Page 45 of Steeling Light (Shadowed Debts #3)

Choices are what life is based on. I will force no one to take up a sword in my name. They must choose to be better, must choose to give their life in the service of Hope.

~Adelynne Emlyn, Edicts of Hope

Rhion

The Nothing has moved within a few hundred yards of the walls around Draenyth. Somehow the wards that have always protected the city are gone, and there’s nothing we can do to stop it from moving into the city.

But it’s stopped. Waiting just beyond the range of our archers, it lingers like a sick cloud. Soldiers on the walls know to use steel and flaming arrows against it. The thing is obviously magical, but what kind of magic?

I stand on the ramparts staring at the swirling tendrils of mist when my father’s familiar steps approach from behind me.

I turn to look at him, and he ignores me.

He wears the Steel Gauntlet on his left hand and carries no weapon, though I know he has the Brand and his sword hidden inside his body encased in bone.

“Gather all the soldiers. That mist holds Brenna Morvyn, Cole Cyrus, and his Wyrdling pet. They’ll attack the city soon, and you will command the walls.”

I stare at him and feel my body desperate to obey him, but I refuse it. “Command them yourself,” I spit back. “You may be able to kill me, but you can’t force me to fight for you. Never again.”

Immediately, it’s like someone has poured molten metal down my spine, and I clench my teeth to keep from crying out and giving him the satisfaction of my weakness. He doesn’t even look at me. He just stares at the mist as I was a few moments ago.

“You know, Rhion. I’m tiring of this insolence.

By the day’s end, Cole Cyrus will be dead along with his Wyrdling pet.

Their new little Shadow Queen will be in hiding.

And I will wear the Painted Crown. Do you truly believe there’s any other possible ending to this day?

I hold the relics that make their powers useless.

And today is when you decide to defy me?

When I’m on the cusp of victory? When all of my enemies are dead?

I’ve always known you were weak, but now you’re showing me how stupid you are as well. ”

I want to lash out at him, to draw my sword and fight him just like I did three days ago.

My wrist burns in a perfect circle, and I glance down to see the oathmark glowing.

If I were to attack my father, he might decide to kill me, and that would hurt Ainslee.

I know deep in my soul that I can’t win a fight with him.

It reminds me that I have something to live for. Someone . “Good,” I say. “Maybe you’ll find someone else to replace me. I’m sure there are dozens of people who are far stronger and smarter than me. I wish you all the luck in the world, Father.”

He snarls and finally turns to look at me with a murderous gaze. He’s mad today, absolutely lost to the curse of the Throne. I don’t back down an inch, even as the searing pain in my spine threatens to put me on my knees.

“You will do as you’re commanded, Rhion Rahn. Or I will find a way to force you to.”

I manage a short laugh between gasping breaths. “Father, if I step onto the battlefield today, I will be sure I die to the first insignificant soldier that happens upon me. I will stop myself from healing. You might as well just kill me now if that’s your plan.”

It’s the one thing I know he won’t do, not if I don’t draw a weapon and truly provoke him to violence. Whether or not he wants to admit it, he knows I’m his only heir. Even though he hates me, he won’t allow someone else’s bloodline to sit on the Throne if he has a chance to stop it.

“I will deal with you when this is done. You’ve spent your entire life disappointing me, but at least you did as you were told. Now, you’re both a disappointment and a traitor, and I’ll be sure to break you of it. Go to the barracks and wait for me there.”

There’s no reason to fight this. If my father is right, and Cole has somehow amassed an army hidden inside the Nothing, then the only place I want to be is away from the ramparts.

I don’t say another word as wings grow from my back, sliding through the slits in my gambeson.

I launch into the air, and the pain subsides.

A feeling of pride wells up inside me. I did it.

I refused to fight for my father. I didn’t let the pain or threat of punishment force me to do something I knew was wrong.

I was stronger than my bloodline today.