Falling Kingdoms

“When better?” was all King Gaius allowed.

King Corvin cast a pitying look at Chief Basilius. “You trust him with something this important?”

“Completely. He proved himself to me in ways that very few ever would dare to. He honored me with a true sacrifice. That is worth its weight in gold to me.”

“Then you’re an unforgivable fool.” King Corvin pushed back from the table and got to his feet. “This meeting is over. I have more to worry about right now than listening to nonsense.”

“We’re giving you this one chance to agree to our terms,” King Gaius said, undeterred. “You would be wise to accept. Your family would be treated well. You would be given a new home. An allowance. There doesn’t need to be any blood shed because of this.”

“Everything you touch becomes stained with blood, Gaius. That’s why you haven’t been welcome in my kingdom for ten years.” He turned toward the door and a guard pushed it open.

“We have your daughter.”

King Corvin’s shoulders tensed and he slowly turned around. His annoyed expression had shifted to something much more dangerous. “I don’t think I heard you right.”

“Your daughter, Cleiona.” Gaius enunciated the words perfectly. No room for misunderstanding. “Seems that she was found wandering through Paelsia without protection. Not very wise for a princess, is it?”

Jonas tried very hard to keep any expression off his face. This was what he’d waited for all this time and why he hadn’t killed Cleo himself. Instead, the promise of her continued life would be used to ensure a brighter future for his home and family.

“You really shouldn’t let your youngest travel to other lands without proper protection,” King Gaius said. “But don’t worry. I’ll personally ensure her safety.”

“You dare to threaten me?” King Corvin’s words were edged in poison.

King Gaius spread his hands. “It’s very simple. Surrender your kingdom when we return with our combined army at our backs. And no one will have to suffer.”

King Corvin’s grip on the edge of the doorway was so tight that Jonas was sure he would tear off a strip of wood from it at any moment. “Harm my daughter and I will personally tear you apart.”

King Gaius remained calm. “How could I wish harm to your youngest, Corvin? I know the love a father has in his children. My eldest, Magnus, for example, is proving his worth in so many ways. Even right at this moment. I’m very proud of him. As I’m sure you’re proud of your daughters. You have two, do you not?” The Limerian king frowned. “The older one, I’ve heard, has fallen quite ill. Will she recover?”

“Emilia is fine.”

King Corvin was lying. Jonas saw it in his eyes.

Cleo claimed to have journeyed into Paelsia chasing after the legend of an exiled Watcher who might be able to save her sister’s life. She’d been telling him the truth. The truth when he’d only expected more lies.

“Think about what we’ve discussed here. Think very carefully.” King Gaius rose from his chair. The others, including Jonas, took his lead and did the same. “When I return, I expect you to be out in front of your palace gates offering your immediate and absolute surrender.”

King Corvin was quiet for a moment, his expression tense. “And if I don’t?”

King Gaius swept his gaze around all those present for this meeting. “Then we’ll take Auranos by force. And I’ll personally witness your young daughter tortured for a long time before I finally allow her to die.”

“And I will be sure to do the same to yours,” King Corvin hissed.

King Gaius laughed at this. “I would dare you to try.”

They left. Jonas felt King Corvin’s strained gaze heavy on him as he moved toward the exit.

“It was your brother who was killed that day in the market,” the king said to him as he passed. “I recognized your name.”

Jonas nodded but didn’t meet the other man’s eyes.

“Whether you realize it or not, your grief and desire for vengeance has caused you to align yourself with scorpions,” King Corvin said. “Be very careful that you don’t get stung.”

Jonas cast only a short glance at the man, fighting to keep his expression neutral, before he followed the others from the room.

The princess was proving to be more elusive than Theon had hoped. After arriving in Paelsia with two trusted guards, he’d searched far and wide, scouring the villages they came across for any clues.

One thing was certain—Cleo and Nic had been there, stopping long enough to make a lasting and mostly favorable impression on the locals before carrying on. Theon was surprised to learn they said they were traveling as sister and brother...from Limeros. Clever.

But then he’d hit a wall. Nothing new. No clues. And every day that passed deepened his desperation and fear that something horrible had befallen her. Finally he instructed the guards to split up so they could individually cover more ground.

It had been his duty as Cleo’s bodyguard—his only duty—to keep her safe. The king’s promise to kill him if he failed was the farthest thing from his mind. He was more concerned with the princess’s safety.

It wasn’t until ten days after she left Auranos that he finally found a clue.

On a narrow, muddy road after yet another strange and unexpected thunderstorm, Nicolo Cassian was headed straight for him.