Page 88

Horrified by the news, all I could do was stare at him, lost for words.

Wrath appeared beside me, suddenly dressed in his uniform and armor like he was about to report for battle himself.

At that moment, my father emerged from the castle, fully dressed for war with his sword across his back. Just like in the memory Wrath had shown me, my father’s face was contortedin a deep shade of rage. His general walked beside him, and he made a list of orders so fast, spit flew out of his mouth.

“Rooooaaaaaarrrrr!”

I recognized Khazmuda’s voice from up above. A moment later, I felt the vibrations of the cliff when he landed with a thud, ready to take my father across the sea to raise his sword for people who had raised their swords for us in the past.

My mother left the castle doors and hurried to catch up with my father. It was the first time I’d seen him ignore her.

“Dad, what’s happening?”

He even ignored me, looking at Khazmuda as if they were engaged in deep conversation.

“Dad.”

He finally snapped out of the connection and looked at me. “Riviana Star is under attack, and I must defend it. All the dragons who have volunteered will take as many soldiers as they can carry across the Great Sea. It’ll only amount to an additional hundred soldiers, but perhaps the dragons can help us in this fight. Hawk and I will go while you stay here with your mother.”

“Stay here?” I asked in disbelief.

He stepped around me to head to Khazmuda. “Lily, I don’t have time to argue. Every moment we waste is another tree that burns.” His cape billowed behind him, and the hilt of his blade gleamed in the sunlight.

I chased after him. “Dad.”

“Don’t go.”

I stilled and tried not to make it obvious that I was staring at someone who wasn’t there.

“Even if you prevail, the Barbarians will know the Southern Isles has a horde of dragons like gold coins in a vault. They will come for you next. Tell your father to abandon Riviana Star to its fate.”

My eyes widened as I looked upon his face. I couldn’t say all the things I wanted, not without looking like I’d lost my mind.

“Don’t go,” Wrath repeated. Just as he’d asked me not to depart from his island and cross the path of those monsters, he pleaded with me once again. This time, I should listen.

But I couldn’t. “Dad.” He was checking his supplies hooked to Khazmuda’s saddle, and I grabbed his shoulder and forced him to turn around. “I’m going?—”

“I said, I don’t have time for this, Lily. It’s too dangerous, and you’re still staying here.”

“Too dangerous?” I asked incredulously. “You choose me as your successor, choose me to rule the Southern Isles in your stead, but you don’t expect me to raise my sword for my allies? For the people I love? I’m a damn good fighter, and you know it.”

“Which is why you need to stay here?—”

“You know that’s not the reason. You can’t have it both ways, Dad. You can’t insist that I’m destined to be queen if you won’t let me risk my life the way you’re allowed to risk yours. I love that forest and its people. I love my aunt and uncle. I’m an adult, and if it’s my desire to fight for them, then you can’t stop me.”

Wrath stood a short distance away, listening to the exchange with an intense gaze.

I saw so much anger in my father’s eyes, but the heat slowly died down the longer he stared.

“I want to fight.” My hand tightened into a fist and moved to the center of my chest. The Barbarians had killed my entire crew, and now they wanted to do the same to the elves. This was personal—on every level.

“Lily.” He lowered his voice and stepped toward me. All sense of urgency vanished. “You’ve never been in a battle like this. I can’t protect you. I can’t look after you. I must focus on my enemy. I must protect the tree.”

“I understand, Dad.”

His eyes flicked back and forth between mine.

“I would never be the kind of queen that sends men to win my wars and bring me trophies. I would fight alongside my men, just as you’ve done. I wouldn’t be worthy as your successor if I stayed behind. I would be a disgrace to the Southern Isles if I were trained by the best swordsman who ever lived and chose not to use that skill when it mattered most. I understand this is hard for you…but this is what I want.”