Page 142 of Born of Starlight
“We can discuss plans when all six Corridors are represented tomorrow.” She was looking at Emmerick, but he refused to meet her gaze. A pang tugged at my heart to see them at odds.
“Six?” Darvanda interrupted with amusement.
“The Wastelands are to be included,” Sybilla reasoned.
Darvanda leaned back in his chair, kicking his feet out under the table with a look of defiance. “Ah, but that is the problem. We are not aCorridor.We are a realm of our own—and will be respected and negotiated with as such.”
Queen Sybilla’s face grew red as she sucked in her cheeks, but she nodded.
“My mistake…I see that semantics matter greatly to our friends from the forgottenrealm,”she corrected.“All five Corridors’ rulers and the ruler of the Wastelands will meet tomorrow.”
“Sahlmsara,” Darvanda interrupted again.
Sybilla tried to hide a glare. “Excuse me?”
“The Wastelands are whatyoucall it. Sahlmsara is the realm’s name. We refer to that land informally as the Sahlms.” He sighed and tilted his head as though egging her on to disagree.
Thisdynamic was going to be interesting.
“Well, we will deal with priority concerns for Henosis andthe Sahlms,first—defense, fighting blight of our crops and opening the Egresses to enable trade reform. We must rebuild a stronger partnership. We’ll have council meetings twice a month.”
Krait Darvanda ran a hand through his hair, looking entirely unimpressed. “We can negotiate around a table all day and hold as many council meetings as you desire. But this realm, and your Corridor, still owes me a debt for my aid. So why don’t we settle that today? Then maybe I’ll engage in your little game of monarchy.”
Fen’s hand gripped my knee beneath the table.How long would it take before these two royals tore each other’s heads off?
At that thought, Sybilla glanced at me with a smirk as though to saynot long.
“Imports of water in the summer months,” Darvanda demanded. “Also, a decree to allow those who would like to return to their families in this realm the right to do so and...”
Darvanda paused as though looking around for one last thing.
“As collateral, her.” He pointed a finger toward me. Bile rose to the back of my throat. “My people need reassurance of yourcooperation.She’ll be unharmed, so long as things go well.”
Fen growled and shot up, rattling the table. I caught his arm before he could launch at the Wasteland’s King. Darvanda rose, and so did Elsedora, who stood tall beside her King, but worry crossed her expression.
“I’d like to see you try, Krait.” Fen’s skin seemed to shift to burning embers beneath my hand.
Darvanda chuckled darkly. “Ah, so youareSource Matched. Elsedora suspected.” The serpentine smoothness of his Brennac enunciation fell on my ears like nails grating steel.Source Matched.It still felt odd to have the feeling explained. “Your little show of arms and disobedience four centuries ago got us exiled, old friend. Give me one good reason not to take your precious Star away?”
Elsedora’s back stiffened at the King’s words. Emmerick stalked toward the table with fists clenched.
“Stop this!” Elsie boomed. “It wasn’t him, Krait. He did not betray you or Brennax.”
Krait Darvanda looked between Elsie and Fen before leveling a glare at Fenris.
“Explain,” Darvanda growled. The man was terrifying. It seemed he was used to getting his way—right now, his way would have me shipped off to the Wastelands with him. I shuddered.
Fen explained what happened that night four centuries ago. About Firose’s deception, her wielding his power and his ultimate surrender.
“So, you weren’t following Commander Stygian’s command to attack?” Darvanda was piecing something together. I didn’t know who Stygian was, but by the wrath in his eyes, it was likely better that way.
“No. Because I never attacked…Firose used Van.” Fen ran a hand down my ink-covered arm. “Before I knew it, Stygian had given the order for the Brennac attack. At your command.”
“I never gave the command to attack past the city gates. It was meant to be a coup, not a massacre,” Darvanda answered.
Then he spun on Elsedora.
“You never told me. Why?”
