“I can run really fast.”
“Just don’t run away,” Alfred muttered, and the boy blushed.
The youngest of the group came forward, and Cahira wrapped an arm around her.
“This is Mikayla,” Cahira said with a proud smile. “She can fly!”
Mikayla blushed. “I’m still learning.”
Brody knew from experience that learning to fly meant some rough landings that really hurt. And this girl was only thirteen, dammit. He was tempted to slap the smirk off Cahira’s face. How dare she force children into an army? Did she expect them to kill for her?
He took Mikayla’s hand. “My dear child, you have your whole life before you, so be careful with your lessons. Don’t attempt anything until you feel comfortable doing it.”
Tears glimmered in Mikayla’s eyes. “Thank you.”
“No need to coddle them.” Cahira marched to the head of the table. “Let’s eat! Burien, please sit on my right. Kendric, you may sit on my left. Maeve, sit next to him.”
Brody grabbed onto Maeve’s arm. “I need her next to me, in case I feel faint.”
Cahira frowned as she took her seat. “Very well.”
It was a relief she actually cared about the Seer, Brody thought. As far as he knew, he was the only one in the castle who could make her change an order.
After everyone sat at the table, the servants circulated with the platters of food. Brody feigned weakness, so Maeve helped him by putting food on his plate.
“Thank you, my dear,” he told Maeve. “I don’t know what I would do without you.”
“I’m just happy to be here with you,” Maeve murmured.
Cahira stabbed a shrimp with her fork. “Thank the goddesses you will have me to take care of you, Burien. After Maeve is married in a week, she’ll have to live with her husband.”
Brody tightened his grip on his fork and knife. “I had to wait twenty years to finally meet my daughter. Surely there is no need to marry her off so quickly.”
Cahira ate a few bites in silence. “Perhaps we can wait another few weeks, but sooner or later, Maeve will have to marry and have a child. We cannot allow our superior race to die off.”
Brody chewed slowly, then helped himself to a sip of wine. “I am not opposed to her getting married as long as she is able to choose the groom herself.”
Cahira sat back with a huff. “Are you jesting? We can’t leave an important decision like that to her! I have already chosen the best suitor possible.”
Kendric gave Maeve a passing glance, then turned to Cahira. “Whom did you choose?”
With a short laugh, Cahira touched Kendric’s sleeve. “Why, you, of course.”
Kendric sat back with a jolt. His fork fell from his hand with a clatter.
“It’s a brilliant idea, don’t you think?” Cahira continued with a smile. “Maeve will be able to prove her loyalty to me and the Circle of Five. And you will have a bride who is the last full-blooded descendant of an ancient and noble race of sorcerers.”
Brody opened his mouth to object, but the Chameleon beat him to it.
“I’m not marrying your daughter,” he hissed, his eyes glimmering with an odd silver tint. “I’ve told you before that I want Brigitta.”
Cahira waved a dismissive hand. “That silly girl is already taken.”
Kendric slammed his hands on the table and rose to his feet. His face turned a mottled red. “I will have Brigitta! Once I take over the mainland, I will claim her.”
“You will take over the mainland?” Cahira scoffed. “You mean Burien and I will. Don’t forget that you and the rest of the Embraced army are fighting for me.”
Kendric gritted his teeth. “Why should you get the mainland when you’ve been sitting here on this stupid island doing nothing? I’ve done all the work, and it’s nearly cost me my life more than once!”
Cahira leaped to her feet. “I raised you when no one else wanted you! Don’t forget that!”
While the two glared at each other, Brody glanced down the table. Alfred seemed to be enjoying the spat, but the others were cowering in their chairs. They were simply children, being forced into something they wanted no part of. He would have to make sure none of them were actually harmed in the upcoming war.
“I have killed three kings, including my own father,” Kendric growled at Cahira. “I will not allow anything or anyone to stop me.”
“You’re not the only one who’s killed a king,” she countered. “I destroyed King Rudgar and his sons.”
Brody stiffened, and beside him, Maeve gasped.
“Then