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Theron tilted his head, his bronze eyes assessing. “Will she join us?”
A flicker of something—maybe pain, maybe resignation—passed through Raenisa’s eyes. “No.”
He sighed. “Then we’ll use this as an opportunity to sway as many soldiers from her as possible.”
“I don’t think that trick will work twice.” Herrath shifted uncomfortably, his fingers drumming against his armored leg, while Zerek’s gaze never left his brother’s form. Roza reached out and brushed his elbow, pulling her hand away swiftly once he met her gaze.
“Still, we have to try,” I said, lacing my fingers with Theron’s. “Lead the way.”
Theron gave me a small nod and stepped forward. Roza followed, her steps determined, and we ventured towards the trio. Caelia started outlining their forces for Theron, quietly recounting their numbers and equipment.
As we approached, Xavier’s face contorted into a sneer as he noticed Zerek. Caelia waited, her expression a veneer of calm even if her eyes kept darting to Raenisa.
“Caelia,” Theron greeted her first before nodding to Xadrian and Xavier. “Thank you for meeting with us.”
“I don’t know why we bother. You don’t deserve our attention.” Xavier looked over Zerek, his lip raised. “Especially after you harbored this no-name trash for years.”
“Only because it ruined your plan to force me to come crawling back to the family with my tail between my legs,” Zerek growled and Roza glanced between the brothers.
Xavier snorted. “As if we’d want a weakling in our House. We should have culled you when you were born.”
Roza tensed beside me, her fists clenching so tightly I swore I heard her knuckles crack. She stepped forward and shoved Xavier with such force that he stumbled backward.
“Weakness is giving up on your brother. Asshole.” She eyed him with disdain. “The desert would have eaten you alive.”
Theron shot Roza a warning glance, but she didn’t even flinch. She simply crossed her arms and stared Xavier down, daring him to respond.
“I won’t have a whore speak to me like this,” Xavier spat out, his eyes narrowed in hatred.
Zerek stalked forward, anger radiating off him in waves, his hawkish features drawn like a raptor mid-attack. “Call her that again and I’ll kill you myself.”
Theron placed a hand on Zerek’s arm, holding him back. “We don’t want to fight—we simply need passage through the Sarro lands to reach Hundaelr.” He looked between the three of them before turning back towards Caelia, who had remained quiet throughout the entire exchange. “I assume Xadrian and Raenisa told you of my plans to reclaim the crown. We have no quarrel with you or your family Caelia, we only wish to pass through. I’d remember this kindness once on the throne and would be quite generous.”
Caelia studied Theron for a long moment before turning her gaze back to them. “You want to claim the throne from your mother? To kill her?”
Theron didn’t flinch from the accusation. “Yes.”
The air seemed to go still as Caelia met his gaze with her determined one. After a few moments of tense silence, she shook her head and looked away. “No,” she said firmly. “The crown is my birthright, not yours; it’s time for the Carxidor reign to end.”
Theron’s jaw clenched. “I’m not a Carxidor. I’m anAxidor. The empire will fall and I’ll be the one to end it.”
Caelia snorted, her expression incredulous. “That’s convenient,” she said in a flat tone. “You just happen to be the one who can bring an end to your family’s reign? You’d have us believe that you’re doing this for anything other than your own gain? Or for your slave concubine?”
Xadrian winced, his mouth opening as if to argue, but I beat him to it.
“I was a slave. And a concubine,” I agreed, my eyes locking on hers. “I’m also a killer, like those previously enslaved Remnants behind me.” I jerked my chin toward our army. “When Rhazien tried to take my freedom, I killed him and his entire harem. What do you think they’ll do to keep theirs?” I asked, my voice dripping with insinuation. “Or what your staff will do when they find out they have a chance to live freely? It only takes a few drops of poison until Theron’s reign is unquestioned. This is your chance to avoid that fate.”
She looked me up and down appreciatively. “I see why Xadrian likes you. But no.” Her attention darted to Raenisa. “I’ve given up everything I’ve ever wanted to ascend the throne. I won’t give it up now.”
Raenisa made a soft noise in the back of her throat, and Roza stepped closer, lending support. Something Caelia’s sharp gaze didn’t miss.
I narrowed my eyes on her. “This is ridiculous. Debating who has a claim based on centuries-old royalty? It doesn’t matter if you’re related to the throne. So is Theron. So am I. All that matters is thatwewant to do what is right.”
Caelia raised her brows.“Xadrian told me you’re supposedly a Helekian. Another convenient story.” I was about to answer, but Caelia stopped me with a wave of her hand. “The difference is that I am doing what is right for my people. For the elves.”
Her gaze shifted, and she stepped forward, pulling something from beneath her cloak. In her grip was an ancient bone sword, pulsing with power that seemed to reverberate across the surrounding space.
“Eiran Daelor entrusted this sword—Endbringer—with my family,” she shouted, holding it up for all of us to see before turning back to Theron, who’d gone still at the sight of it. “With this blade, I claim the throne and all of the Thain Empire.” She met my eye, her voice a low growl. “I’ve been told since I was a child that the crown was to be mine.” I swallowed, her eyes darkening before she continued. “My family has kept this safe for generations, and it’s time for us to take back the crown. I will do whatever is necessary to reclaim it.”
