Page 38 of Fate of Echoes and Embers (Heirs of Elydor #3)

MAREK

“She is a lovely woman,” Rowan said.

He and I watched Issa and Nerys as they spoke animatedly. We had broken our fast in Nerys’s private courtyard, and Nerys was now giving Issa a tour, telling her of the various enchantments like the mosaic floor that shimmered with shifting constellations tied to Thalassaria’s tides.

“I assume Nerys told you everything?”

“The important parts, aye.”

A part of me had hoped to remain with Issa last night, but it was clear she struggled with our path forward, if indeed there was one.

“I hurt her, badly,” I said, more sorry for it than anything else in my life. “We met before,” I admitted. “A long story, and one that doesn’t reflect well on me.”

“The past is over, Marek. The future is uncertain. Look to the present if you wish to truly live.”

“Wise words,” I said. “Now that you are a king, I suppose I must heed them.”

Rowan laughed. “You’ve settled well into your new position.”

“One I never expected, admittedly.”

“I had a vision?—”

His words were cut short by a royal attendant with a message.

Rowan moved toward her as they spoke. He nodded and looked toward Issa.

Sitting straighter, I watched his face carefully, convinced the message had something to do with Issa.

When the attendant left and Rowan returned, he called for the ladies, who were at the far side of the courtyard now.

“Something is wrong?” Nerys asked.

Rowan didn’t confirm it, not needing to. His expression did that for him.

“Is the name Ilyas Rho familiar to you?” he asked me.

“He is a Gyorian artifacts dealer,” I said, remembering our last conversation. “And owes me a debt.”

“Seems as if he’s paid it,” Rowan said. “Apparently, he’s been making inquiries about you, and Issa, as well as Lord Draven’s movements. I have no notion of how Ilyas and his network knew you were here, but the message found its way to the palace.”

“Gyorian smugglers,” I said, “and black-market traders use enchanted trade gems to signal movement of important cargo, and sometimes people.”

Nerys’s mouth fell open. “Trade gems? I’ve never heard of such a thing. Marek?—”

“Perhaps not the time to be properly educated about dark magic, Nerys. You’re better not knowing.”

“I beg to differ,” she said, looking as if she were about to strangle me.

“However he learned of it,” Rowan interrupted, “Ilyas has relayed a message to you.”

As expected. I had asked him to report to me, by any means necessary, about Draven’s movements. Of course, we thought to return to Grimharbor, and I couldn’t help but be impressed by Ilyas’s tenacity.

“What is the message?” I asked, knowing already it would not be good.

“Draven has proclaimed himself Lord of Hawthorne Manor.”

Issa gasped.

I would kill him.

“There is a contingency of Aetherian warriors outside the manor’s outer defenses, along with those of Hawthorne’s own men who managed to escape before the gates were closed.” My stomach turned as I watched Rowan address Issa. “There were casualties among those who opposed him.”

I ran to her, holding Issa as her knees buckled.

“Warren,” she gasped. “Please, no.”

“We do not have the names. But apparently, he was supported by Gyorian warriors who are now threatening King Galfrid’s men to stand down.”

“Draven’s working with our enemy,” Issa said. I held onto her even though she’d regained her footing, standing tall.

“This has the potential,” Nerys said, “to spark an all-out war. Two clans and ours will make three. There’s not been a battle between all the clans since the Gate was closed.”

“Four,” Issa whispered.

Everyone looked at her.

“Four clans. We are as Elydorian as the others.”

“You are.” Nerys sighed. “Four. Though I am determined to help you fight back this usurper. It is our fault, taking you from Hawthorne, that he was able to exploit his advantage.”

“Nay,” Issa said, gathering the strength I knew was within her. “I was blind to his ambitions. He would have taken another opportunity to seize control. Are you certain,” she said to Nerys, “that you wish to involve your people in my fight?”

Nerys did not hesitate. “Your fight is Elydor’s fight, even if I did not owe you a personal debt for aiding Marek.

Thalassaria cannot both remain neutral and claim to care for the fate of humans.

Inaction is also an action. Rowan,” she said, “find Caelum and have him double the size of our contingency.” Then to us: “It will take us some time to prepare, but they should be ready within the day.”

“We leave at once,” I said, knowing Issa would not want to wait. “Have them meet us in Valewood Bay.”

“And Marek, I do not accept your resignation.”

Startled, I let go of Issa, who no longer had need of my assistance. “Why do?—”

“Until after this battle. You have the immunity of a Navarch,” she said, and I understood her meaning. Nerys was protecting me by keeping me under her command for the time being.

I nodded and turned my attention to Issa. Her face had gone pale, worry for her commander, and the people of Hawthorne, evident.

“We will prevail,” I promised her, prepared to fulfill that promise.

“At what cost?” she asked.

That was a question I simply could not answer.