Page 143 of Blackheart

Xavian twirled his dagger on the table as Ansel pushed the map to him.

“Your Grace, if we can redirect the vessel leaving this week to an area close enough to the Southern Waywards, myself and a few others can infiltrate before the Sapphires arrive. Send enough ships to hold the Dark Natured ten days behind us; that’s all we’ll need. On the tenth day, we’ll ensure that the people have a way to escape onto those ships.”

While I was from the Northern Waywards, not Southern, they were surely set up similarly. It would take a massive fleet, and would also require overtaking the Drakers and seven Witchlords. The task he was suggesting required inside knowledge.

“Uh, where are we getting these ships?” Avan asked, peering at the map.

Arthur Pos groaned, adjusting his spectacles. “I will supply twenty ships.”

Xavian glowered skeptically. “In exchange for?”

“Youfind my daughter a respectable match. And no morerelationswith her.”

Xavian considered this, shrugging. “Deal. Lord Avan, you’re engaged.”

Avan choked on his ale, grasping at the stem of the goblet.

“I’ll supply forty ships, and the men to man them,” Lord Regby interjected. He gave Lord Pos a gnarly side glance. “In exchange for my son to be freed of his engagement to the barren one.”

“Deal. Pos, your ships are unneeded. We’ll negotiate a new match at a later date. Next,” Xavian said, taking a drag of his smoke.

Riven followed suit, lighting his own.

“I’ll be going,” I declared.

Horrified looks struck everyone in the room except for Ansel, who tilted his chin with intrigue.

I would’ve never volunteered to go back to the Waywards before, but this was different. I knew what was at stake. I refused to sit on my ass while Ansel became the hero.

“Youare making heirs,” Lord Draven said coolly. “Your brother's betrothal won’t arrive from Lestivia for months, maybe years at this rate. We need a bloodline established.”

I leaned forward. “I wasn’t asking for permission. I have two distinguished individuals who will want to go as well. Oh, and mypersonal guard, Sir Riven. He has excellent Draker knowledge that will be useful for our venture.”

I rubbed Riven’s shoulder with a smile. Ansel shook his head, biting back an amused grin.

“I’m most certainly not going,” Lady Jocelynn interrupted.

I rolled my eyes. “I’m fully aware.”

She’d never voluntarily leave her home, and that was perfectly fine. She had children and a life to maintain here.

I did not.

“Elora, you have a duty to marry,” Xavian reminded.

He was right, and I would, while making sure I got my bargain’s worth.

“I will keep my promise, but I will also go on this trip. Also, while we’re discussing important matters, I want livestock sent to Moonhill regularly.”

I wasn’t sure why, but Ineededto be more confident in front of Ansel.

Arthur Pos shook his head. “We should not be feeding the bladebreathers. They’re the rats of the sky.”

My eyes narrowed. “Says a man who would cower in the face of one. They’re hungry. If you all want me to feed Castivian with heirs until Xavian’s wife steps in, then feed the bladebreathers.”

“It will be done,” Xavian decided, raising his hands in finality.

A grin tugged at the corner of my lips. At least I’d done one thing right.