Allied (Ruined #3)(62)
Finally, horses appeared out of the trees. August rode in front, flanked by a dozen warriors on either side. Several carried torches, the fire lighting up their faces as they approached.
Cas let August dismount his horse first, then did the same. Several guards followed him as he walked to the king of Olso, Jorge so close he kept brushing Cas’s right arm. August had a warrior on either side of him as he walked forward.
Cas had seen August only from a distance—a few times through the windows of his house in Sacred Rock, and again when he’d kidnapped Em. He was thinner, his cheeks sunken, and dark circles under his eyes. His blond hair looked greasy.
“Hello, Casimir,” August said as they both came to a stop. “Nice to see you again.”
“Have you seen me before?”
“Yes. You were barely conscious and mumbling Emelina’s name, so I suppose you don’t remember.” Perhaps the words were meant to be light, but Cas detected a trace of bitterness.
“I don’t remember, but that does sound like me.”
Behind him, he heard a sound like a guard trying not to laugh. August didn’t look amused.
“I’ve come to talk to negotiate peace between our two kingdoms,” August said. “Are you open to that?”
“Of course.”
“You heard we were ambushed by the Ruined in the jungle?”
“I did. I heard you left my cousin to die.”
“She’s been trying to take the throne from you. You could say I did you a favor.”
Cas just stared at him.
“I was only partnered with Jovita because she agreed to help me kill the Ruined. I don’t care who rules Lera, as long as it’s not a Ruined.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “I know that Em and some of the Ruined are in the castle.”
“They are.”
“And the rest of them are with Olivia somewhere. They’re divided. Together, we could defeat the Ruined for good.”
“You mean all the Ruined, don’t you?” Cas asked. “Not just Olivia.”
“All the Ruined,” he confirmed with a nod. “I will allow you to spare only Em, as long as you don’t have children. You’ll have to produce heirs with a human.”
“How kind of you,” Cas said dryly.
August’s jaw twitched. “They killed my entire family, Casimir. Even the children.”
Cas tried to hide the twinge of sympathy he felt for August. “I know that Olivia did that, but you can’t blame all of the Ruined for the actions of a few.”
“I won’t argue with you about this,” August said sharply. “There is no greater threat to Olso than the Ruined, and I’m here to destroy them. My offer to you is this: Abandon whatever alliance you’re forming with the Ruined and align yourself with me instead. You’ve heard that the people of Vallos have joined me?”
“I have.”
“Join us in standing against the Ruined, and we’ll sign a peace treaty immediately. We won’t leave until we’ve completely eliminated the Ruined threat from Lera. After that, no one from Olso will ever set foot in Lera again without your permission. And you may have Vallos.”
Cas barked out a laugh. “That is not yours to give.”
“I’ve spoken with the Vallos royal council. They’ve been in chaos since Mary was murdered. They’ve agreed that you may rule Vallos, if the Ruined threat is eliminated. You may also take Ruina, if you want it. I’d be willing to work out an agreement for the mines there.”
“My father would have liked this deal very much,” Cas said quietly. He could almost feel his father standing beside him, staring at Cas with mounting disdain.
“It’s a very good deal,” August said, like he thought Cas was actually considering it.
“You’ll let me have Em, but what makes you think she’d still want me after I betrayed her like this?”
“She won’t have anyone else.” August shrugged. “Besides, you forgave her once.”
August really didn’t know Em at all. Cas couldn’t help but feel a bit smug about that.
“No,” Cas said. “I’ve formed an alliance with the Ruined, and I won’t break it. If you’d like to join us in fighting Olivia and the Ruined standing with her, I’m open to that.”
August’s eyes flashed. “I won’t align myself with any Ruined.”
“Then we have nothing to talk about.”
“I don’t think you understand. If you decline this offer, we will come after you. I won’t allow you to keep Ruined in your castle.”
Annoyance flared in Cas’s chest. “I didn’t ask your permission.”
August opened his mouth. Shut it. He took a deep breath, like he was trying to remain calm. “We can easily stamp out the Ruined if we do it together. With your army and Olso technology, they won’t stand a chance. I know that you have feelings for Emelina, but you need to think of your people first.”
“I am thinking of my people. They include the Ruined, and I won’t kill my own people. Not to mention, the Ruined are incredibly powerful allies. You know that. You tried to secure that alliance yourself.”
“Em betrayed me,” August said through gritted teeth.
She’d betrayed him for Cas. He felt smug again.