The Lost Alliance (The Nihryst Book 3) Page 5

Melanie had helped them bathe and dress in fresh clothes. Karey’s blond hair appeared brighter and curlier now that she was truly clean. She reminded him of Carys when she was younger, and he made a mental note to ask Mrs. Lavens about letting her daughter come spend the night as he’d promised. It would be good for Kal and Karey to be around someone close to their age, though at nearly eight, she was a couple years older.

  “A lady came up to make me a new dress,” Karey said with a big grin.

  “She did?” Shane asked, trying to mirror her enthusiasm.

  She nodded, but before she could say more, Kal’s quiet voice cut in. “You came back.”

  Lee looked from Kal to Shane in awe. So, Kal still wasn’t talking around the others.

  Turning to the little boy, Shane squatted down, balancing Karey on one hip. “I told you I would. I’m not going anywhere.”

  Kal considered him for a beat before lunging forward. Shane returned the hug, holding him close. He didn’t know their history, but Loxley had said they were orphans even before Obaith burned to the ground. Adalina smiled at them, and Shane nodded at her, knowing she understood his attachment to these children.

  “Where’s Phillip?” she asked.

  He shifted to grab a nearby chair. After turning it toward them, he moved to sit, keeping Karey on his lap. Kal stayed beside him, one hand going to the arm of the chair. His little fingers traced the intricate design of the wood.

  “Contrary to popular belief, we don’t spend every second of the day together,” Shane told his sister.

  She raised a brow in disbelief.

  Chuckling, he shook his head. “He’s downstairs, preparing for a meeting with the council. They’re probably waiting on me, actually.”

  “I want to be there,” Adalina said, straightening. “I know it’s never really been my place, but—”

  “Yes,” he said immediately. From what he’d heard of their tales the past several months, Adalina had a strategic mind and knew how to fight. She also knew Michel better than any of them. “Of course you should be there too.”

  She let out a breath, as if she’d thought he’d tell her no. That thought broke his heart a little bit.

  “I need you there with me,” he said.

  Loxley stood and ruffled Kal’s hair. “Go on. I’ll stay with them.”

  “Thank you.” Shane squeezed the quiet girl in his arms. She hadn’t let go of him, and putting her down was harder than anticipated. “I will see you both in a little while, all right?”

  Kal took Karey’s hand once she was back on her feet. Seeing him act so protective warmed Shane’s soul.

  “Melanie will be back soon,” Adalina told Loxley. The maid had gone to wash up and rest a bit herself.

  Loxley playfully nudged her as she walked past him. “We’ll be fine.”

  Shane got up to follow. He dreaded this meeting, but he knew how necessary it was.

  Turning to walk backward, Adalina winked and said, “If you say so.”

  When she faced the door again, Shane caught her smiling—something he hadn’t seen in too long. Not since before she left in her search for the Heulwen. It appeared she and Lee had made up, but if the pirate left her again, Shane was going to have words with him. Immortal or not, Shane wouldn’t let him hurt his sister another time.

  The castle was quiet, but a calm atmosphere had filled its halls in recent days. Since the Kald had started vanishing from the kingdom, the people had returned to their daily lives. Tangible relief washed over the villages as the healing began and they tried to move on. More than that though, Shane had worked hard to distribute goods and resources to those in need. The outlying villages especially needed more help, and now that he had the power to give them that help, he had made it happen.

  Adalina remained silent on the way to the ground floor. At the bottom of the stairs, he pulled her to a stop. She stood on the last step while he moved down to the marble floor and faced her—now nearly the same height. As she went to cross her arms, he shook his head and reached for her. He pulled her closer, wrapping her in a hug. She stiffened for only a moment before raising her arms to his back. Burying her face against his shoulder, she shuddered.

  “I hate that you don’t talk to me anymore,” Shane whispered. “I understand that you’ve gone through insurmountable things—things I can only begin to imagine—but it’s always been you and me against the world.”

  Sniffing, she leaned back with a small smile. “I know. There’s just so much… I don’t even know what to tell you.”

  Shane lifted his hands, using one to wipe away a stray tear and the other to brush her wild red hair back from her face, then he kissed her forehead. “You can tell me anything—everything. Well, maybe not everything. I don’t need to know the details of what happens between you and Lee.”

  She let out a soft laugh and shoved him away.

  “Whatever it is though, I support you. Always,” his tone grew more serious. “As long as he keeps that smile on your face and doesn’t hurt you again.”

  Pursing her lips, Adalina stared at him a second before hooking an arm through one of his as she whispered, “Thank you.”

  Together, they headed toward the main council chambers off the throne room. Inside, a dozen well-dressed men and women stood around the long center table. A handful looked down at a map while the others chatted in small groups. At the center of those surrounding the map, Phillip pointed to different areas and directed the conversation. A swell of pride filled Shane.

  He knew Phillip worried he didn’t deserve the title of Captain, but he did. Regardless of his feelings for the man, Shane gave him the position because he was the most qualified and trusted person the king knew. Phillip had a logical mind and was a natural leader when it came to the other soldiers. So often throughout their lives, Phillip tried to hide in the shadows, but he didn’t see just how brightly he shined compared to others. He didn't understand that there was no concealing that flame burning inside—that fight that made people follow him without doubt.

  Phillip’s hazel eyes met Shane’s across the room. The corner of his mouth twitched, but he showed no other sign that Shane’s presence meant something to him.

  “And if you ever need to talk about that,” Adalina whispered, leaning in close, “I’m here.”

  Shane smiled and squeezed her arm. Releasing her, he moved around the table to stand beside Phillip. The room hushed as they finally noticed his arrival, and people began taking their seats. Phillip sat on his left, but when Adalina approached, Shane looked to his right. He motioned for the row of councilors to make room for her, getting up himself to grab her a spare chair from near the wall.

  They grumbled under their breath but did as asked.

  “Princess, it’s nice to see you,” Lord Harold said, breaking some of the tension.

  Both royal siblings took their seats, and Shane nodded in Harold’s direction in appreciation.

  Another voice spoke up before Shane could start.

  “Sorry, your Highness, but surely you don’t intend to stay for this meeting.” The older woman’s eyes were set on Adalina.

  Adalina stiffened, her hands turning to fists. “I do, actually.”

  “It’s no place for a princess,” Lord Dathrin added. “I’m afraid you will find it quite boring as we plan this battle against Rayerna.”

  Phillip coughed to cover up a snort of laughter. He cleared his throat and opened his mouth to speak—to undoubtedly argue on Adalina’s behalf—but Shane nudged his foot with his own beneath the table. When Phillip looked at him, Shane shook his head then glanced back at his sister. She didn’t need them to fight for her.

  Adalina slowly got to her feet, bracing herself with both hands atop the map. “For most of the last eight months, I have traveled the seas to save this kingdom.”

  The room went silent, everyone staring at her.

  “I have fought off pirates and soldiers,” Adalina went on. “I found the lost island of Cyfrin and then searched high
and low for the Heulwen to heal our people. I was kidnapped by…” She looked down at her hands for a moment before meeting their eyes once more. “Michel threw me in a dungeon. He killed his own parents. He killed Shane’s betrothed right in front of me, slitting her throat after torturing her for information she didn’t have.”

  Shane flinched. Since returning, she hadn’t told him exactly what happened in those cells, just that Lady Saundra was dead. His stomach churned at the thought of the woman suffering down there alone for weeks before Adalina showed up. Under the table, Phillip put a hand on his knee.

  “I brought the flower back along with the lost Prince of Rayerna. I have done more for this kingdom than you can possibly imagine,” Adalina said, her tone growing sharp. “I’m staying for the damned meeting.”

  Shane smiled at his sister, proud that she stood up for herself.

  “Forgive me, Princess,” Lord Dathrin said, inclining his head.

  “Wait,” the older woman—Lady Eileen—raised a hand to cease his talking. “Did you say you found Cyfrin, the Heulwen, and the lost prince?”

  Adalina’s eyes widened.

  “But they’re just stories.” Lady Eileen’s brow furrowed. “That’s not possible.”

  Adalina slid back into her seat, her face pale. They’d agreed to not divulge the truth of all her findings, but it was too late. Murmurs spread throughout the room as people began arguing and pointing fingers. Shane saw Adalina retreating back into her shell, and he refused to allow that to happen.

  “Enough,” Shane barked out, slamming his hands on the table and rising to his feet. The talking immediately stopped as they all stared up at him in surprise—all but Adalina and Phillip. Adalina was busy wringing her hands in her lap, and Phillip’s look was more awe than shock. Shane took in each person sitting before him. “She speaks the truth. We have proof that the rightful heir to the throne is not Michel.”

  “Your Majesty,” Harold said slowly. “Even if the lost prince existed, that was nearly a century and a half ago. He'd have long since perished.”

  Shane looked down at his sister. This wasn’t his secret to tell, but if it meant making things right in both kingdoms…

  “Not if he’s immortal,” a deep voice said from the doorway, taking the choice away from Shane.

  Chapter 8

  Loxley

  Lee moved into the room, aware that all eyes were on him. But he only cared about one person’s gaze, and he headed straight for her. Shane grabbed a nearby chair and placed it at the corner of the table between his seat and Ada’s, moving closer to Phillip. He nodded as Lee approached.

  Neither sat, but Lee put a hand on Ada’s shoulder. She reached up to cover it with her own.

  “You don’t have to do this,” she whispered.

  Before he could think better of it, he bent down and kissed the top of her head. “Yes, I do.”

  “Some of you know me as Captain Lee,” he said, straightening. “But my birth name—my more notorious name—is Loxley.”

  A collective gasp went around the room. Lee could see the doubt in every one of their eyes. Shane sat, welcoming him to continue with a wave of his hand.

  He needed a quick way to prove himself.

  “Need a dagger?” Phillip asked, reading his mind.

  “Oh please, he’s a pirate,” Ada said. “He probably has half a dozen strapped to himself right now.”

  “Pirate?” a few people whispered to one another.

  Ada’s eyes went wide.

  “I thought you said he was a captain?” someone directed toward the king.

  Shane looked as if he was trying not to laugh. “Well… he is.”

  At that, Phillip cleared his throat to cover up an escaped chuckle. Lee sighed. They didn’t have time for this. He reached for the dagger strapped to his thigh. Pulling his other hand free from Ada’s, he gripped the blade and sliced his palm open. Someone cursed, pushing to their feet.

  “What is the meaning of this?” a short, balding man demanded.

  Lee wiped the blade across his dark pants to rid it of his blood then slid it back into its sheath. Shane held out a cloth from the stars knew where, but Lee thanked him and held it to his bleeding palm.

  As he waited for it to begin healing, he went on. “I am Loxley of the Nihryst, and I am the rightful heir of Rayerna. As was proven when I gave the Heulwen flower to your king to stop the Kald from further spread.”

  The man who’d questioned him looked as if he was about to argue, but the pain in Lee’s hand eased. He felt the familiar tug of his skin mending itself and took the cloth off of the wound.

  “I am the immortal warrior of your stories.” Lee held up his injured palm, facing it toward the council for them to witness his healing for themselves.

  “If the Heulwen truly exists,” a woman said, “how do we know it’s not just that healing you?”

  Lee took his seat. He didn’t know quite what to say to that.

  “I have the cards,” Ada said. “The cards from the curse were passed down to me, and we are working together to break the curse of immortality set by my ancestors. Loxley has helped this kingdom despite everything taken from him here. You have no reason to doubt his intentions.”

  At the sternness in her voice, Lee couldn’t help the small smile forming on his lips. He reached over with his clean hand and placed it over hers on top of the table.

  “His intentions seem rather clear,” the first man said with a scoff. “Don’t think we’re not all aware of whose bed he warms at night, Princess.”

  Lee snarled, but it was Shane who spoke. “Lord Fandral, you are relieved of your position on this council.”

  Fandral gaped at the king, his face turning several shades of red. “You think there aren’t rumors of who you spend your nights with too? You will be the ruin of Detmarya, boy.”

  Phillip’s chair toppled as he stood. Shane grabbed for his arm, but he was already around the table, his fist clashing with the man’s jaw. Fandral stumbled back.

  “If you ever speak about your king or the princess like that again, I will have you charged with treason,” Phillip said, all but dragging the man to the door.

  “Oh, and Fandral,” Shane said before Phillip could shove the noble into the hall. “Should that happen, before he sends you to the dungeons, you and your family will be stripped of all your titles and lands.”

  Fandral turned and stormed out the door, Phillip following behind. He returned a moment later, righted his chair, and sat down. Anger radiated from him, but Lee knew beneath that was fear. The man’s accusation had been vague enough for those present not to realize it was Phillip whom Shane spent his time with, but it did mean that those rumors were out there.

  “Anyone else have a problem, or can we get back to the matter at hand?” Shane asked, putting a hand on Phillip’s shoulder for the briefest second.

  To anyone who didn’t know, it would appear as if he was simply thanking his best friend. What they didn’t see—or at least acknowledge—was Shane then lowering that hand under the table to hold Phillip’s.

  “Good.” Shane nodded. “Then, let us continue. We have news that Michel’s troops are gathered in the southeastern fields of Rayerna, waiting for us.”

  “Why would he wait?” an older lady asked.

  Ada shifted in her seat. “He’s smart; he knows he cannot defeat us at sea, and he won’t initiate the war. He’ll wait because he knows we will go to him after all he’s done. He can’t outrun this battle, but he can control where it happens.”

  Understanding how difficult this must be for her, Lee squeezed her hand gently.

  “The problem is, many of our ships are unresponsive,” Phillip said. “We’ve sent messengers and raised the colors, but a number of the commanders are refusing to yield to Sha—King Shane’s reign. They are claiming loyalty to Emyr, who is unfit to lead at this time.”

  Ada leaned forward. “How many men do we have?”

  Shane looked to the older gentleman—Ha
rold, Lee believed was his name—on her other side.

  “Right now, without them,” Harold said, “just under five thousand

  “That’s less than half of our forces.” Ada shook her head, raising her free hand to her mouth.

  “We’re missing an entire fleet.”

  “What do you mean you told them the truth?” Brienne asked. “How much?”

  “Just about me, but it’s a safe bet they will put it together and know who you all are.” Lee took another long drink of his now-warm ale. After discussing battle strategies for what felt like hours, the council had dispersed. Shane said he was going to talk to those in O’ Chwedlau and spread a call to arms throughout the kingdom. The plan was to leave in three days’ time, and they were desperate.

  Lee had sought out his second to relay the decision. He would sail to Rayerna with the king and Adalina aboard his ship, but he couldn’t bring himself to ask his crew to come with them. They were free from the curse now—able to live out the rest of their lives. He wouldn’t ask them to give that up.

  Not again.

  “I will gather the crew, and we’ll be ready,” Brienne said.

  “What? No, you’re not going.” He shook his head, putting his mug down.

  “Of course we are.”

  “No, it’s not safe now that you’re all mortal again,” he said, standing. “It’s not up for debate.”

  He walked from the tavern into the bright, crisp day. Brienne followed as she always did, but he wouldn’t do this.

  “Stop.” She grabbed his arm and pulled him to a halt near the next alley. “You’re our captain. We’re going with you. We’re still part of this.”

  “You were never supposed to be part of it!”

  A few people paused to look their way, but he no longer cared who heard them. Here, in the hidden square of O’ Chwedlau, most knew who they were by now anyway.

  “You weren’t soldiers,” he said, remembering the young, grief-ridden girl he took in so many years ago. “You were merchants and thieves. The only one of us who was a soldier is dead because of me. I won’t let the rest of you meet the same fate.”