The Storm Crow (The Storm Crow, #1)(27)

Four pairs of eyes rested on me, and for the first time in a long time, I felt what Caliza had been talking about that morning. I felt the storm in my veins.

“I want to ally with the other kingdoms against Illucia.” I looked at each of them in turn.

Caliza and Captain Mirkova exchanged looks. Lady Kerova’s expression remained serene as ever.

Kiva grinned. “I like it, but there’s no chance Korovi will help. They’ve got their heads too far up their—”

“Sakiva!” Captain Mirkova hissed.

Kiva scowled. “What? Am I wrong?” she asked.

The captain looked as if someone had carved her from stone. Arms crossed, jaw set, every muscle honed by years of training drawn taut.

“They won’t give a damn about another kingdom,” Kiva spat. “They don’t even care about their own people.”

Captain Mirkova said something low and furious to Kiva in Korovi, and Kiva shot something twice as hot back, leaving both women red-faced and white-knuckled.

“It’s worth a try,” I pressed, my tone turning desperate. “Snow and mountains won’t keep them safe from Razel forever.”

Captain Mirkova quickly regained her composure, leaving her daughter fuming silently. She regarded me with pale eyes, considering.

“It’s an interesting idea,” Lady Kerova said in her silken voice. “Something I once considered. But Jindae and the Ambriels have been beaten down and torn apart. What remains of them likely resents Rhodaire for not aiding them when they needed us most. Their faith in us is broken.”

I hadn’t thought of that. Jindae had been our allies for years, stretching back to the war with Illucia that killed my father before I was born. It seemed like the natural conclusion for us to work together.

“So we restore it,” I said, meeting Caliza’s gaze. She nodded, and I looked from Captain Mirkova to Lady Kerova. “I found a storm crow egg.”

Lady Kerova drew a sharp breath, and Captain Mirkova’s eyes widened.

“Do you know how to hatch it?” Lady Kerova asked.

“Not yet, but I’ll figure it out,” I said.

“And you think this will be enough to mend these broken relationships?” Captain Mirkova asked.

I lifted my head. “Even our own people practically worshipped the crows as gods. They believed in their power the same way they believed in the Saints. To the other kingdoms, they’re legends.”

“Legends that left them to die,” Lady Kerova said softly. There was something tight in her voice, like an old memory lodged in her throat. Her mother was Jin. Had she wanted to send aid when they were attacked?

“But they still believe in their power,” I said. “I believe in their power. A storm crow can rain lightning down on an army or hail bigger than my fists. It can change a field to mud, turning soldiers into archery practice. But more than magic, a crow could be a symbol. A symbol that Rhodaire has not given up, and neither should they. A symbol we can rally around.”

A soft smile turned Lady Kerova’s lips. “You remind me very much of your mother when she was young.”

I straightened beneath her gaze, her words weaving a complex web of emotions inside me I couldn’t begin to decipher. “Kiva and I think the Jin princess survived Razel’s massacre and is leading her people. Can you find out?”

Lady Kerova nodded. “I will reach out to my family in Jindae. Some are involved with the rebels.”

“Trendell may be willing,” Caliza said. “I wrote Kuren about the egg yesterday.”

I looked to Captain Mirkova, Kiva staring at her as if trying to pierce a snowstorm.

“I will go to Korovi,” the captain said, her words hewn of ice. They left me wondering what I’d just asked of her.

“What about the Ambriels?” Kiva asked.

“They are not worth it,” Captain Mirkova replied.

Caliza nodded. “Even before Illucia attacked, they were highly dependent on the empire and already had a strong relationship. What remains of their high council is corrupt and loyal to Razel.”

“My shadows have heard whispers of Ambriellan rebels,” Lady Kerova said. “Masked riders in the Verian Hills on Illucia’s coast who have been disrupting shipments of goods from the islands.”

“Could you send someone to get in contact with them?” I asked.

She nodded.

“Then do it. Tell them I want to set up a meeting.”

Caliza straightened. “That’s not safe. Forget whether these people are trustworthy or not; if Razel caught you…” She trailed off.

The back of my neck prickled, but I didn’t give the fear purchase. “I won’t waste any more time, Caliza, and I won’t hide while other people fight for my kingdom. I’m doing this, no matter the risk.”

She didn’t argue. Out of the corner of my eye, Kiva grinned at me.

“You should release the Jin prisoner in your dungeons to my custody,” Lady Kerova said. “I will take him with me to Jindae as a show of good faith.”

“What about the prince?” Captain Mirkova asked. “If he discovers the prisoner is gone or who he left with, it will raise suspicions.”

“Then we convince him the prisoner is dead,” Caliza suggested.

“He won’t believe we executed him without a trial,” I said.