Last Stand (The Black Mage #4)(99)

“No!” My voice rose and Priscilla paused, momentarily stunned. “I mean, yes, Darren did most of those things, but there’s more.”

I proceeded to explain everything.

To her credit, the queen-to-be didn’t interrupt once.

Alex and Ella took turns retelling parts I had missed, or whenever I ran out of breath. It was a complicated tale.

When we finally finished, the three of us waited expectantly.

“I don’t know what to say.” Priscilla’s face was pale. “It’s too late.”

My fingers dug into Alex and Ella’s arms. “What do you mean ‘too late’?”

“I have to restore the peace.” Priscilla looked skyward. “I gave Horrace my word.”

“What about Darren?”

“Ryiah, you don’t understand.”

“I have done everything for Jerar!” Fury had me tasting ash. “Doesn’t that mean anything?”

“It does.” She cringed. “But it’s not my choice.”

“You are going to be queen!” Ella rolled her eyes. “Don’t tell us you can’t do it, Priscilla.”

“You, a highborn, should know better,” the girl snapped. “The other kingdoms are ready to cut Jerar off at its head! No one wants to sign a new treaty with a country that has already betrayed their compromise once. King Horrace is willing to pardon the rebels, but he is not willing to forgive the rest.”

“Horrace is not our king. He’s not even a part of Jerar! We helped him. Without the rebels, his country would be a wasteland right now!”

Priscilla didn’t look away. “You have no idea what it means to be queen, Ryiah. I have to consider our peace before everything else. We don’t need the greedy Pythians picking off our remains now that Borea and Caltoth have turned their backs.” Her arms folded across her chest. “We need to give Horrace whatever it takes to bridge that alliance. His one request, which is far better than the slaughter of our army and all those who unwittingly partook in the wrong side, mind you, is the life of the king that took his kingdom to war.”

“But Darren was b-barely even king!” My voice cracked and it hurt to speak. “Priscilla, please—”

“Ryiah.” The future queen placed her hand on my shoulder, and I flinched.

“I know we haven’t been the best of friends.” Her tone was somber. “You could even say we were enemies… But despite everything we were, everything we are, I would help you if I could. I swear it.”

“Then do something!” Alex lunged forward, taking half of me with him. “Sentence Darren to exile. It doesn’t have to be execution!”

Priscilla drew a sharp intake of breath. “You think I wouldn’t consider that if I could? Darren has the blood of the old family running through his veins. So long as he breathes, he is a threat to King Horrace. Even if Darren never contested my rule, and I don’t believe after what Ryiah told me he would, his children’s children could come back and try to reclaim it. One man’s life for a lifetime of peace is a reasonable price. I can’t reject an alliance to uncertainty, no matter how I wish I could.”

“So that is your stance?” I was shaking so hard my teeth gnashed together. “You are just going to let an innocent man die? You two were friends. You were willing to marry him—”

Her eyes held my own. “Darren’s not innocent, Ryiah. He might regret his crimes, but he still committed them.”

“Only because of his brother!” My heart slammed my ribs, again and again. “You know that!”

The girl looked to my brother and Ella. “I know she’ll want to see him. You can take Ryiah, but the guards will have to remain for the visit.”

“I didn’t give my life just to watch him die again!”

“I’m sorry,” Priscilla’s sharp apology cut through my screams, “but that is the best I can do.” Somewhere behind us there was the rustle of chainmail as her guard approached. “Alex, Ella, please escort her out. My men will send word to the dungeon that you are expected.”

“Priscilla!”

“So long as she doesn’t cause a disturbance or any sort of attempt on his guards, Ryiah will be welcome at all hours leading up to his execution.”

“You are no better than Blayne if you do this!”

She finally looked at me. “I am, but you’ve put me in an impossible position.”

“But… it’s Darren.” Tears slipped down my face.

“I know. And for that, I am sorry, Ryiah. I truly am.”



*

When we entered the prison’s hall, there were ten scowling mage guards awaiting our arrival—all of them from our former mission in Caltoth.

The rebels were definitely displeased to see me again.

“Weapons!” barked the one nearest. “All of ‘em.”

I gave them a challenging stare. I was leaning heavily on my brother, dressed in a flimsy white gown for sleeping with a giant bandage that constricted my ribs. I couldn’t carry a weapon if I tried.

Alex tossed his scabbard to the ground; his eyes remained locked on the knight from earlier. He still hadn’t forgiven the rebels for trying to bury his sister alive.

Ella dropped her scabbard next, and two concealed knives that were tucked around her ankles. She then disposed of another pair strapped to her upper arms; she did so with a smirk, waggling her fingers. “What a shame you can’t take my magic, boys.”