Page 271 of Commanding Blood And Bonds

“Oh, by all means, keep yelling. Let the entire manor listen in.” I crossed the threshold. “Like the duel didn’t already raise enough red flags, now you two are staging a spectacle.”

Mom flicked her wrist and the door slammed shut behind me. “The two of you played your cards well. But don’t be so arrogant as to think I can’t see a trap when you set one. Don’t forget who taught you to wield words like knives. You’ve both loathed your cousin for years.”

“Because he’s a sociopath with no concept of consequence, Your Majesty,” Cali shot back without flinching.

Mom’s neck flushed a mottled red, but Cali was beyond caring.

“He shot that girl with no thought for who she was or what that would do to your Prince—our Prince—in direct defiance of orders.”

“And now he pays the price. If a century on his knees doesn’t teach him humility, perhaps it will teach you patience. I believe he can still be…refined into an asset.”

Nix’s words on that stage had me thumbing at my signet ring. “Wouldn’t count on that.”

“You’ve set a precedent,” Cali hissed. “That we can be disobeyed without facing the consequences laid out in the Accords.”

“She’s right,” I drawled flatly. I was itching to burn energy, to do something. Maybe a brawl with Reyna’s guard would’ve been a better use of my afternoon.

Mother turned that scorching gaze on me, but froze at what she saw.

“You feel cheated.” Her voice softened like silk over steel.

“What gave it away?”

“Mercy is not weakness, Cyrus. It’s the ultimate form of control.”

My blood turned to ice. As for my sister? Nothing but fire. “The blade might be gone, but I assure you, his wound still bleeds. Were you showing mercy? Or were you making sure he remained beneath your heel?” Cali flung her hand out toward me.

I cocked my head, but she wasn’t done.

“You need the Harbinger of Glory leashed to your throne, is that it?”

“Enough!” Mother moved so fast I didn’t see the strike—just the crack as Cali’s head snapped back.

I was in front of her before the sound finished. Shadows hissed at my fingertips, and the rage in my chest ignited like dry kindling.

“Mother.”

“Remember whose blood gave you the power you now hold,” she said icily.

I held her stare, even as every part of me screamed to turn, to check on Cali. But I knew better than to show weakness in front of a predator.

“I think Poe might have something to say about that.”

“I’ve entertained your petulance long enough,” she snapped. “I’m not asking again, Calypso. You will bring The Wraith in for a formal declaration.”

“I assure you,” I said, “no one will be bringing her anywhere she doesn’t choose to go.”

Her eyes flared, shadows coiling. “You would defy your Queen?”

“Your need for an heir brought me here,” I said slowly. “But the universe brought me to Freya.”

Cali’s hand settled lightly on my shoulder in silent reassurance. She was still standing. Still fierce. My heart finally unclenched.

“She has her endorsement,” Cali said. “And that’s well within the bounds of the Accords.”

“You barely know her,” Mother spat. “You defend a woman who’s waged war against our people.”

“We defend a woman who’s saved your son’s life more times than I can count.”