Beauty In Darkness

4

“Your sorcery doesn’t scare me, Raith.”

My eyes narrowed, hatred burning through my veins like poison. “Then perhaps I’ll simply end this war by claiming your life.”

“Guards!” he shouted, rising to his feet.

A dozen soldiers moved toward me and drew their swords, but I formed a rune in my mind and they all flew back against the wall as if thrown by an invisible catapult. Each one hit the stone hard and crumpled to the floor, where they found themselves unable to move further. Then I leveled my gaze at the King and lifted him five feet into the air, dangling him like a puppet. He let out a choked cry, his eyes bulging.

“You were saying?” I asked.

“Perhaps we can come to some kind of agreement,” Balsam gasped.

“Indeed.” I released him, and he fell to the marble floor in a heap of furs. “Our kingdoms have been at this tired war for generations, but it’s time to end it now.”

He slowly sat himself on the throne again, as if moving was difficult for him now, and the look he gave me was pure malice. “Are you surrendering?”

“No. You are.”

A bitter laugh escaped him. “And why would I do that?”

“Because your people are starving, and you have neither the gold nor the stamina to continue this war any longer.”

He leaned forward on his throne, gripping the arms tightly. “I’ve been fighting this war longer than you’ve been alive, boy. Don’t question my stamina.”

It took all my effort not to roll my eyes. “This war is pointless. We fight because we have always fought, but that needs to end now. Especially when the threat from Mesner grows every day. We can’t afford to fight each other and defend against their army too.”

Balsam leaned back and drummed his fingers on the throne’s armrest as he considered my words. It was a long time before he spoke, but when he did his voice held less anger. “I’ve heard their young queen is ambitious. She wishes to rule every one of the Six Kingdoms.”

“I’ve heard the same. Mesner’s army has always been the strongest. If they move on us, our kingdoms would be first to fall, weakened as they are already.” I had another reason for wanting to end this war as quickly as possible, a threat within my own borders that I needed to address before it destroyed my kingdom from the inside out, but I wasn’t about to let Balsam know of such weakness. If he did, he would march on my lands and end this war once and for all, with my people under his oppressive boot. “But if we end the war and stand together as allies, our show of strength might make her hesitate before attacking either of us.”

A cold, calculating smile spread across his face. “How desperate you must be if you’ve come to me, your greatest enemy, for an alliance against Mesner. Would Korelan not help you?”

“They’ll stand with me as well, but I would prefer two allies at my back. Or, if nothing else, one less enemy to fight.” I took a step forward. “I propose we both remove our soldiers and begin negotiations on the border lands. I’m willing to concede the area of Worth, in exchange for the western part of Hamfit. I’d also like to work out a trade agreement that could benefit us both.”

“Hmm.” Balsam steepled his fingers and gazed at me with cunning eyes. “What guarantee do I have that you’ll remove your soldiers after I remove mine?”

“None but my word.”

“Not good enough. I want some kind of reassurance. Something to solidify our new relationship and this potential alliance.”

I clenched my fists at the thought of working with this wretched man, but I reminded myself I had to do this to protect my people. “What do you propose?”

He leaned forward on his throne. “An immediate end to the war between our kingdoms, sealed with an alliance through marriage.”

“Marriage,” I said, my voice flat. I’d known it might come to this, though I’d hoped he would simply see reason and concede defeat. I had no interest in marrying again, especially not to this man’s spawn, but a political marriage with one of his daughters would ensure his cooperation and quickly put an end to this needless war. More than that, it would allow me to take something precious from him—as he’d once taken from me.

“I have six beautiful daughters,” Balsam said. “If I give you one of them, would you remove your troops and stand with me against Mesner, should the time come?”

I bowed my head and prayed Silena would forgive me. “I would.”

“Then I agree to your terms, King Raith. I too tire of our old war, and we must prepare to face new threats that are now rising. You may take one of my daughters as your bride. You’ll meet them all at the feast tonight and can see which one is to your liking then.”

“I don’t need a feast. Call them forth now so we can get this over with.”

“At least let them prepare first,” he said, waving a dismissive hand. “Give them some time to make themselves pretty for you.” An image of Princess Rose came forth, from when I’d happened upon her in the forest. Her beauty had been striking, with her long dark hair, smooth skin, and red lips. She had no need to “make herself pretty,” as he’d said. She was lovely already, even when fumbling with runes she had no business conjuring. Something about her fierce determination had drawn me to her, so much so that I’d been hesitant to leave the clearing. A longing had stirred in me that I hadn’t felt in years, and never wanted to feel again.