Fall of Ruin and Wrath (Awakening, #1)

“Excuse me?” Claude choked.

Turning to him, I picked up the glass of water he had yet to touch. “Here.”

“Thank you, pet.” His smile was brittle as he refocused on the Hyhborn. “When will you be gone?”

“That is hard to answer,” Prince Thorne stated coolly, and I would’ve sworn the temperature of the hall dropped by several degrees.

“I believe there are matters best discussed in private,” Lord Bastian advised.

Claude jerked his head at the staff. They peeled away from the shadowed walls, quiet like spirits. Hymel remained seated, but I stood, ready to run from the room despite wanting to hear these matters myself, which I figured had to do with the Iron Knights.

“Your pet can stay,” Prince Thorne said.

I froze for half a heartbeat. Hands curling into fists at my sides, I slowly turned to the Prince. Our eyes locked once more.

He winked.

My nostrils flared as a rush of irritation swamped me.

The Prince’s smile warmed.

“Good,” Claude said, and before I could take a seat in my own chair, he tugged me down, into his lap. “I have a strong suspicion that I will be in need of her comfort during this conversation.”

Prince Thorne’s fingers stopped tapping. A fine shiver broke out over my skin as the candle flames rippled as if a wind had whipped into the hall, but there had been no such thing.

As soon as the staff had exited and the door closed, Prince Thorne spoke. “You appear . . . unnerved by the prospect of hosting us.”

“Just surprised. That is all.” Claude cleared his throat, tensing a bit. “I’m not at all displeased by the news.”

I glanced between the Hyhborn. I didn’t think anyone in the room believed that.

“I’m relieved to hear that,” Prince Thorne said. “I’m sure you’re aware of what is happening along the border with the Westlands. We’ve come to determine what course of action needs to be taken.”

“We have heard some news regarding this.” Claude kept an arm around my waist as he reached around, picking up his godsforsaken champagne.

Prince Thorne’s unflinching gaze made it hard to sit still. “The Westlands have amassed quite the army and it is believed that they will soon be marching across the Midlands. We suspect that the Princess of Visalia has her sights turned to Archwood and the Court of Primvera.”

My breath stalled in my lungs. A siege of Archwood? That was what Ramsey Ellis had feared, but to hear the Prince say it was something entirely different. My mouth dried, and I suddenly wished I could reach my champagne.

“But that isn’t the only development,” Lord Bastian stated. “There is the Iron Knights.”

“Yes, we’ve heard that they have possibly joined forces with the Westlands,” Claude said. “However, I’ve found that news to be most confounding. Vayne Beylen, who wants to see a lowborn on the throne, joining forces with the Westlands Hyhborn army? It makes little sense.”

“From what we’ve learned, Beylen has decided that his revolt is more likely to be accomplished through aiding the Westlands,” Commander Rhaziel shared.

Claude let out a strangled sort of laugh. “I understand the Court politics are usually none of our business,” he began.

“They are not,” Prince Thorne agreed.

“But whatever strife there is between the Hyhborn is involving us.” Claude downed the rest of his champagne. “What is the issue with the Princess of Visalia? What is the cause of this? I’m sure it’s complicated, but I should know what is driving the Westlands to jeopardize the safety of my home.”

“It’s actually not complicated,” Prince Thorne replied. “The Princess believes that it is time for a queen instead of a king to rule.”

My brows shot up as my lips parted. A queen instead of a king? There had never been one, not since time had started to be recorded— not since the Great War. Could there have been queens before then? Possibly?

“I think the lovely Lis may not be against such an idea,” Lord Bastian pointed out.

Prince Thorne inclined his head. “Do you think a queen would rule better simply because of the gender?”

“No,” I said without hesitation. “I don’t think it makes a difference.”

“And how would you feel if it were a lowborn who ruled?” Commander Rhaziel asked.

His question caught me off guard, and I swallowed.

“Your answer will go no further than this room and will be heard without judgment,” Prince Thorne advised. “Please. Share what you think.”

“I . . .” I cleared my throat, wondering exactly how I ended up being the one asked this question. Oh, yeah, my facial expressions, which likely had betrayed my thoughts. “Things could possibly be different if a lowborn ruled. There are more of us than Hyhborn, and logically, a lowborn would be better at understanding the needs of their own, but . . .”

“But?” Commander Rhaziel pressed, his stare just as hard.

“But it probably wouldn’t be better or worse,” I said. “You gain that kind of authority and wealth? You no longer represent the people, lowborn or Hyhborn, king or queen.”

“Interesting point,” Lord Bastian said, dragging his fingers along his mouth.

“But it’s an irrelevant point,” I added. “If the Iron Knights are now backing the Westlands, then that means they are backing yet another Hyhborn.”

“Indeed,” Prince Thorne murmured. “It seems Beylen believes that the Princess will rule differently.”

I almost laughed, but I thought of Grady— thought of all the lowborn who’d joined or supported Beylen’s cause. Did they know that Beylen was now supporting another Hyhborn? Those who risked their lives and died for Beylen’s cause? I doubted they would be happy to hear this.

“So, you’ve come to tell me that war is not only brewing?” Claude lowered his glass to rest on my leg. His grip was tight, knuckles white. “But has also come to my doorstep?”

“I have,” Prince Thorne confirmed, and my chest went cold. “But also to inform you that Archwood will be defended.”

Relief poured through me, pushing out a rough exhale, because there was a moment something I didn’t even want to acknowledge had begun to creep into my thoughts. But the Hyhborn were going to—

“Defended? With just the three of you?” Claude sputtered.

Whatever short-lived relief I’d felt had already vanished, and it now felt like it had never existed. “The Baron means no offense,” I quickly said, forcing a weak smile. “Right?”

“Of course,” Claude drawled.

“We know the Hyhborn are quite powerful.” Hymel spoke up, and I had never thought I’d think this before, but thank the gods he’d said something. Hell, I would’ve been happy if it were only to insult me. “But three of you to hold back an army?”

“You’d be shocked by what the three of us can do,” Prince Thorne remarked. “However, I believe you would prefer that your city remains standing?”

My next breath went nowhere. Immediately, I thought of Astoria and . . . I looked at the Prince. Saw his smile. It was pure ice. Maybe I had been wrong about him being compassionate. If it was he who had destroyed Astoria, innocents had to have lost their lives in the process. At the very least, thousands had been displaced, turned into refugees over the acts of a few.

Something about that didn’t sit right, though. He was my— Gods damn it, if smacking myself wouldn’t have drawn attention, I would’ve done it. He was not my anything.

“Since it’s been decided, we will have an army ourselves,” Commander Rhaziel said, and I focused on one word. Decided.

As if there had been another option.

“Unless invisibility is a talent of a Hyhborn army . . .” Claude made a show of looking around the hall. “. . . I’m assuming this army has yet to arrive?”

Oh my gods. . . .

Silence fell in the dining hall. It was so quiet I was sure I could hear a fly cough.