Page 54 of The Keeper of the Kingdoms

“Do you hear yourself?” I said to Nyx softly, but it wasn’t timid. I wanted him to strain to hear me. To pause his madness for one minute and listen. “I say that to you because I love you. No other reason. We all do. And you are pushing us all away and becoming this unapproachable, irrational grouch.”

Nyx jerked his chin back as if I’d slapped him.

“Yes, that’s right. Someone had to say it to you. Do with it what you will.”

As Nyx was still reeling from my words, Luka and Zaria reappeared.

“That was quick.”

“They went into the temple and went beyond the altar, so that was that.” Luka shrugged.

“Who?” Nyx demanded.

“Luka thought he recognized someone.” Zaria dismissed the subject, instead turning the attention to the warring dragons in our midst. “What’s going on with you two?”

I met Nyx’s eyes and glared.

“Nothing,” he replied. “Just a disagreement about strategy.”

“Well, it’s a holy day and that means no strategy. So cut it out and help us find Kiera’s ingredients, then we can go gorge ourselves on whatever smells so delicious.”

TWENTY-THREE

JAXUS

Several paces behind Kiera as she browsed the market traders’ offerings, I was back in a debate with Nyx, though we were both being more cognizant of our volume and demeanor. For everyone else’s sake, I wanted to try and have a more peaceful day. But after I’d dealt with my flyers in the tent and then had that spectacular kiss in the shadows of the temple that ended far too soon, I was on edge and feeling irritated as Nyx’s attitude was bothering me still. He just wouldn’t see sense.

“The King’s direct orders are to hold the armies until we figure out what we’re dealing with.” I couldn’t believe that he was still trying to convince me that his secret scouting plan was a good idea or that Nyx, of all people, wasn’t listening to the king’s orders.

“I’m not holding when they could be encroaching on the First Kingdom.” Nyx didn’t seem fazed by my assertion.

“Nyx, you cannot take a flight out. This, this is like treason.” Someone had to say it to him and I knew no one else would.

“I’m the general. Who are you going to follow?”

“Against the direct orders of the King?” I asked.

“It’s not against him if I’m just taking a small party to scout out the situation. He trusts me.” Nyx didn’t sound like himself.

“What has gotten into you?” And why had no one else noticed? “This is not rational. You know we can’t afford to lose more flyers.”

“I know my own flyers. They can handle it. I’ll only take the best.” Nyx lifted his jaw, reminiscent of some of the elders in Kerani. “It doesn’t matter if they can handle it. We’re dealing with a force we’ve never seen before.” It felt futile to argue, but I couldn’t let it go.

“Yes, and we’ll be careful. We’re going to go in silently. Scouting parties are the only way to be sure what we are dealing with. We can’t just sit here waiting for an attack. I know what I’m doing. I’m the King’s general, after all.”

“Again, I don’t disagree with you.” But I knew he was doing it for all the wrong reasons. He can’t keep going on like this unchecked as everyone in the kingdom would pay. I didn’t have anyone other than Kiera to bring this up to either, so how could I stop him?

Who else would even trust me? And over Nyx? Not a chance. They’d known him his whole life. I was just some male he brought in and then put in command of all of them. Could one fae stand against the tide?

“I can’t let you so blatantly disobey the King,” I told him, raising my chin to level with him. It might be the only thing he understands.

“So you’ll disobey me?” he challenged.

“Nyx, this kingdom needs you. If you don’t stop this personal crusade, you might find yourself no longer in command. I can’t let you commit treason, for all our sakes.”

“And I can’t rest—” he was cut off by a cry of distress, followed by several more.

“Somebody find a healer!” One called out.