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“Ten thousand?” she echoed. “Since when?” The numbers they’d previously calculated had barely been half that.
“They’ve been hiding in the shadows, as they’ve always done.”
“You think they’re shadow weavers?”
“What else could they be?” Her skin crawled. She’d faced them before. Instead of harnessing the natural elements, those blessed could also summon shadows, seemingly from the depths of hell. They burned just like flame and danced around their bodies like demons of their own.
Saoirse composed herself. “So, what’s our move?”
“We’ll aid them of course.” Rion stiffened at her side. “We’ve been trying to crush Móirín for years, why pass on a perfectly good opportunity?”
Her gaze flashed to Rion’s motionless form. “Do you believe Fiadh can be trusted? You know as well as I that an alliance with them is…temperamental at best.”
“Which is why we’ll wait. Fiadh will lose a large portion of their forces against Móirín, making them more open to negotiations with us. I’m certain The Demon won’t object to having some fresh blood to spill.”
Rion still hadn’t moved. She couldn’t tell if he’d gone into shock or if her little brother was trying to devise an impossible plan.
Saoirse took a deliberate step forward, crossing the small space. Her heels clicked as she ascended three stairs and came around the low table to stare at Alec’s maps. Despite what her elder brother wanted, she knew Rion wouldn’t attack Móirín. Not with Arianna there. And then there was the possibility this female really was The Divine. She was her brother’s second in command, she’d have some sway in his decisions. She had to try.
“With their history, I’m not sure I agree.” Saoirse lifted a wooden figure that represented Brónach’s army and slid it toward Móirín. “What if we were to aid Móirín instead?”
“What?”
Saoirse folded her arms, refusing to meet Alec’s penetrative gaze. “If we crush Fiadh, Móirín will be forced to see us as allies again. Our two countries had peace for centuries. The same can’t be said of Fiadh.”
Alec rubbed his temple. “You can’t be serious. After a decade, you want me to march a legion of warriors over their border and claim aid?”
“Two legions, to ensure we’re heard loud and clear.”
Alec pinched the bridge of his nose. “Why the change of heart? I thought you, of all people, would jump at the chance to crush Móirín and be done with it.”
Her gaze traveled to their little brother. His face had turned deathly pale, and he’d clenched his fists so tight she could see the whites of his knuckles. His breath was shallow, but he gave her a subtle nod.
“Because Rion never killed Móirín’s High Lady. Fiadh played our countries against one another, and I’d rather not be another pawn in their game.”
Alec stared at her, shifted his gaze to Rion, then returned it to her. “Is this supposed to be a joke?”
“No,” Rion said, taking a step forward.
Vines broke from the floor in response, winding their way along the arms of the guards as they readied themselves for a fight.
Alec raised his hand to steady them. “Our little brother runs home with his tail between his legs and now you’re inclined to believe anything that comes from his filthy mouth?”
“It’s true,” Rion said. Alec scoffed, but Rion continued. “Tell me honestly, would you have believed me if I’d claimed innocence? Do you think the Lord of Móirín, who stood over his dead mate, would have believed me?”
“I don’t believe you now, so what’s your point?”
Rion growled in frustration. “I haven’t done anything since my return, shouldn’t that count for something?”
“After decades of cleaning up your messes? No, I’m afraid it doesn’t.”
“Brother—”
Alec slammed his chair back in such a violent rage that Saoirse flinched. Greenery shot from the floor, cracking the marble and the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end from the sheer force of his power. “You donotget to call me that. You do not get to come in here and pretend you’re part of this family. Not after what you did to our father.”
Their father… he still blamed Rion. Everyone did. Because she hadn’t taken a stand all those years ago.
Rion stood before Alec, magic flaring in response but he didn’t so much as look at his sister.
