Page 74

MIKAIL

CHARM BEACH, GAYA

W e leave the palace after a quiet supper.

Without Sora or Tiyung here, and Fallador off with Rune already, we are down to three of us.

Even Aeri is subdued. It’s not uncomfortable, though, as we mount our horses in our silver chest armor.

It feels like everyone is savoring the last moments and thinking about what’s to come.

Nothing will be the same after today. That much is certain.

Euyn used to say that last moments make you want to live, and now that I’m ready to die, I think he’s correct. And if I’m right, maybe I’ll see him again.

As we ride away into the night, no one is left behind at Rose Palace. Either we will win, or all will be lost. I take a final look at Jeul—the palace on the hill and the lights of the city. The home I lost and then regained. My heart fills with love for the capital, for the realm.

We ride through the city gate, and I stare at the governor’s headless body. Hael birds have started pecking him apart. Good for them.

I’ve cut off the heads of Joon and Yong and launched them into the sea.

As a boy, I would’ve called that an unqualified success—but as a man, I know there are always more enemies, more tyrants, more wrongs.

Fallador asked what I would do when I was done fighting the world, as if that were even possible.

But I also have more to protect than I’d ever imagined. Sora is out there somewhere. Teo rides beside me. He’s been my constant guard, although at night I’ve heard him quietly crying, mourning his brother. Aeri and Royo are behind us, and Duval is last. And then there is this entire island.

On Fremo’s death, Duval, who was actually his grandson, took the reins of the rebellion. Every Gayan person willing to fight will meet us at Charm Beach tonight. Thousands follow us from Jeul and Hallan. More are coming from the eastern villages.

It’s all I ever wanted.

I wish it were enough.

“I want you to keep an eye on Fallador and Rune until the war is over,” I say to Teo.

“Yes, Your Majesty,” he says. “About…about—”

He ends in silence, probably thinking he’s speaking out of turn. I don’t enjoy this part of being royalty.

“Speak freely, please,” I say. “We’re headed into battle. I don’t have time for court formalities.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” he says. He takes a deep breath. “I am at a loss for how my brother could betray you, betray us, betray all of Gaya and the memory of our ancestors. I am ready to atone for his disloyalty in any way you see fit.”

Oh, was that all that was on his mind?

“Everyone is capable of betrayal,” I say. “His disloyalty wasn’t yours. There’s nothing to atone for.”

He swallows hard and nods, but he looks discontent. Like he’d prefer I whip him at a post instead. Men seeking atonement are odd. They’ll do anything except forgive themselves.

By two bells in the morning, we reach Rune’s field tent on the overlook. It’s well behind the archers, far removed from the actual battlefield.

Stable boys take our horses after we dismount. There’s a makeshift paddock off to the side.

We walk through the remains of what were charm fields, toward the towering ivory tent. No flags fly from the top. Gayan flags were long outlawed, and this isn’t Yusan anymore.

“Let us be first inside,” Teo says. Duval nods.

“Why?” I ask.

“In case it’s a trap,” Duval answers.

I gesture for them to go ahead. If it were a trap, they’d allow us in to lull us into a false sense of security and then they’d attack. But I don’t bother saying that. With a snap of my fingers, I’ll light them on fire, or Aeri can turn them all to gold…or whatever her power is now with the crown.

I don’t think any of us want to find out, but these are about to be desperate times. We may have to.

We enter the tent, and it’s just a luxurious war room with Rune, Fallador, and generals of Rune’s army inside.

There’s also a host of servants to attend them and musicians playing a soothing tune.

Somehow, Rune found the time to bring over furniture.

There are fine couches, tables, chairs, a four-poster bed, and woven rugs. A chandelier hangs from the center.

I stare up at it. The man brought crystal to a war.

“Your Majesties.” Rune strides to us and then bows.

All the other men and servants bow as well.

“Please speak freely. This is a war,” I say. Even though it looks more like a living room.

“My sources report that Seok has left Qali,” Rune says. “We expect an imminent attack.”

I’m surprised Seok has the gall to come with his fleet, but then again, he doesn’t have an Immortal Crown, and the loyalty of the palace guards must be shaky at best. He’s as likely to get murdered there as he is in a war.

Rune’s four generals give full reports, which take a shockingly long time. I try to focus, but I keep listening for war drums. No attack comes, but it’s well after three bells by the time they finish.

We’re constantly offered refreshments, but without Sora here to poison check, we all decline. No need to make it that easy on anyone.

Now that the reports have been given, it’s a waiting game.

The generals pass the time with strategy talks and hypotheticals, which, apparently, Rune loves.

He eagerly moves the models around on the table, planning for different contingencies.

I listen for a while and then discreetly gesture for Aeri to take my place.

“But what if they attack from the east first?” she asks.

Rune busily resets the table as I step out of the tent for air. Duval and Royo’s eyes track me, but they stay in place.

It’s after four bells, now—closer to five, and worry creeps in. The attack should’ve already begun. The sky is already lighter with the predawn. The air smells crisp, the ground dewy in the quietest part of the day. I soak up the peace even though I can feel the coming war.

The tent flap moves, and Fallador comes out with Teo following on his heels. They both stop right next to me.

“It’s all right,” I say to Teo.

Teo looks conflicted, but ultimately, I spoke. He bows and turns back inside, trying his best to walk without a limp. But Euyn was also shot in the leg. I’m well aware of how much pain he’s in.

Fallador watches Teo leave. “He’s a good man.”

“They are chronically in short supply.”

I am, of course, referring to both of us.

He smiles that easy grin. We’re so alike. Too much so, perhaps. Maybe that’s the problem.

“I received word today that you should know about,” Fallador says, suddenly serious. He leans in closer, that familiar scent of home surrounding me. “Your friends are aboard Seok’s ship.”

“You’re absolutely certain?”

He nods.

The only source he’d be certain of is Gambria, which means she didn’t go to Khitan as I suggested. No one did. Instead, she wormed her way into Qali Palace. But whose side is Gambria on?

Euyn had more than one rant about how women were masters of deceit. I’d kindly point out that the skill wasn’t limited by gender, but between Aeri, Sun-ye, Gambria, and Hana, I’m not sure.

What is her end game? Telling me Sora is on the ship means I won’t sink it, but is that to save Seok’s life or Sora’s? What would benefit Quilimar more? Because that is the ultimate motivation behind Gambria’s actions.

Just as I’m contemplating these riddles, the scouts bang the war drums. The sound reverberates along the island and into my spine. The time for questions is over. Now, we’re in a war. Our troops have been ready for a bell, and Yusan is late. By the time the ships reach us, it will be dawn.

It’s a mistake that could allow us to win. Or at least I hope so.

I move to go back inside the tent, barely noticing the way Fallador reaches out for me as I pass.