”
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. “He should return to Ciondo if he's a liability.”
“We need to respond to the betrayal.”
Christopher wasn't the one he was worried about. If Zayne said anything else, Luke or Father may wonder why he cared so much. He didn't want to imagine what Christopher would do to Miya and Lance.
“I hope someone is keeping a close eye on him,” Zayne said. Could he get Father to divulge his location? Zayne wished he had access to the tracking system.
“Don't worry about him. We have him handled.”
At that, Luke's eyes shifted to Zayne. He'd need to find another way to help Miya. His brother was too suspicious of everything he said.
Zayne didn't like risking a video call while within Ciondo, but when Reinard sent a message saying Major Tyndale convinced one of his generals to talk to him, he couldn't pass up the opportunity.
He sat in his tree against a black sheet to hide the names from the United, looking at the woman who had ordered Kira dead when they were supposed to save her. The same woman who refused to provide him with jets when he offered to join their side. General Roul.
Dark brunette hair crept from beneath her cap. Her uniform glittered with badges he hoped to see her stripped of after how she treated Kira. “Sergeant Riven,” she said.
He didn't honor her with a name. “So, you're the idiot who rejected my offer?”
“I'm the idiot who didn't invade the airspace over the emperor's tower.”
“What about now? Do you see that pulling punches doesn't save you from the Phaedra? He's coming for you. Stop letting fear guide this war and strike him.”
“Do you believe in this strategy, or are you just trying to get Kira out?”
“Both.”
A snort. Roul raised her brows. “Well, the invasion of Caspador changes everything. We're now willing to discuss your proposal. We need a strong response to the Phaedra's unprecedented aggression against his own loyal kingdom.”
