Page 96 of Tides of Shadows

Dricus.

All eyes turned toward the man dressed in black. And my heart pounded like a hammer. But did this Election mean anything to me at all?

Dricus looked to Aidenar. Then to me.

“Eric Salvadore,” he said. “Family Cineris casts its vote for Eric Salvadore.”

Four to six.

The Cavareths lost the Regency.

Aidenar was left with nothing.

Cassandra’s eyes burned with naked hatred.

The chamber erupted in murmurs.

As the council dispersed, some gathered around Eric Salvadore, offering congratulations and reminding him, no doubt, of promises yet to be fulfilled.

Aidenar rose, straight-backed, and held Eric’s hand.

“Your loss, my son,” Eric said softly. “And I do not speak only of the Regency.”

Velena looked upon me with all the spite she possessed. The new daughter of the Regent.

“Perhaps this was the gods’ design,” Aidenar said.

Eric smiled thinly. “Ah. The gods.”

Aidenar walked through the Inner Court and approached Dricus on his way. They measured each other for a long moment. They were so different in every way. Aidenar extended his hand.

“Thank you,” he said. A pause hung between them. “For the help. In the name of the city, the Regent, and my own. Without you, many more would have perished. I owe you a debt.”

There was sincerity in Aidenar’s voice, an open honesty that came rarely from him.

Dricus smiled faintly and inclined his head. “The day of payment may come sooner than you think. Farewell, Lord Cavareth. Look after your people.” He glanced at me as if to add more, yet held his tongue, then turned and went to his men that awaited him.

Aidenar inclined his head toward me. We left the Inner Court among the first, passing beneath the palace arcades.

Behind us came Cassandra, furious.

“You have ruined everything,” she screamed toward Aidenar, who stopped behind me. “This is your fault! I gave you everything I had. I made you what you are. Your father and I. Without me you are nothing.”

“And her,” her gaze cut toward me. “I hope whatever is between those legs was worth it.”

Aidenar halted.

He turned, and with a gust of wind, threw Cassandra against the wall. Her head, arms, and legs were pressed against the marble. Her eyes bulged. She couldn’t breathe.

He approached her slowly, his voice dark and measured.

“You will never speak to me in that manner again. You will never utter a single foul word about her.” His gaze hardened. “Your rule is over. I return to Durminas to take care of our Family legacy. And you… do whatever you want with yourself.”

He released her. Cassandra knelt on all fours, gasping for breath, clawing nails at the stone.

Aidenar turned to me, his eyes dark as smoke. He extended his hand toward me.

I knew this fight with Cassandra was irreversible. That Aidenar was cutting himself off from everything he’d known his whole life. Mother, Regency, Velena, White City. And he wanted me to walk this path with him.