Page 75 of Thorns & Fire (The Ashes of Thezmarr #2)

Wren

‘The dichotomy of the crown is that it shows a man everything he could become, while slowly taking away all that he is’

– The Midrealms Chronicles

‘Y OU HAVE ME ,’ came a voice from behind them.

Kristopher Snowden approached with a wry grin on his face.

‘And the rest of the gang,’ he added, motioning to Thea and Wilder, who were striding after him. ‘Cal is guarding Zavier, or he’d be right here too.’

Wren’s mouth fell open. ‘I...’

‘You didn’t think you’d be doing this alone, did you, Embers?’ Torj’s words rumbled against her side.

‘I thought...’ But Wren had thought exactly that. For the longest time, that was how she’d operated. For years it had been just her against the world.

As though reading her thoughts, Torj leaned in. ‘You’re not on your own any more.’

Tears threatened to spill, and she distantly recognized the strange feeling drifting over her... Relief.

Thea pushed past Torj and flung an arm around her shoulders, looking more herself than she had in days. ‘You couldn’t have given me the heads-up?’ she demanded.

Wren shook her head. ‘You’d never have agreed to it.’

Thea whirled around to face Wilder. ‘And you? Pushing me back down in my chair? I suppose you were in on this?’

Wilder shrugged. ‘You were forged with blood and steel, whereas Wren...’

‘Came straight from the fire itself,’ Thea replied with a grin.

Kipp cleared his throat. ‘May I suggest we take this party somewhere more official?’

Wren realized with a start that they were all gathered in the corridor. ‘Let’s take one of the private study rooms in the archives.’

Kipp sketched a bow. ‘As the queen wishes.’

Wren tried not to flinch at the title.

It was a snug fit, with three armed Warswords, a strategist and an alchemist, but they took their seats in one of the bigger private rooms in the archives.

It was a circular room with wall-to-wall bookshelves, complete with a sliding ladder that reached to the higher shelves, but as they gathered around a large table, Wren couldn’t pause to appreciate it.

She tried not to shrink away from the expectant looks cast her way and the countless challenges ahead etching lines of worry on each of their faces.

A usurper had marched on Delmira and claimed it as his own.

Lord Silas possessed alchemy that targeted magic wielders and Warswords alike.

Wren had no army, no funding to obtain one and no people to rally to her banner.

Nor did she even have a fucking banner.

She allowed the flood of worries to wash over her, acknowledging each and every one before letting them dissipate around her. Despite the onslaught of problems she now faced, she knew her first point of action.

She turned to Kipp and said without preamble, ‘I would like to offer you the position of royal advisor.’

The strategist leaned back in his chair, scratching his chin. ‘What’s the pay like?’

‘Dreadful,’ she replied.

‘And the hours?’ Kipp asked.

‘Even worse.’

Kipp snorted. ‘Dare I ask about the chances of success in this venture?’

Wren’s lips twitched. ‘Somewhere between slim and none.’

‘Excellent.’ He grinned, rubbing his hands together. ‘When do I start?’

‘Yesterday.’

Kipp’s grin widened. ‘Then it’s a good thing I began working on this weeks ago.’

‘How?’ Thea demanded from across the table. ‘All you’ve done lately is drink yourself stupid.’

‘It’s all part of the process,’ Kipp declared, tapping his temple before he faced Wren again.

‘I’ve already sent ravens to any noble houses with former ties to Delmira.

When your kingdom fell, its people didn’t simply vanish.

They spread throughout the midrealms and beyond.

Wherever they are, their oaths are still tied to the Embervale family.

If there is honour among them, they will answer a call to arms.’

‘What did you tell them?’ Wren asked. She couldn’t believe it. Long ago she’d learned that Kipp was always a few steps ahead, but this...?

‘I told them that the midrealms were under threat once more, and that the war hero heir of Delmira was claiming her crown in order to stand against tyranny and terror.’

Wren faltered. ‘So they’ll be expecting Thea, then...’

‘No.’ Kipp’s brow furrowed. ‘They are expecting Elwren Embervale. War hero of Thezmarr.’

‘But—’

Thea cut her off. ‘You are no less a war hero than any one of us,’ she said sharply. ‘The rest of the midrealms knows it. It’s time you knew it too.’

Wren blinked. Yes, she had fought alongside them. But she had always felt on the outskirts of it all, with her potions and poisons instead of shield and sword.

The faces gazing back at her now told a different story.

With a knowing smile, Kipp continued. ‘The law of the midrealms states that should a kingdom fall during war, the surviving kingdoms are obligated to share resources and help rebuild. It is a law that has been in action with Naarva since the end of the shadow war, and now with the emergence of a new queen, we will ensure that its benefits are extended to Delmira as well.’

Wren wrung her hands in front of her. ‘But it’s not enough.’

‘No,’ Kipp agreed. ‘The very infrastructure of Delmira is in tatters. I am looking into any offshore coffers the Embervales might have had, but for now, you are a penniless player on a board of kings. Not only do you need to rebuild an entire kingdom, you need to defend it.’

The room was silent for a moment, the extent of the uphill battle ahead utterly overwhelming.

‘You have two cards to play,’ Kipp said slowly.

‘Delmira...’ Wren breathed.

Kipp nodded. ‘Delmira was once the most prosperous land in the midrealms. More valuable than gold. As you are the only person who can make it that way again, you hold more power than you know. Not to mention that if your magic proves as effective in other kingdoms... you will be in high demand.’

‘And the other card?’ Torj asked, his husky voice heavy with dread.

It was then that Wren understood. She locked eyes with Kipp and he gave her a sombre nod.

‘My hand in marriage,’ she said.