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He gives us everything. The coalition between the rebels and the Anderkan king, brought about with the support of the church. The priory assisted in passing word of their plans quietly across the continent. I'm glad to see courtiers and peasants are filming the whole thing with their stones. I'm on my best behavior, to avoid breaking their devices.
I can see why Anderkan and its church would ally with the rebels. If they took out most of the demis, the rest of the kingdoms, then destabilized, would be theirs for the taking.
"I vote to remove Natheran Reiks the Sixth from his throne, effective immediately," calls one courtier I don't recognize. He wears a house sigil proudly against his chest.
"Seconded," says another man, younger but flocked in the same attire.
"Aye," a third one echoes. "Three out of five means the motion will be presented to the chamber tomorrow. In the meantime, all executive power belongs to you as the crown heir, sir." He inclines his graying hair to Reiks.
I frown. "Where the hell is the king?" He was at the doors moments ago, but while we were all focused on the vicar, he's disappeared.
"There!" someone screams, pointing high at the front of the palace.
Shit.
Natheran Reiks stands at the window on the second floor. Each floor's so high that he must be fifteen feet above us. He holds his daughter by the throat at the balcony. "Get out! All of you, out, or I take her with me." His cruel mouth curls. "Don't think I won't! And see how the world will take to a princeling who let his little sister die!"
Reiks swears under his breath.
"I can try to get to her," I say doubtfully. We both know my magik isn't what one would call reliable. There's an equal probability that I might save her or blow her up.
The king grins victoriously, as though he expects to win this round. And he might, but his council has still decided to remove him. We'll have to regroup and come back—for his sister, and his throne—after the chamber confirms what everyone knows: Natheran the Sixth is done for.
Let's just hope Dyfina doesn't suffer in the meantime, alone with that madman.
"We'll be back," Reiks says in an echo of my thoughts, making his way to the hovercraft.
I've only taken one step to join him when I see a flash of metal. Dyfina takes a letter opener out of her dress and plunges it right into her father's throat. Blood, thick and black as night, drips all over her, and the king stumbles, letting go of his hold.
Dyfina screams as she falls forward. My first instinct is to help her with my magik, but instead, I propel myself forward, half flying, half jumping, catching her right before she hits the ground.
The girl sobs in my arms. "Oh my god, that was so scary."
I let her down gently. "You were so courageous. I can't believe you stabbed him."
"Me neither. Usually, that only happens in my dreams." She laughs just as Reiks catches up with us and takes her from me.
"You're amazing, Fifi. Amazing."
"I knew he was going to hurt me as soon as he could. That's what he does, when things don't go his way," she tells us, matter-of-fact. "He lashes out. I figured I'd better get him first."
Reiks's hold tightens against her shoulder. "Never again. You made sure of that."
I smile, watching the usually cold and indifferent siblings embrace.
Dyfina has taken care of one of the worst monsters in Xhera for us. Now, we can enjoy some peace.
For a time.
EPILOGUE
"Mom!" I scream. When that fails, I try again. "Valina! Mar! Cal!"
Where the hell is everyone?
It's been two weeks since the attack that decimated five cities, and after helping rebuild all of it, we're finally taking a long-overdue break at home.
It was fun to watch Reiks dance under the moonlight. He doesn't often let go, but I made him relax. And then we made love outside most of the night, which is why I'm only waking up at midday.
