Black Crown (Darkest Drae, #3)(58)

I remembered the three Druman in Dyrell’s tavern and said to Tyrrik, Maybe it’s the fish. They live close to the ocean, so all they have to do . . .

I had no idea what it took to catch fish—not that it mattered. The lush vegetation of the fields contradicted my ridiculous statement. Access to fish wasn’t the only reason Azulis looked different.

The castle is there, Tyrrik said, nodding toward a massive structure on the horizon. Do you think they’ll want to stick to the original plan or reconvene first?

I honestly didn’t know, but unless Dyter was keeping things from us again, I had to imagine everyone else was reeling too. I think we should talk first. I’m not sure ‘join our cause for freedom’ is going to resonate as well with them.

Or resonate at all.

Agreed.

Tyrrik and I circled back out toward the foothills, landing far enough away from civilization that there was no risk of someone stumbling upon us.

“Why are we here?” Tiago asked Tyrrik though he was still Drae. “I thought we were going straight to the castle?”

As soon as the rest of the passengers were off our backs, Tyrrik and I shifted. Dyter’s pinched expression was enough for me to know he hadn’t known about Azule’s prosperity. Neither had Zarad by the look on his face though his features were pinched with rage. Neither Gairome nor Dilowa seemed shocked, only disappointed. And the twins wore matching somber expressions but displayed no surprise whatsoever.

Zarad turned to the assassin twins with a frown twisting his lips. “Did you know? How long has this been happening? Their land isn’t dying. They have access to Phaetyn blood.”

Nielub glanced at his unsmiling brother before speaking. “We tried to tell your father that Draedyn was supplying Azulis with blood. I don't think he believed us. Or believed that Azule wouldn’t send aid if they could afford to.”

I wasn't sure if I would’ve believed them either. The idea seemed so preposterous. And yet Zakai had traveled many times to Zivost to beg for aid. Had he known deep down that the Azulis were not on our side? I would’ve appreciated a heads up if so.

“Azule is the gateway kingdom to the emperor’s personal lands,” Nielub said. “He keeps them as allies, likely so they act as a buffer between him and the other two kingdoms.”

Preposterous but a simple and brilliant tactic.

“Are they as ignorant of the rest of the realm?” Dyter asked, absently rubbing on the stump of his arm. “Perhaps we can still appeal to their sense of justice.”

A cacophony of exclamations exploded in the tall golden grass, the opinions clashing, each mortal expressing their view louder than the person standing next to him or her. We’d brought a whole heap of leaders with us and not enough listeners though I knew what we’d seen had upset everyone. The rantings were pointless. We didn’t have any options.

Go ahead and shift. We’ll have to take our chances. Without waiting, Tyrrik bellowed, “Stop.”

With my shield and veil firmly fixed, I close my eyes and released my Drae.

“Do you know anything else?” Tyrrik asked Dilowa and Gairome then jerked his head at the assassins. “You four are the only ones unsurprised by the state of Azule.”

I rotated, fixing my violet eyes on the mortals as I gnashed my teeth. Nothing like a little fear to loosen the tongue.

Dilowa shook her head. “I’d only heard rumors. I used to patrol one of the border towns. Two decades ago, we had a swarm of Druman entering Gemond. Occasionally, they had a human with them. The emperor’s Druman don't stop to gossip, but mortals do.”

“Azule was always different. Even prior to the Druman swarming in,” Nielub said. “We still have to try and win them to our side.”

“If not, we’ll lose many of our men wading through Azule. Even if their army is abysmal, they’re well fed and will defend their country. Any advantage we might’ve had will disappear.”

Dyter scratched his chin. “We’ll have to get the boats. No matter what, we have to bring our soldiers back.”

“Al’right. Everybody understand? Let’s go.” Tyrrik stepped away from the group and shifted into the massive onyx Drae he held within.

The rest of our party settled into heavy silence. The humans clambered on our backs, and Tyrrik and I checked the air.

I maintained the veil and my shield as we soared over the prosperous Azule. The buildings were well cared for, many boasting fresh milk paint from earlier in the year. People bustled to and fro, many snacking on fresh fruit, apples, and pears. My mouth watered. My Drae would probably prefer an entire deer right now, but it could settle for fruit.

We approached a majestic structure of smoky glass that didn’t quite fit the description for a castle. The palace was situated on the edge of the white-sand shore in the bay, its spires rising high into the air. The shore extended in front of the palace, turquoise waters lapping the sand, and the briny smell of the ocean overpowered almost all other scents. The afternoon sun hung lazily in the blue sky, lighting up portions of the opaque structure and creating a beautiful picture so foreign I struggled to remember these people had prospered where none other had.

How is that opaque material possible?

Tyrrik chuffed beside me, the sound of disgust. If you melt sand, it will turn to glass.

Did they do that? Or was it Draedyn? If the Azulis had done this, it must have taken them decades.