Page 120 of A Kiss of Hammer and Flame

Then Cahra glanced to Ozumbre.

Unlike Kolyath’s, their army was silent. Finally, a Captain stepped up.

‘While we appreciate the sentiment in your words, we would welcome further dialogue before committing to a course of action,’ the high-born answered her. ‘As you said. To find common ground.’

‘That’s fair,’ Cahra told him. ‘What is your name?’

‘Captain – Lord – Swithan,’ the man said.

Cahra gave a nod. ‘Then I look forward to speaking further, Swithan.’

The noble’s face hardened, but he simply nodded as, behind Cahra, Hael loomed, his unearthly eyes a deterrent against any argument.

‘It is settled. The Empress shall send word in the coming months, when the capital is ready to host the sister kingdoms of Kolyath, Luminaux and Ozumbre in a united celebration. All peoples will be invited, including those of the neutral lands, the Wilds,’ Hael continued. An all-kingdom event was unheard of, and a ripple of excitement stirred.

But would old hostilities?

‘Peace will be a prerequisite,’ Hael said, before Cahra could voice the issue to him. He turned slowly, facing each kingdom. ‘Now, return to your lands. We shall call upon you once the capital is ready. We bid you all farewell.’ Hael’s eyes caught Cahra’s as he paused, then dropped to one knee. ‘ALL HAIL CAHRAELIA, EMPRESS OF HAEL’STROMIA!’

Hael’s depthless voice resounded across the battlefield, and Cahra’s mouth fell open. Luminaux and Kolyath’s people followed, kneeling. One by one, heads bowed, spreading like a never-ending wave that broke across the land.

‘Hael—’

Hael murmured, in a voice so quiet it seemed to find its way directly into her ear, ‘They must accept you, in this new era.’

‘I guess…’ Cahra said, then cleared her throat as she realised he, Wyldaern, Thierre, Sylvie, Raiden, Tyne –everyone– was still bowing to her. ‘Rise, please,’ she begged them. The scene was unbelievable.

Her whole life was unbelievable now.

And it would never, ever be normal again.

Thierre, watching, interrupted her thoughts. ‘Then it truly has all come to pass?’ Voice wavering, he masked it with one of his courtly smiles.

‘I suppose it has,’ Cahra said softly. She didn’t want to ask him if he’d be all right when she knew he’d be going back to chaos. The King’s funeral; a new Luminaux monarch; everything with Delicia, how ever that would turn out. Thierre would face a challenging time. ‘Whatever happens back at home, know that you’ve got friends here,’ she said, her voice low. ‘I’m here if you need someone to talk to, okay?’

Though her words were meant to comfort him, she thought maybe she’d said the wrong thing as something tightened in his face.

Thierre nodded. ‘Friends,’ he murmured.

Cahra saw Sylvie gaze across Luminaux’s forces, many of whom were injured and being attended by war physicians like Merali.

‘Your soldiers fought well today,’ she told the General, feeling the same responsibility when she looked at Kolyath’s army. She placed a hand on Sylvie’s plated shoulder.

‘We did. At heavy cost,’ the General replied, casting a glance to the banner where Luminaux’s healers worked tirelessly. ‘Morale is difficult in times like these, but we’ll hold. We always do.’ Sylvie’s eyes flickered to Cahra. ‘We won today. It’s enough.’

Cahra clasped the woman’s arm. ‘Yes, we did.’

Thierre looked to Sylvie, Raiden, Tyne, his guards and people. His family and friends. ‘It is time. We depart for Luminaux.’ The new King’s blue goldstone eyes shone with sorrow. ‘Farewell, Empress… Glory be.’ Thierre bowed again to Cahra, his people following.

‘Keep in touch,’ Cahra said to Sylvie. Glancing at her brother, the General nodded. Then took one look at Wyldaern and swept the Seer tightly into her arms.

Cahra’s brows shot up in surprise. She hadn’t realised they’d become friends.

‘As will I,’ Raiden told Cahra, smiling. She hugged the Captain.

‘Take care of him,’ Cahra said. She had a feeling it wouldn’t be easy.

‘I promise,’ he said, Raiden’s smile fading as quickly as it had come.