Page 93 of Dance of Kings and Thieves

“If it takes me where I desire, it might lead me right to the littles.”

“It might. Or again, it might land you at the mercy of the sluagh,” Ari snapped. “You might be able to save one child, if you’re lucky two, but be honest, Kase. This cannot be accomplished alone. We don’t know what awaits in the walls of your haven.”

“The guilds live to fight impossible battles,” Junius said, taking soft steps toward Herja. “We could take the littles back with mesmer, with any of the ideas we’ve said. I have no doubt. But the cost would be losing this fight, for we would have no armies at the end of it. We would free them, only to have them return to captivity again. The North could lose half its warriors in a battle. With the South, it would be a matter of time before the East took this fight back to New Etta.”

Silent tears dripped onto Herja’s cheeks. Hagen pulled her against his side.

My stomach clenched. Breaths were sharp. Angry. “So we give up? We knew we would fight, and yes, the additional forces from the South have been surprising, but we have no other choice.”

A hush fell over the council. All eyes pinned me in my place. Moments such as these would usually have me desperate to fade into a background, but tonight, hatred for the Black Palace, and a bit of fear for those I loved trapped in Felstad, kept my words flowing.

“Every chance we have at winning this battle is in those ruins.” I took a step forward, counting off each notion on my fingers. “The ring. I hate it, but we do not know what sort of power will come when the queen’s ring is in our possession. There are more warriors behind those walls. Blades we need. I’ve no doubt Ivar is hiding out among his army. It could be a chance to slit his throat.”

“But most importantly.” I paused, taking in every eye. “In the Kryv, we do not leave our folk behind, and—” I grinned at Raum who winked. “We do not shy away from the impossible.”

Bits of the flames seemed to take hold beneath my feet, traveling like a molten flow through my bones and veins until my heart raced in a frenzy.

“Malin is right,” Kase said, wholly the Nightrender. A cunning sort of smile curved his handsome features into something wicked. “What is the price of freedom? Our measly lives? Fine, take it if it means those I love can go on and live in the sunlight without fear.

“This is no longer only a fight for the East. This is a fight to keep the North. To protect the sea.” He glared at Thorvald. “Many of us are willing to die for our young ones trapped in those walls, but I . . . do not see the next steps to take to even break through to them.”

I gripped Kase’s hand. Doubtless the admission scraped and cut its way from his throat.

“If anyone has ideas, speak them now.” He scanned the crowd. “We have plans to make and our home to reclaim.”

By the time the sun had chased away the misty dawn, Halvar had offered a few formations, a few stealth tactics that were promising, but always ended in the probable deaths of those who’d see them through. Sofia gave up all insight she could on the forbidden dark fae of her homeland.

“They are blood bonded to be peaceful.” She shook her head. “I do not know what glamour has been used to bring them here, to allow them to break their treaties, but it certainly came from the High Queen.”

An eerie prickle slithered up my arms. There were dark games aplenty, and something told me even after we were victorious or dead, a deeper darkness would need to be conquered with the Southern fae.

Valen and Sol were both willing to use their fury, but after more discussion, the others agreed the risks were too great. Sol explained that his dark magic was deadly and soaked into the ground beneath the feet of others. It did not hold prejudice. He could point it at one person at first, but soon he would lose control and it would poison the surrounding area.

“We need to face the truth,” Gunnar said, voice rough. “Unless we are immortal, some of us will greet the Otherworld earlier than we’d planned.”

The brutality of his honesty carved a place on my bones. There was a sharp fear so deep in my heart, I was afraid I’d never shake the presence of it.

Kase would go. I knew it, and I would not be able to stop him. If he went, then I went. I looked at Hagen and Bard. One should remain back; one of my brothers could take up the throne. They could finish this fight for us if we failed.

I made plans to have that uncomfortable discussion soon, but was shaken when Eryka’s soft, rote voice floated over the crowd.

“It is quite a blessing we have an immortal among us.”

Gunnar looked at his fae woman, brow raised.

My breath caught in my throat. Eryka’s eyes were nearly white.

“Keep her going,” Sofia whispered, one hand on Gunnar’s arm. “Speak to her, keep her in the trance.”

Gunnar licked his lips. “Immortal? Eryka, who . . . who among us is immortal?”

Eryka swayed on her feet for half a breath. “A beast of blood that cannot die. Within the curse repeated those answers lie.”

She let out a long gasp and her legs seemed to give out. Gunnar caught her, holding her close, his mouth open. Eryka lifted her head. Her eyes were once more the icy blue and she flushed when she took in Gunnar’s arms around her body.

“I cannot say I am displeased to have your hands on my body,” she said brightly. “Merely surprised.”

Gunnar scoffed nervously and looked around before helping Eryka stand upright. “Uh, do you recall what you just said?”