Page 32 of Crown of Iron (The Crown Trilogy #1)

Nineteen

M y boots pound against the floor as I race through the hub’s hallways, sidestepping soldiers and tightly rounding the corners.

I skid to a stop at the main strategy room door and wipe my palms on my pants.

Grabbing the handle, I crack the door open, and my heart rate speeds to a sprint.

All heads turn in my direction, and the officers fall silent.

I disguise my embarrassment by squaring my shoulders and holding my chin high as I ease into the empty chair next to Leif.

“You're late,” Kyron says from the head of the long dark-wood table.

“Time just got?—”

He cocks an eyebrow, showing no interest in my excuse.

“My apologies, General LeFur,” I say, folding my hands on the tabletop.

I forced my way into this meeting, yet I couldn't make it on time.

I was caught up in my training with Wel.

The drill sergeant's gift isn't strong, but I enjoyed sending the small balls of light into the sky where they burst into blinding flashes.

It's just a matter of time before I can summon the gift of another instead of relying on them to activate it. The energy sits just out of my reach, like a word on the tip of my tongue. And when I can completely control others’ powers, I'll be unstoppable.

Greer clears her throat and says, “The issue we face with any rescue mission is Abrum's desire to leave Stigian. He has a reason for being there, and if we don't eliminate that reason, he won't pass across the border.”

Along with a promise to call a truce to anoint the next in line for their thrones, Micah and Esmeray agreed to leave their borders open to those who wish to cross them, binding the agreement with the Statera.

They can't march their army into the other's kingdom and unwillingly take the people.

It's the reason the Stigians present such a tempting offer to Khiros and Cyffreds alike, and why they invade our lands.

The harder life is in Lucent, the more desperate the people will become to leave.

Our war is not only about freedom, but it is also a numbers game.

The more Cyffreds the Stigians possess, the stronger their Khiros forces.

And when Lucent is nothing more than a few small villages, Esmeray will make her move to dethrone Micah and take from every Cyffred.

Kyron runs his hands through his hair and leans back in his seat. “I've searched Abrum's office high and low and have found nothing pointing to his reason for going.”

“My father doesn't have what Esmeray wants; Micah does,” I mumble.

Everyone in this room knew my secret before my confession to Kyron. For more than a month, they have taken me into their rankings and treated me like I'm no different from the next soldier. I desperately don't want things to change, but this is greater than my desire for acceptance.

Leif squeezes my knee, and I exhale a long breath before continuing. “I heard Esmeray say she’ll exchange this item for my father. We just need to find it.”

The older officer I met in Leif's office the night of the attack at Lake Holly speaks up. “We could be charged with treason if word gets back to the king. How do you propose we discover what this item is and keep him in the dark, Your Grace?”

I flinch at the formality, but hold my voice steady, saying, “I have access to Micah, and no one will think twice about seeing me wander the palace. I just have to return home.”

“Raelle?” Leif whispers, his voice seeping with concern.

“It's all right. I'll tell them I was in over my head.” I meet Kyron's gaze and give him a weak smile. “You’ll have done your job with me.”

He holds my gaze and opens his mouth as if to say something but quickly closes it again. With a nod, he returns his attention to the meeting .

The energy at the table is lively as everyone speculates on what the Stigian queen could want.

They toss around theories and ideas about how I’ll get it here once I get my hands on it.

Their excitement fuels mine and I realize I was what they needed all along.

I’m someone to assure them everything will be all right.

They’re risking their lives for one man.

It must feel like a gamble. One that could leave them imprisoned or worse.

I'm their in, their scapegoat, their call to action.

The only reason I came here was so I could be a part of this rescue mission, to charge the gates of Stigian and bring my father home. My efforts won't be the heroic adventure I pictured them to be, but they’ll serve the greater purpose.

The words of my father resound in my head: honor isn't found in the fight, but in the sacrifice.

And this is a tremendous sacrifice.

“Let's reconvene in two days. Until then, think of every turn this mission can take. I want a foolproof plan in place. Everyone is dismissed,” Kyron says, keeping his gaze on the pages of the journal in front of him. I stand to follow everyone out of the room. “Not you, Raelle. Sit.”

With a sigh, I plop into my seat and stare at my fingernails.

The last officer exits, closing the door behind them, and Kyron rests his quill on the closed book. I shift under his watchful eye, eager for him to state the reason he kept me behind. He leans forward and I meet his gaze.

“We can find another way,” he says.

“Not without putting these officers at risk of losing their jobs or being imprisoned.”

The legs of his chair slide across the wooden floor, followed by his footsteps.

He sits on the tabletop facing me, steadying himself with a booted foot on the ground.

In the silence, our gifts mingle. Now that it's becoming second nature, I'm aware of how playful the two powers are together.

Mine tugs at his and his brushes against mine.

The merriment of their reunion eases me.

He hooks a finger under my chin and lifts it. “I don't want you to do anything you don't want to do.”

“I want to save my father. The price doesn't matter to me,” I whisper.

“I'll do whatever you need me to do, just say the word. But I…” He releases my face and rubs his lips together .

“But you what?”

“I want you to know you have a place here if this is where you want to be.”

I know I shouldn't do it. I should keep my distance, especially after the decision I've made, but I set my hand over his and run my thumb along his rough knuckles. “This was never intended to be permanent, Kyron.”

He flips his hand, pressing our palms together, and his shadows slink between our fingers. “I know, but the offer still stands if you ever feel the uncontrollable desire to be near my gift. I've heard it's irresistible.” He fights to hold back a smile and his midnight eyes sparkle with good humor.

As I watch his dark mist slide around our hands, my heart aches with a burn I fear will never subside.

Just like Leif, Kyron deserves better than what I can offer him.

He can be nothing more than a hidden lover, who warms my bed under the veil of night.

I won't do that to him. He should be with someone who doesn't have to hide him away like a shameful secret.

I let my hand linger longer than I should, basking in the warmth of his touch. When I move to pull away, he holds me in place.

“Please, don't,” he says.

“We can't.”

“Just for a moment, let me pretend like you won't forget me when you leave.”

I push through the emotion collecting in my throat and the painful ache in my heart. “That would be impossible, Kyron LeFur.”

He must know it's true. How could I forget the man who brought my gift to life with his? At times, I feel like his power belongs to me. It’s at home with me and I'm comfortable with it.

I would gladly keep it if I could and share mine with him in return.

And the desire, the connection between us, it's consuming, strong, unforgettable.

“I’ll escort you back to the capital if it pleases, Your Grace,” he says with mock reverence.

“Kyron.”

“Don't worry, next week is the annual Generals’ Summit, so I'm due at the palace, anyway.”

“You have been to the capital? I've never seen you there. How did no one notice you?”

I try to picture Kyron roaming the streets and dining with Micah. It's hard for me to imagine. Word of a Stigian amongst us would spread like wildfire. The average Lucent citizen would run screaming for help. It would be pure chaos.

He cocks an eyebrow and leans forward, so we are practically nose to nose. “Come now, princess, the king may trust me to lead his army, but in the same room with his beloved goddaughter? Never. As far as how? You'll just have to wait and see. We’ll leave in three days.”