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Chapter forty-two

Adelyna

F or once, things were going Adelyna’s way, more or less. Her favorite sparring partner recovered from the bloody flux. Her father increased her household budget for the following year. And Callidora agreed to become one of her High Maids.

Realistically, there was no chance Callidora would refuse—even a year at Adelyna’s side would guarantee her future. What made this different, though, was that Adelyna had just as much to gain. That fact Adelyna kept carefully tucked against her bosom.

Adelyna had to be careful—she wanted to trust Callidora, but not even Qiana knew her ward that well.

Knowledge took time. Adelyna would watch and carefully broach the topic of Vine with her new High Maid when it presented itself.

In the meantime, Callidora was a beautiful new companion to grace her court. Beautiful and witty—a rare combination.

No, that wasn’t quite true. Nerine had also been beautiful, daring, and brilliant—a speaker of three languages and respected translator. And Adelyna couldn’t bear to give Nerine more than a passing thought. Someday she would allow herself the luxury of grief. When she could afford it.

That was neither here nor there—she’d get what she needed from Callidora. Soon.

Adelyna stepped lightly through the palace’s Glass Hall, one of the few places she could get something resembling exercise without enduring the weather.

A predictable trail of courtiers followed like piglets.

The hall was lit in the dim winter morning by crystal chandeliers, 202 which did nothing for the persistent chill.

Sometimes she found it amusing to watch—in the window’s reflection—the courtiers stand and shiver while they waited for her to be done admiring the landscape.

This was one of those times. Let them be the animals on display for once .

Then a servant wearing Aherin’s purple and black livery approached. Thus, her reverie was disturbed.

“Your Ascendance,” the man said, giving her a deep bow. “The Yitz’mal humbly requests that you join him in the Prime Gallery.”

“Now?” Adelyna cocked an eyebrow.

“If it pleases you, Lady.”

“That depends—I’m in a hurry.” She lied. A little. “I have to be in the council chamber in under an hour.”

“The Yitz’mal was insistent, Lady.”

Adelyna paused, swallowing her ire at being effectively summoned by her inferior.

And then tapped her foot twice. “Fine. Tell him I will be there in a few moments, please.” What did Aherin want now ?

She’d find out soon enough. Better to let him think he won this battle by making her attend to him—she couldn’t waste her energy on pointless power struggles.

She dismissed her attendants, High Maids, and courtiers—though some stubbornly clung on until she glared—and proceeded alone.

The gallery wasn’t far, only a few turns through desolate halls, and soon she found herself in a hall filled with artwork depicting dead Ca’mailian rulers and notable figures.

“Brother,” Adelyna said as she approached. Traitor.

Aherin turned and gave her a disapproving look. “Why can’t you wear a dress like a woman? No one believes you’re a man.”

“Believe it or not, I don’t dress for anything other than my own comfort.” She wore dresses when court required it, or she felt like it. Not because others expected it.

“If you say so.”

Adelyna crossed her arms. “What do you want, Aherin?”

Aherin didn’t answer and looked at the picture in front of him.

It was unremarkable among a hall of portraits of members of their family—a long-dead king wearing far too many jewels and clothing centuries out of date.

Merchi the Fifth. Holder of the Eye. Beloved of the Living Gods.

Fanatical Jackass. “What do you see when you look at this?” Aherin asked in a tone far too noble for the bastard he was.

“Are you looking for an actual answer, or some allegory?”

“Why do I bother?” Aherin muttered. “My point is—there’s been no ruling female R?ll.

Not without a husband strong enough to keep the kingdom in line.

And we both know your boasts against marriage are not idle gestures.

And that’s not counting that you don’t have the sight.

” Aherin paused. “Some of the Dahlk are already declaring that your reign will bring about the end of the world.” That was nothing new.

Adelyna clenched her fist and rubbed her fingers together. “So, you wanted me here in order to give me a history lesson. Another lesson—just like with Nerine.”

Though his back was turned, Adelyna could practically hear his eyes roll. “Will you stop with her? Nerine wouldn’t have hurt you if you hadn’t been dumb enough to trust her.”

Adelyna’s nostrils flared. “Don’t. You. Dare. Don’t you dare blame me for this.”

Slowly, Aherin turned to look at her. His face was unexpressive. Pathetic. Too bad he wasn’t wearing his mocking expression—that she could have dealt with. But this?

“A ruler is blamed for everything,” Aherin slowly said, “whether it’s their fault or not.” What a joke—Aherin suddenly acting wise.

What was this? He summoned her, and now he was acting all smart and sullen, after he decided to take her throne and Nerine from her.

“And you are ready to take that blame?” Adelyna’s voice cracked. “You’ve barely taken responsibility for anything. You haven’t even cared that our citizens are being brutalized, one village after another! Have you heard the reports? Of course not.” Adelyna clenched her fists, her breath shaking.

“And yet, you’re not the R?ll’s Voice. We both know it is only a matter of time until I’m named heir.” He gave her a cocky smile.

She’d kill him before this was done. But not yet.

“We have other brothers,” Adelyna retorted.

“Illegitimate.”

“That hasn’t stopped bastards before.”

“And I have Father’s guarantee.”

He may as well have slapped her. What? What guarantee? “You don’t know what you are talking about,” she said. Lying. He was lying. He had to be.

Aherin’s lip curled, obviously catching that he stunned her. “I do. Sister, you can still do so much for the crown. I will need your help.”

“Too bad I don’t want to give it. You’ll just kill me the day you’re crowned. We both know it. Stop pretending otherwise.”

“And waste an asset?” Aherin crossed his arms. “Dammit, Adelyna. I’m trying to do what’s best for both of us. He’s going to name me heir. He must. He can’t have a giftless heir—it is cruel of him to make you think you have a chance. It will be better if you settle into your role now.”

Adelyna took a deep breath and stepped next to her brother, meeting his challenge. “Better for who? Where is this confidence coming from? Do tell, because it’s not through your own merits. I’ve seen you drunk more often than sober.”

Placing his hand on his hip, Aherin tried to look serious. He failed. “The war will be ending. Far sooner than anyone thinks. Father is looking to what the kingdom will face next.”

Adelyna snorted. “Ending soon? Unlikely. Or is this an imaginary war between fairies and pixies?”

“It doesn’t matter if you believe me. Father has a way.”

“One that he won’t deign to share with me? Convenient.”

“Because he knows you, that you don’t have what it takes to rule.”

No. That couldn’t be. She was still the Kor’yitz, and she hadn’t heard a word otherwise.

Yet, Aherin’s expression was serious, not a single indicator of a jest to be found.

Nor the blank confidence she came to expect when her brother tried to bluff his way out of something.

“What is this ‘way’?” Adelyna asked. “If you want me to take you seriously, you had better tell me.”

“I can’t. Not yet.”

“But this is Father’s plan. Not yours.”

“Yes. He was brave enough to pursue it. So, you see—it would be better for us both if you agreed now, and surrendered your role before it is taken from you.”

He was bluffing. He had to be. Father was many things, but it wouldn’t be like him to promise one thing to Adelyna while promising Aherin another. Then again, was it possible? Her father could be ruthless…

And yet…

“You want me to surrender my position as Kor’yitz—based only on you telling me this supposed scheme of yours and Father’s.”

Aherin’s face turned red. “It’s not a scheme. I’m trying to save your life.”

“Ruin it, more like.”

“If you surrender, I’ll send you from court—”

“Where I can’t interfere with you.”

“Adelyna, I’m trying—”

“Stop.” Adelyna shook. “Just stop.”

What was he doing, suddenly playing in politics?

Trying to take what was hers. Bastard. First Vinay with her vague threats, and now him.

Enough. She had nothing to gain from letting Aherin win now.

There was no way he was offering this to her out of the goodness of his pest-filled heart. Not after what he did with Nerine.

Adelyna smiled without kindness. She’d figure out the truth, but first, she needed to make something clear. “Brother, you know me so well. Tell me, since when have I ever surrendered in a fight?”