Page 27 of Legacy of the Heirs (The Lost Kingdom Saga #2)

Sadira

“ H ow dare you?” Alvan shrugged free from Kazaar’s hold and rounded on him, shoving him back.

Kazaar stood his ground, hardly budging against Alvan’s fury as his tirade of hits continued.

No one spoke, a solemn and shocked silence heavy in the air.

“I promised her!” Alvan screamed as his shoves against Kazaar slowed.

Tears rolled down his face. “I promised her I would always be with her.

Sadira swallowed tears as Alvan’s emotions weighed heavily on them all. This was more than a man losing his queen. Sadira thought back to Larelle’s reaction when she asked if there was a man in her life, and while Sadira knew little of the queen's feelings, Lord Alvan’s were evident.

Alvan wiped his face and turned to the rest of the group. “We need to get her back.”

“Alvan, we have no idea where it would have taken her,” Elisara reasoned, and Nyzaia nodded beside her, though her gaze tugged toward Tajana who was tending to the victims of the attack.

“I do not care,” Alvan snapped. “We. Need. To. Find. Her!”

Sadira’s head turned as the servant's door at the far side of the hall squeaked open, and a woman’s voice called out, “Larelle?”

“Caellum!” Sadira urged, signalling to the door. He ran over to it as a blonde woman appeared holding the young princess, who nuzzled into her neck. Caellum blocked their view as he approached, shielding them from further devastation.

“Vlad!” Elisara shouted to the captain of her guard, who assisted the flood of Garridon soldiers arriving to support the injured.

“Can you take Princess Zarya to her rooms? Make sure she is comfortable,” Elisara said.

Alvan’s face crumpled again, and he turned his back on the princess.

Sadira wiped the tear from her cheek, ignoring the ache in her chest upon knowing the child had now lost her father and mother.

Vlad jogged over to where Caellum shielded them, guiding them back through the servant’s entrance.

He stepped aside to allow someone entry.

The Historian shuffled through and clasped Caellum’s arm for stability.

While Caellum guided him to where the group stood, shell-shocked, Sadira surveyed the situation.

After all, she was the future queen of Garridon, and this happened in her realm.

She handled what happened next. Soren leaned against what remained of the long table while the rest of it was mostly scattered in pieces across the hall; vines left from Sadira’s decorations wilted behind her amongst the blood.

Soren wore a sullen look as she surveyed the room, watching the Garridon Soldiers following Sir Cain’s commands.

Sadira lifted her chin, recalling the ease with which her own sister lowered her sword and refused to save them.

She refused to allow her emotions to take over.

Elisara stood opposite Sadira on what had once been the ballroom floor, her arm braced around Nyzaia, whose face remained unreadable.

A pale blue-eyed guard plucked the glass from her hand while the Keres queen stole glances at Tajana and the similar-looking woman beside her.

Something had happened during the devastation.

Nyzaia’s syndicate were mixed among the Garridon guards, checking the pulses of those who lay scattered across the floor.

So much loss and devastation. Sadira would visit the infirmary later to gauge the survivors.

Kazaar stood close to Elisara and held Alvan’s shoulders, talking to him in hushed tones. When Kazaar clapped him on the back and headed to his queen, Alvan strode towards Sadira, and it took everything in her to keep the pity from her face.

“I need to do something,” he said. “Anything: a distraction, a plan—anything to stop my mind from pondering every possible scenario of what could be happening to Larelle right now.” He gulped, and Sadira nodded, glancing at the surrounding devastation.

“Help me clear the debris from this table,” she said, turning to clear the scattered wood and broken flowers.

As Alvan cleared the debris, Sadira got to work.

She flourished her hands until vines grew and twisted, reforming and securing the tables and chairs, weaving the wood with flowers and plants until they formed a vague resemblance of what they once were: a mismatch of wood and greenery rather than their previous, finely carved, state.

“I’ve never seen the Garridon powers in action before,” Alvan said, his face down-turned.

“That would be because there hasn’t been a true Garridon heir on this land for so long.

” Soren’s dull tone approached the table as she pulled back a chair and took a seat.

Sadira clenched her jaw as she watched her sister, who was fortunately smart enough not to rot the vines this time for risk of falling through it.

Alvan barely acknowledged the statement but helped Caellum lower the Historian into the chair beside her.

The Historian studied the room as the other rulers approached and took a seat.

Elisara and Nyzaia sat on one side of the long table, with Soren and the Historian on the other.

Alvan took a seat at the end, staring teary-eyed into the distance, and Sadira waited until Caellum joined her.

Together, they each took a seat at the head of the table.

Kazaar stood firm behind Elisara and Farid behind Nyzaia.

The Keres queen’s syndicate and Vlad formed a line to keep anyone from approaching the table, and when Tajana and the other woman approached, the steely gazes from Elisara and Nyzaia were clear.

The women opted to stand beside Alvan and Soren, far enough to survey the room but close enough to hear the conversation. Elisara clasped Nyzaia’s hand.

“Are we all comfortable with those present, given the sensitivity of this conversation?” asked Caellum, directing his question at Elisara and Nyzaia. Nyzaia opened her mouth as if to speak, but Soren cut her off.

“Yes,” she said simply. Sadira glanced between Soren and Nyzaia, who glared at one another, yet Nyzaia did not challenge her.

“We were not prepared for today,” Caellum continued. “It is evident now—more than ever—that we must work together as a kingdom to protect our people.” He led the conversation, and Sadira watched him with pride swelling in her chest.

Alvan was the first to challenge. “How do we do that when we barely even survived five creatures? The Sword of Sonos is not enough if an entire horde arrives at our shores.”

“How do you know about the Sword of Sonos?” Elisara asked, frowning. Alvan hesitated.

“Larelle told me,” he admitted. Sadira exchanged a glance with Caellum, wondering how many others had shared the information they had all agreed to keep to themselves. Yet when nobody challenged, her question was answered.

“Vlad knows,” Elisara said.

“Olden, Larelle’s father-in-law, and her lady-in-waiting, Lillian, know,” said Alvan.

“Farid knows,” Nyzaia echoed before glancing across the table. “As does Tajana.” Tajana examined her feet.

“As does Talia,” Soren continued. Sadira raised her eyebrows until realising that Soren referenced the woman standing beside Tajana.

Was Sadira the only person clueless about the conflict between Soren and the queen of Keres?

She did not wish to raise it and derail the conversation.

Everyone’s heads turned to Caellum and Sadira then. Caellum scoffed.

“It appears we are the only ones who have kept the promise to keep it amongst the rulers,” said Caellum.

“I do not believe that for a second,” Kazaar said, clenching his hands on the back of Elisara’s chair. The queen of Vala reached up and squeezed it, silencing him.

“You cannot work together if secrets remain between you all,” the Historian finally said, breathing heavily. “If you have found anything— anything that might prove useful—I suggest you speak now.”

Sadira looked around the table. Perhaps she was the only one without secrets, although she trusted Caellum was honest, despite what the other rulers assumed. She caught Soren’s eye. It was no secret among them that Soren wished Caellum dead. Alvan cleared his throat.

“Larelle’s father had Riyas killed,” he stated, allowing the statement to hang in the air.

“Would she want people to know that?” Elisara asked, raising her eyebrows. Alvan looked at the queen of Vala; his face morphed with pain.

“She cares about what is best for Nerida, her people, and the kingdom. She is selfless. If airing all our secrets allows us to piece together the prophecy or some sort of plan, then she would want it known.” Sadira’s heart warmed at his devotion.

“How did she know that, Alvan?” Sadira asked softly, and Alvan peered down at his hands, cracking his knuckles.

“Something never sat right about how Riyas left, so we went to the docks a few weeks ago. The records indicated he was sent on a scouting mission upon King Adrianus’ request.” He looked up at the Historian. “On the Royal Maiden.”

The group lowered their eyes. The Royal Maiden was the vessel that was destroyed during its voyage to find the creatures.

“That is not all,” Alvan continued. “A hidden room is connected to the battle room in the Castle of Mera. In it, there is a large map of Novisia, surrounded by the Novisian Sea Border, and an Outer Border covered in scattered Xs.”

“What did they signify?” Kazaar asked from behind Elisara. Alvan shrugged and wiped his eyes again.

“We did not know, but the King kept other secrets. He had a portrait of each of the gods. Larelle could not understand why but deemed it unusual.” Nyzaia’s head whipped up.

“All four rulers?” she asked, and Alvan nodded. Hesitation flickered on Nyzaia’s face as she glanced at Tajana.

“It is safe to speak your mind, Nyzaia,” Sadira reassured her, trying to mediate like Larelle always did. Caellum stroked circles on the back of her hand, sending reassuring waves through her skin. Nyzaia looked at Soren.

“Is it?” Nyzaia asked Soren, who smirked. “Is it safe?”

“It has to be if we are to get anywhere,” Elisara said. “Why do you believe it is not?”

Nyzaia’s eyes flickered to Tajana and then back at Soren. Leaning forward, she sneered, “Because her spy told me to only trust the other heirs.”