Page 5 of Warrior Princess (Blood Weaver Trilogy #3)

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W hen the news that Keldara's delegation had arrived and was assembling in the ritual hall reached us, Ronan and I quickly dressed and started toward the hall. Before stepping outside, I snatched a scarf to cover my neck, feeling self-conscious. Silas was waiting outside the hall, his expression etched with urgency.

“Shiro hasn't arrived yet.” His voice was tight with concern as he fell into step beside us.

“Don't worry,” Ronan reassured him, giving his shoulder a firm pat. “He'll be here.”

Silas nodded, though his eyes betrayed his lingering doubts.

Ronan pushed aside the heavy cloth that served as the door to the hall and we stepped inside to an atmosphere charged with tension. The elders and Chief Aryan were already engaging with the representatives from Keldara. I scanned the room for Mykal, hoping to see a familiar face among the delegates, but he was nowhere to be found. His absence made me uneasy. His presence might have suggested a chance for peaceful resolution. Instead, I was met by a sea of strangers, which added an edge of unpredictability to the proceedings.

“Nice of you to join us,” Chief Aryan muttered under his breath as his gaze trailed toward me. “This is Crimson Clan business. What is she doing here?”

“Wherever I go, she goes,” Ronan countered firmly. “And since this is only possible because of her, I suggest you let her stay.”

As Chief Aryan grumbled and redirected his attention to the Keldarans, Ronan and I took our places behind the elders, tuning into the ongoing discussion.

“Why are we here, Aryan?” one of the Keldaran delegates spoke up. He had fair skin and chestnut-colored hair, curly on top with the sides shaved close—likely a military man, given his rigid posture and direct gaze. “The deal is that you produce the tributes, and we bring you war horses and weapons.”

“We no longer have a deal, General Thomas,” Chief Aryan replied coldly. “You can tell your king that I want to renegotiate.”

The general scoffed dismissively. “Aryan, this is not a negotiation. Your people are weak without us. You would do well to think carefully about your next steps.”

“I already have,” Chief Aryan declared, a steely edge to his voice. “We’re no longer as weak as we once were. You see… we’ve awakened the demon fox, and he has restored our people’s powers. So, I suggest you think very carefully about your next steps.”

The man laughed heartily, openly dismissive of Chief Aryan’s daring claims. “You think that’ll be enough? Goodness, Aryan, I didn't think you were that na?ve! One man cannot change—”

“Man?” a powerful voice interrupted from behind the cloth door. Pushing past it, Shiro entered with a commanding presence. “I am no mere man. I am a god!”

The room fell into stunned silence as everyone held their breath at Shiro's bold declaration. Even I was momentarily taken aback. I’d never truly considered him in the light of divinity, even as intwined as our fates were. Technically he was a demon, but his stature was indeed akin to that of a god, a fact now recognized by all those in the room, including the Keldarans.

General Thomas stood abruptly, and his entourage rose in unison. “What is this?” he demanded, his voice a mix of confusion and defiance. “Is this a threat?”

Shiro shook his head and laughed, the sound resonating with chilling confidence. “No threat; just a warning. The moon goddess stopped me once before when I planned to lay waste to your lands in one blow. But she is no longer here to stop me.”

The general’s face flushed deep red and he balled his hands into fists as he toggled his gaze between Shiro and Chief Aryan. The tension was painfully palpable as the stakes of the confrontation escalated with each exchanged word.

With unwavering resolve, the general addressed Chief Aryan with a steely gaze. “I will not be responsible for telling King Eduard that you are breaking our treaty as well as threatening our lives. If you wish to make such a bold claim, you will need to send a representative yourself to make it!” His eyes flicked sharply towards Shiro.

Chief Aryan responded with a derisive scoff. “You think I'd be so foolish as to put more of my people at risk by sending you a delegate? If war is what you want, then war is what you'll—”

Unable to bear the escalating conflict, I stepped forward and descended the steps to the center of the hall with Ronan's anxious call trailing behind me. “No!” I interjected loudly, halting their verbal duel. “This can be peacefully negotiated.” I turned to address General Thomas directly. “There must be something that Keldara needs besides tributes. I've seen the abundance of crops growing here in the Grasslands. Perhaps, instead of people, they could provide—”

“Who the hell are you?” the general interrupted brusquely, cutting me off mid-sentence. His eyes lingered on the crescent moon birthmark on my forehead.

Behind me, Chief Aryan let out a sly chuckle. “This, General Thomas, is Princess Lyanna of Valoria.”

General Thomas's eyes lit up with renewed interest as he sized me up, his gaze unsettlingly intense. I met his look with a defiant glare.

“You didn’t tell me there was royalty present,” General Thomas remarked with a cunning grin, his tone shifting. “And from Valoria, no less.”

Ronan quickly positioned himself in front of me to shield me from the general’s probing eyes. “Readjust your eyes, General,” he growled protectively.

The general laughed off the comment. “Apologies! I was so captivated by her beauty that I must have lost my manners.” He turned his attention back to Chief Aryan. “It seems you have the perfect representative amongst you. Who better than a neutral party to negotiate for your people? Why not send the princess in your stead?”

“No!” Ronan and Shiro exclaimed almost simultaneously as they stepped forward.

“Wait a moment…” Chief Aryan eyed me with a calculating smirk. “That’s not a bad idea.”

“Father!” Ronan protested, but Chief Aryan silenced him with a raised hand.

“Princess Lyanna, what do you say? Would you like to help our people once again?” Chief Aryan’s cold crimson eyes pierced mine, daring me to refuse.

Ronan turned to me and gripped my shoulders. “No, Leila. You don’t have to do a single thing. You’ve done enough already!” he whispered urgently. “You gave your life for my people. That’s more than enough. Don’t listen to my—”

“Ronan—” I started, but Shiro approached us, his presence imposing.

“He is right,” Shiro firmly interjected. “While your valor is much appreciated, do not get further involved in Crimson Clan matters. Ronan, take her—”

“Why? Why do you care?” I challenged, my gaze locked with Shiro’s.

Shiro met my stare unflinchingly. “You are a descendant of the moon goddess; that should be explanation enough,” he gritted out. “I will not let you risk your life just like she did. You told me yourself that Keldara killed her. I will not allow her only female descendant to die by their hands as well!”

I paused and weighed their words, torn between my desire to help and the reality of the risks involved. General Thomas was correct— a neutral party was indeed preferable, as the unspoken truth left a pall in the room: whomever the Crimson Clan sent might not return alive. Standing there, surrounded by many who did not care for my well-being, I knew I had already done more than my share. I could step back now and allow them to resolve their issues, preserving the fragile peace that hung in the balance.

Chief Aryan's sigh resonated ponderously through the tension-filled air of the ritual hall, his resignation palpable as he turned to his next option. “Well, since the princess is unable to help us… Silas !” His sharp voice echoed off the stone walls. “You would be more than willing to go as our representative. Right?”

Silas stood a few paces away from Ronan and me, his figure tense. As we looked in his direction, a wave of panic visibly washed over him. He cleared his throat, his voice steady despite the evident reluctance in his eyes. “If that is what my chief desires, I will happily oblige,” he stated, though his gaze drifted away, unable to meet ours directly.

“Father!” Ronan's voice boomed as he pushed past me, his movements swift and determined. He confronted his father with fierce intensity. “This is Silas! He's like family. You can't march him into that lion's den! They'll send him back in pieces!”

Chief Aryan's eyes locked onto his son's, unyielding and cold. “Ronan, you can't have it both ways. Either she goes, or he does.”

“Ro, it's okay—” Silas began, trying to offer some reassurance.

“No!” I interjected forcefully, stepping further into the center of the hall. My voice echoed, silencing the murmurs around us. “ I'll go. There’s no need to shed any more Crimson Clan blood.” I turned to face General Thomas. The implication of my decision drew all eyes to me. “Can you guarantee my safety?”

“Leila!” Ronan's protest was drowned out by the gravity of the moment.

General Thomas, understanding the significance of the negotiation, gave a slight bow, his respect a thin veneer over his calculated demeanor. “Of course, Your Highness… although once you meet with the king, I cannot make any promises. I’m sure you understand.” His smirk was fleeting but telling.

“Of course,” I murmured softly, the reality of what I’d volunteered for settling in. My heart ached with the gravity of my decision, but the resolve to protect others from harm fortified my spirit. I glanced back at Ronan, whose expression was a complex tapestry of fear and despair, all mingled in a silent plea for reconsideration. Yet, the path forward seemed clear—stepping into this role might prevent further violence, a chance I felt compelled to take despite the dangers it entailed.

“Then that settles it!” General Thomas grinned and clapped his hands. “Princess Lyanna will accompany us back to Keldara—”

“Wait!” I held up a hand, intent on adding my own stipulation. “I want Commander Mykal Kaiser to escort me to Keldara.” Yes, I was foolhardy for those I loved, but I wasn’t stupid enough to go without some sort of protection.

General Thomas’s grin faltered slightly. “Commander Mykal Kaiser?” he repeated. “I wasn’t aware you knew him.”

I smirked. “Commander Mykal and I go way back. He’s a dear friend and I would feel more comfortable with him as my escort, General Thomas. I’m sure you understand.”

He cleared his throat. “Very well.” He peered over his shoulder at one of his companions. “Send word to the Commander.” Then he turned his attention back to me. “I hope this isn’t a trick, Your Highness.”

I smiled. “No trick at all. I’m a woman of my word.”