Page 59

ROYO

ROSE PALACE, GAYA

W e’re in a throne room again. I never thought I’d see one palace, let alone three different ones, but here I am. A strongman, standing next to the king of Gaya. And somehow it feels like just another day.

Life is really fucking weird.

Mikail isn’t crowned, but he looks like a king on that throne.

The throne of Gaya is carved out of a single blond tree that used to stand here, according to Mikail.

The back of the throne reaches all the way up to the high double ceiling, but it’s not plain wood.

Carved on it is the goddess Alta and her lovers, the God of the Seas and the God of Knowledge, founding the realm.

It’s kinda like that giant painting in Khitan, but the whole chair is decorated.

The arms and legs are covered in carved vines and roses.

There’s a white cushion that Mikail said used to be the green of the Gayan flag, but Yusan changed it when they took over.

Aeri sits on the black wood queen’s throne to Mikail’s right. I don’t love it, but it’s because she has the relics. Even I can admit that she’s the best protection for him.

Sora and Ty stand off to the side in the airy white room. The brothers, Calier and Teo, wait by the massive doors.

All this, and in front of us is just one guy—Fallador.

I grit my teeth. Today got tense in a hurry.

“Your Majesty.” He takes a knee in his white slacks, but his eyes take in this room.

I wonder why he has that longing expression, but then I remember he grew up in the palace.

It’s gotta be like looking at a house other people moved into.

But Fallador was never going to sit on the heir’s throne.

He said at the inn that when he was young, his sisters slipped and told him he wasn’t the real prince. The king and queen then confirmed it.

“Fallador,” Mikail says. He seems casual, but I know he ain’t.

Now acknowledged, Fallador stands and smiles. “The throne suits you, Adoros. It makes my heart happy to see a Miat in this room again.”

The guy seems genuine, but he’s looked that way this whole time. I narrow my eyes and study his relaxed expression. What the fuck is he doing here? What’s the play?

“What brings you home?” Mikail asks.

Fallador stiffens a little. “I am here as a messenger for the western count.”

“What else is new?” I think. Unfortunately, I also say it out loud.

Everyone stares at me. Teo and Calier look ready to faint. Heat rushes into my face, and it takes all I got not to put a hand over my mouth. I wasn’t supposed to talk shit or say anything, really. I look at Mikail and grimace.

“He has a point,” Mikail says with a shrug.

Fallador’s chin drops. “Adoros, I thought that working with Rune would ultimately help you, but since you left, I can see where I was wrong. I should’ve told you what I was doing.

I’ve been thinking about why I held back from you.

I suppose I thought you’d object to the alliance because of how you feel about the Yusanian nobility.

But maybe it was baser than that. Perhaps it’s just that I wanted to have importance for myself.

Either way, I didn’t give you a choice. I deceived you again, and for that I am truly sorry.

But please believe I thought I was only assisting you. ”

Fallador’s got a way of speaking where everything sounds reasonable. He’s smooth, and I’m nodding along at his heartfelt confession. But what he’s really saying is he betrayed us to help Mikail. And that doesn’t make sense. I grip my axe tighter.

Fuck this guy.

“The noblest of intentions can still be treasonous,” Mikail says.

“I don’t disagree. But I believed Rune to be the lesser of the evils with so many powerful enemies assembled against you. I still believe that—it’s why I’m here.”

“What is your message?” Mikail asks.

“The count has reached the outskirts of Tamneki, and he waits there with fifteen thousand men. Between you and me, I think it’s closer to ten, but it’s an impressive number of soldiers at his command. I have to imagine he’s been raising a private army for a decade now.”

I raise my eyebrows. That’s as many men as Wei had originally. Mikail said over a thousand people died in Quu Harbor, but most were Khitanese. Who knows what Wei’s got now? Either way, that’s a lot of soldiers for a count to control. And it’s a fuck of a lot more than we’ve got.

“Let him know how thrilled I am for him,” Mikail says.

Fallador smiles. “He knows you are the real king of Gaya, and he desires an alliance.”

“How’d he find that out?” I ask.

I really gotta stop talking.

“Mikail left with the Water Scepter, which was a dead giveaway. If that weren’t enough, it’s not every day that a hundred soldiers are drowned and eaten in the Strait of Teeth.

People wind up talking.” Fallador shrugs, then grins.

“It struck fear into the heart of Yusan. They’re speaking of a lost colony and a found prince. ”

Pride shines in Fallador’s eyes even though he didn’t have anything to do with it. Well, he did help us get the scepter, so maybe he had some part.

“Does this alliance include marrying me?” Aeri asks.

“Actually, no, it doesn’t. This one is purely with Mikail, although I’m certain Rune’s ardent feelings for you still stand.”

I curl my hands into fists. I’m going to punch Rune in the throat.

“What are the terms?” Mikail asks.

Fallador stands straighter. “Rune is ready to support your rightful claim to the throne and your bid for an independent Gaya. He offers you the use and protection of his soldiers either on this island or after the siege of Qali Palace. Your enemies will become his.”

“I can’t wait to hear what his generosity will cost,” Mikail says. He taps his fingers on the arm of the throne.

Fallador’s lips curl up, but then his smile fades. The ball in his throat bobs. “In return, he expects your full support of his campaign for the throne of Yusan. Once you succeed, Gaya would pay a seasonal tribute of laoli to Yusan with continued free trade.”

So, freedom ain’t free. But what else is new? Independence always costs blood or money. People like us usually have to pay in both.

“After the siege?” Aeri says, her golden eyes shining. “He still plans on aligning with my father?”

“He remains unaffiliated,” Fallador says.

“So he will wait outside of the theater of war and then conquer the weakened victor,” Mikail says. “This sounds familiar.”

I raise my eyebrows. It’s exactly what Mikail had wanted to do before that argument with Tiyung. Because it’s smart, so long as you don’t give a shit about human life.

Mikail looks over at Tiyung. Aeri and Sora also eye him. Ty sighs.

Fallador spreads his hands. “You know Rune is pragmatic.”

“Yes, to a fault.” Mikail shifts on the throne, leaning to the other side. “What do you think about all of this?”

Fallador tilts his head. “The alliance?”

Mikail nods. “If you were king, what would you do with this generous offer?”

“I was never going to be king.” Fallador shakes his head and looks at the floor. Sunshine streams in and highlights some of the pain on his face. For the first time, I feel for the guy. It’s gotta be weird to know that you were the odd man out. That none of this could ever be yours.

“You have far more experience being royal than I do,” Mikail says. “And you came across the Strait of Teeth with this offer. If I know you, you have thought about it from all angles.”

Fallador smiles. “I think the siege of Qali and who ultimately sits on the serpent throne are irrelevant to Gaya. It’s one tyrant versus a would-be tyrant—there’s no difference to the island.

The real problem you have is the Water Scepter.

Whether King Joon or Seok ultimately wins, you will have to deal with Wei.

Priest King Uol is dead, and Uolson, the Weian prince, can’t claim the throne having lost millions of mun in tribute in addition to the Dragon Lord relic—his own people would rebel.

Sooner or later, the Weian fleet and their impenetrable steel will come for you.

This island will need protection to keep the relic, and even then…

a war could be a slaughter with how they are armored and trained.

You need a powerful friend. It doesn’t have to be Rune, but given what’s occurred, I don’t see you forming an alliance with anyone else. ”

“And if I sink the entire fleet?” Mikail asks. “Would I need friends?”

True terror flashes in Fallador’s eyes. “No. No, Adoros. Using that much etherum would kill you. You saw what it did to the water bearers in Quu Harbor.”

Sora’s mouth drops open, and Aeri grips her armrests as both women turn to Mikail.

Mikail shrugs. “Every man dies.”

Fallador slowly closes his eyes. “There has to be another way. Consider Rune’s offer. Let his soldiers die instead.”

“And remain chained to Yusan? Not solve the scourge of laoli infecting this island? Owe my throne to another realm the way the Miats lived for two hundred years? Just sit here, a fatted goose, ripe for the slaughter?” Mikail shakes his head. “What’s the point of living that life?”

“Living.” Fallador’s eyes plead with Mikail. “Carrying on because this island needs you.”

“I’ll take it under consideration.”

He’s not. Not even a little. No one is more comfortable with Lord Yama than Mikail.

Fallador sighs with his entire body. “Rune expects me to return with an answer by sunset.”

“Then I take you hostage,” Mikail says with a wave of his hand. “You’re forbidden from leaving the palace until I release you.”

The little line appears on Sora’s forehead. It’s nothing compared to the ridges I feel on mine. Is he serious? Are we kidnapping people now?

Fallador smiles like Mikail just said I love you . Then he bows. “I am your political prisoner, then.”

“Good.” Mikail stands. “Go pick a bedroom and let the servants know if you’re hungry.”