Fantasy of Fire (The Tainted Accords #3)(74)
Jovan clenches his hands into massive fists and glares above my head. “One death is not enough for that fucking traitor! I could kill him one hundred times and want to kill him a hundred times more.”
There’s something off in Jovan’s words, like even now, he doesn’t believe that to be true. The king checks my throat again to reassure himself and then nods to Olandon.
“Take care of her,” he says to him.
“That wouldn’t have occurred to me without your help,” Olandon answers. I grip my brother’s arm. He doesn’t want to mess with the king of Glacium right now.
“We will break for dinner,” Jovan booms, stalking around the room. “Be prepared to be up through the night. We must strike before Blaine is missed by his network.” He points across the room. “You, Ice. I want you to leave now and find out as much about the weapon caches as you can.” He turns and looks at his advisors, who are still in shocked silence, staring at Blaine’s beheaded form.
“And not a fucking word to anyone or your heads will join his,” he says, jerking his head at Blaine. “Leave!”
Advisors and Outer Rings alike scramble for the doors. Olandon passes me a wad of material and I push it to the side of my neck, as he helps me to my feet. Jovan has his back to us, facing an empty stone wall. I ache to console him, but he clearly wants to be alone. Why else has he turned away? He just executed someone he deemed nearly family, the “last remnant of his father.”
I hope he doesn’t hate me. I hope he understands I had no choice.
I’m lightheaded, though I’m unsure if it’s from blood loss or from my worry about Jovan. Our night together seems long ago and I wish we could be transported back to that moment.
“Lina…” Olandon whispers. His concerned voice brings me back, and I give a heavy sigh at the scene before me.
Jovan standing with his back to me. Blaine’s blood is everywhere.
“You need to have Gerden questioned. I’ll arrange to have him attained so he doesn’t have time to send any messages," I say carefully. "I don’t know how involved he was in the rebellion, but he’s been reinforcing everything coming out of Blaine’s mouth in the last two weeks.”
The king turns and dips his head to indicate he’s heard me, then turns away once again.
“Jovan, I’m … I’m so sorry,” I say, before turning to leave.
*
Two days pass and I barely see him, let alone get a chance to talk to him. Yet another meal passes in which the Bruma’s king isn’t present. He hasn’t done this since he heard the news of Kedrick. His people need him to enforce his position at the moment. Though they’re unaware of exactly what has happened, the assembly know something is amiss. The low mood gives me a small insight into how castle life may have been before my arrival here.
I keep wondering if I could’ve made it easier for Jovan. I feel like I have to explain myself. Maybe I should have tried harder to get him to listen to me about Blaine beforehand. Deep down, I know killing the advisor would have hurt just as much either way. I’d do it all over again to make sure he’s safe when I return to Osolis.
I don’t go to any of the council meetings, using my small injuries as an excuse. Really, I’m unsure about the reception I’ll get from the advisors and their leader. Olandon stays with me and Ashawn, and I see their friendship has grown more than I supposed. My barracks friends depart back to the Second Sector. All except Ice and Blizzard, who now have roles within the castle. Ice tried to look upset at the title of king’s spy, but he failed miserably. I expected Alzona to be upset about losing two fighters, but she said she’d struck a deal with the Glacium leader and the loss wouldn’t be a problem. It will be nice to have my barracks friends around.
The watch is a flurry of movement. Ashawn is now my sole guard, while the others help fleece the Outer Rings, emptying any identified weapon caches and, with inside information, flushing out the criminal leaders in the Outer Rings. Hale and a handful of others were now dead. Much of his barracks were captured and thrown into the dungeons for “questioning.” That was one area I was happy to stay away from.
Best of all, Macy is a new woman and Sole a new man. Both look like they’ve lost ten years of age. And Fiona and Sanjay are making up for lost time—something that disgusts my brother during meals; his view from the throne table is unobstructed. I must get him a veil of his own.
The danger is largely gone, but I feel emptier than I can ever remember being.
*
It’s the first time I’ve been in the training yard as the Tatuma. How many times have I wanted to abandon my post on the walkway with the other ladies and exchange it for a position down here? I squash the familiar itch to pick up a weapon and break into a long, hard sweat. One day I’ll be able to train with the others. Even if it’s on Osolis instead of here.
The thud of a spear finding its mark echoes through the otherwise empty space.
“Why aren’t you in the food hall with the others?” Jovan says quietly.
I ignore his dismissal. “I just was. Are you eating?” I retort, circling closer to him. My feet want to take me straight to him. I force them to wait.
“I’ll have the servants make me something later.” Another thud rings through the yard.
“A good hit,” I remark softly.