Kingdom of Sea and Stone (Crown of Coral and Pearl #2) - Mara Rutherford Page 0,85
“If you came to make me feel bad about myself, you shouldn’t have bothered. I don’t need any help with that.”
All of the adrenaline and thrill of victory had clearly run its course, and Talin’s guilt was physically evident in the slump of his shoulders and the frown tugging at his lips. My heart ached for him, but I couldn’t pretend that I agreed with any of this.
“There has to be another way,” I said quietly. “A peaceful way.”
His eyes flashed in the candlelight. “War is the opposite of peace, Nor. Diplomacy isn’t going to work with my brother. You of all people should understand that.”
“Was he there? On the battlefield?”
“Yes.”
“Did you talk to him?”
His eyebrows rose, and I immediately felt foolish. “What do you think happens on a battlefield, Nor?”
“I’m sorry. I’m clearly making things worse. I’ll go.”
I was nearly at the flap when he grabbed my elbow. His voice was thick when he spoke. “Wait, please. Today was difficult, Nor. It’s only going to get harder from here. I need to know that I have your support. I can’t go into battle knowing you don’t believe in me.”
I placed my hand over his. “I believe in you, Talin. I always will. But this war... I’m just not sure I believe it’s the only option. Do you know why your mother wants the throne so badly?”
His brow furrowed in confusion. “What do you mean? You know how Ilarean succession works.”
“I know that she believes Zoi should be queen. But she has wanted to see one of her children on the throne even before Ceren became what he is. It can’t simply be about birthright. Shouldn’t what’s best for the people matter most?”
“I’m surprised you of all people would question my mother’s motives,” Talin said. “She grew up under Ilarean rule, just like you did. She wants to make sure her people are safe. And she wants a peaceful Ilara.”
I could understand that, of course. It was the same thing I wanted. But there was a part of me that feared Talia had lost sight of her true aim. She was so focused on the throne she could no longer see all the people she would damage on her way to seizing it.
Rather than press the point with Talin, I said a half-hearted goodbye and stepped out into the night. Most people were celebrating Talia’s victory as I passed through the camp, but I went straight back to my tent to talk to Adriel. She was in her bed, trying to sleep but clearly frustrated by all the noise outside.
“Do you remember the vision I had in Riaga?” I asked her as I perched on the edge of her bed.
She sat up and glanced at my neck. “Of course.”
“Ceren wasn’t drinking my blood in that vision. I think it happened because my own blood was being spilled.”
She arched an eyebrow. “And?”
“He looked completely worn out and exhausted, as I told you. And that was before the battle. I have a feeling he’s out of blood.”
“Good. That should make him easier to defeat.”
“It should also make him desperate to get more of my blood.”
She eyed me suspiciously. “What are you suggesting, Nor?”
“Talin only believes diplomacy won’t work with Ceren because he isn’t willing to give up the one thing Ceren wants.”
Adriel folded her arms across her chest and stared at me. “You mean you, don’t you?”
My doubts about this plan had plagued me since I arrived at Talia’s camp. If I was wrong, I could foil her plans and put the Varenians in more danger. Even if I was right, I would still be forced to confront the source of so much fear and pain. How could I trust myself now, when every big decision I’d made leading up to this point felt like a mistake?
“I’m so lost, Adriel. I wish I had a compass to guide me.”
“You do, Nor.” She smiled and pointed to the center of my chest. “And as far as I can tell, it has never led you astray.”
* * *
We moved camp the next day, thousands of us packing up and crossing the distance to Old Castle. It was heavily guarded by Talia’s strongest troops, the ones who were actually trained soldiers. Some of us were moved into the castle itself, while the vast majority camped in tents outside the castle walls.
Old Castle had once been filled with nobles and royalty, but that had been decades ago, and it looked like what it had been for