Page 100 of Queen’s Gambit

I nodded. My men would be rested, and the scouts should have gathered enough information about the terrain.

‘Yes, we’ll attack,’ I said as my Lord Marshal walked over with a scruffy girl trailing behind him. ‘Ivar? Who’s this with you?’

‘My lord, this child says she needs to speak with you,’ he said. I raised an eyebrow, but trusted him enough not to question why he’d brought this girl to me.

‘What is your name?’ I asked when she bowed.

She was dressed like a sailor—wide canvas trousers and a shirt with rolled-up sleeves, cinched at the waist by a belt with a butcher knife hanging from the loop. Her dark skin was ashen and gaunt, and her eyes held the determination of someone with nothing left to lose.

‘I’m Amala. You’re her king,’ she stated, placing her thumb behind her belt, her gaze challenging.

‘Her?’ I asked, and the girl smiled.

‘The mage, Roksana. I’m here to repay my debt.’ I sighed, wondering where this would end.

‘Child… Amala. My queen doesn’t collect debts. Whatever she did for you had no strings attached. Hide, be safe, and live. That’s what Sana would want.’ I tried to be gentle, but the girl huffed.

‘Live? My mother is dead. My town is dead. And you want me to hide?’ Tears glistened in her eyes, and I flinched at the pain burning in their depths.

‘There’s nothing you…’ She raised her hand, stopping me.

‘I’m not alone. We will burn their ships and poison their supplies. Even if I die, I don’t care.’ Her chin trembled, but she held her head high and looked me in the eye. ‘Just promise me… Promise me you and your mage will destroy those bastards. The sea heard her song, and we belong to the sea. When I die, ask her to sing for Amala.’

‘I can’t let you burn their ships. Not yet. Cornered warriors fight more fiercely.’ I brushed the stray tear that fell from the girl’s eye. ‘I’m here to destroy them, but I won’t sacrifice you in order to do it. I’m not the Hierophant.’

Amala slumped, dropping her head. She seemed utterly lost and defeated. I went down on one knee and embraced the girl, letting her lay her head on my chest.

‘I blamed her for my mother’s death. Thought that if she hadn’t come here, ma would still be alive. I wanted to kill her. So stupid… I was so stupid,’ she whispered, and something tightened in my chest. ‘I should have followed her when she asked.’

Sana hadn’t told me about this. It left me wondering whether my queen would ever be able to heal, to share the trials that left behind such scars.

One thing was clear. Roksana wanted this girl to live, not to cast her life away on a suicidal attack.

‘If there are more of you, then become my scouts. Our enemies could attack from behind. If you and your compatriots help keep watch, it will free up my soldiers for the battle. Can you do this for me?’ I asked. The girl nodded, her earlier determination returning.

‘We see everything. Tivalaran is full of displaced people. We’ll take care of it for you,’ she said, and I gestured to Ivar.

‘Take her to the quartermaster. Give them supplies and establish a communication method,’ I ordered, pretending I hadn’t seen Ormond’s face full of understanding and compassion. I thought it was for the girl, but his expression remained the same when he looked at me.

‘Just love her, Rey. You’re worried because the people have turned Sana into a symbol, aren’t you?’ he asked, and I sighed because my brother articulated my worry even before I recognised it. ‘Let me give you one piece of advice. Stop trying to control something beyond your control. Men like us are the shield, the bedrock beneath their feet as they brave the storm.’

‘How do you deal with this?’

‘I remind Annika every single day that she’s loved. That she doesn’t have to bear the burden of the world by herself.’ He gave me a knowing smile but it didn’t hide his sadness. ‘It is too easy to forget that the strongest suffer and bleed just like any other. They just hide their pain better.’

‘I envy the bond you share. I wish Sana had another who could guard her heart the way Alaric protects Annika,’ I said. My vision blurred as a deluge of emotion flooded my soul, and I grasped Orm’s arm to steady myself.

Reynard, I will fry your lying arse. She has me. Sanika is my mate!

‘I guess your dragon didn’t like what you said?’ Ormond quirked a brow when I wiped the blood trickling from my nose.

‘Yeah, I made a mistake forgetting how lucky I am,’ I answered, cursing the damned lizard for making me bleed.

You shouldn’t forget. Cin’s roar turned every head in the camp before he shut me out of his mind.

‘I’ll leave you two to discuss it,’ Orm chuckled before mounting his horse. I nodded, and once he left, I pulled a few loose pieces of parchment from my saddlebag and drew up the attack plans.

Dusk had settled over the sea by the time I looked up. Pink clouds teased the horizon, creating a picturesque backdrop for the ships and army below. High above, only the silhouette of the dragons was visible through the darkening sky.