Alliance (22 page)

“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that, Sire,” Eldin answered, giving Nykin’s shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

Ryneq pushed back his chair and stood, signaling the end of the meeting. “We’ll carry out the counterattack on the witch, exactly as we did the first time. We have no way of knowing when they’ll strike, so have your men on standby.”

“Nykin, I’m calling all riders to the Eyrie now. We need to be ready to move as soon as the witch’s magic depletes.” Eldin glanced at Ryneq talking quietly with Glaevahl before giving Nykin a meaningful look. “I expect to see you there shortly.”

Nykin hung back as everyone left, waiting for Ryneq to finish speaking. “Are you heading back to our quarters? I wanted to talk to you before I return to the Eyrie.” He held Ryneq’s gaze, knowing his feelings were written all over his face.

Ryneq sighed. He looked resigned but offered Nykin a smile. “Yes, of course. I’ll have Thane bring us some lunch.”

T
HEY
WALKED
back to their rooms in silence, and by the time Ryneq closed the door, Nykin couldn’t keep the words inside any longer. “You can’t expect me to just leave you here to die.”

Ryneq walked through to their bedroom and sat down heavily on the bed, looking up to meet Nykin’s gaze.

Nykin paced, one hand immediately going to grab his hair, and he cursed when all he could grab were short locks. “Because if they break through our defenses and Torsere falls, that’s what will happen. Seran isn’t going to let you live, is he?”

The thought of running away and leaving Ryneq and everyone else behind for Seran to do with as he pleased made Nykin sick to his stomach. “I can’t do it.” He dropped to his knees before Ryneq and gripped Ryneq’s thighs to keep himself steady. “Please don’t ask me to.”

Ryneq leaned back and closed his eyes. “What do you think would happen if you stayed?”

“We would fight,” Nykin hissed, tightening his hold. “There are twenty dragon riders in your army. The witch can’t get them all at once. We can defeat them.” He knew there would be casualties, and he’d avoided thinking about it so far, but it was inevitable. It didn’t mean that they should turn tail at the first sign of danger. Fimor had already said the dragons were prepared to fight for Torsere.

“I don’t doubt your bravery, Nykin.” Ryneq reached up to cup his jaw with both hands. “I’m well aware of my army’s capabilities, and the strength of the elves’ magic, and
by the Gods
, I hope we can kill that Rodethian bastard and his witch.” Nykin open his mouth to ask why they were even having this discussion, then, but Ryneq silenced him with a look. “But we have to consider the possibility that we may fail. If they get inside the palace, then there’s nothing that you or the other riders can do to help us. They will have access to the Eyrie, and you won’t be able to land.”

“Not everyone will be in the palace. We can still fight the army outside.”

“But for how long? The witch will be able to pick you off one by one, and I can’t allow that to happen.”

Nykin shrugged out of Ryneq’s hands and stood. “So what, you expect us to leave you all to die and start a new life in Alel? Because that—”

“No.” Ryneq got up off the bed and put his hands on Nykin’s shoulders. “I expect you to wait until Cerylea’s magic is strong enough to protect Torsere and find a way to drive Seran and his witch from our lands. The elves said dragon’s blood increases the strength of spells. Well surely there must be something they can find to use against the witch.”

Nykin swallowed the protest on his tongue, because that wasn’t what he’d been expecting. But even so…. “That could take another two to three weeks at least.” Surely if Seran got his hands on the Stone Palace, the first thing he would do would be to kill Ryneq and probably Nysad, if they were both still alive after the battle. Ryneq had to realize this.

“I know.” Ryneq stepped closer and rested their foreheads together.

His warm scent surrounded Nykin, familiar and comforting, and Nykin’s chest ached at the thought of not having it. “He will never keep you alive that long.”

“I know.”

Nykin wrapped his arms around Ryneq’s waist and pulled him until they were flush against each other, with his head on Ryneq’s shoulder. “Then what’s the point?” It was a selfish thing to say. He knew there was more than Ryneq’s life at stake, but it was all he could think about.

When Ryneq spoke, his voice was low, barely more than a whisper. “The point, Nykin, is that Cerylea will be alive to lead our people, and Torsere and its dragons will never be vulnerable again.”

“You could come with us… to Alel.” Nykin pulled back to meet Ryneq’s gaze, suddenly desperate to make his point. “Help us rescue Torsere from Seran when Cerylea has the magic of Hervath behind her. What purpose does it serve if you die here?”

“I can’t leave my people, Nykin. They depend on me to protect them. What sort of king would I be if I deserted them and left them in the hands of our enemy?”

“But what good will you be if you’re dead?”

“I said no!” Ryneq snapped, pushing Nykin away. “This is my duty, Nykin.” Before Nykin could reply, Ryneq marched over to the door, yanked it open, and was gone.

The room felt empty with his sudden departure, and Nykin was so angry he wanted to yell at the unfairness of it all. And the absolute worst thing about it was that he knew Ryneq was right. A king’s place was with his people, and Ryneq wouldn’t be half the king he was if he abandoned them now.

They would just have to make sure it didn’t come to that.

He left their room for the Eyrie, determined to destroy as much of Seran’s army as possible on their next attack.

N
YKIN
FELT
the warm tingle of magic on his wrist, startled slightly, and almost missed his footing on the steps.

“Nykin?”

“Is everything all right?”
Nykin picked up his pace, taking the remaining steps two at a time. Suddenly the reassurance of Fimor’s company was exactly what he needed.

“I was worried about you. Eldin has informed us of the king’s plans should Torsere fall, and I can tell how you feel about it.”

Nykin sighed, imagining Fimor getting bombarded with his emotions.
“I’m sorry. I just
—
”

“Do not apologize. I understand how hard this must be for you, but Nykin, we believe it is the right decision for us.”

Nykin scoffed, not wanting to hear it. He paused at the top of the steps, avoiding the other riders while talking to Fimor.
“So you’re all happy to run away at the first sign of trouble? I thought you made a pact to keep Torsere safe in exchange for refuge. Well, unless I’m mistaken, you’ve had a safe place to live for over two hundred years.”

Fimor hissed, the sound sharp and piercing inside Nykin’s head, and when Fimor spoke, his voice had a hard edge to it.
“Do you think this is the first battle we have fought to protect this kingdom? The first time we’ve been asked to risk our lives to save the people of Torsere? Believe me when I tell you we have shed enough blood in the name of the King of Torsere. You would do well to learn our history before you preach to me about honor, Nykin.”

Fimor’s harsh words stung, and Nykin felt the shame creep in. He did know about their history and the old wars. He’d just forgotten in his anger.
“I’m sorry.”

He felt Fimor’s irritation melt away, and their bond pulsed with warmth.
“I know you don’t want to leave, Nykin, but we cannot stay if Seran succeeds. Ryneq is right, you must see that. We could wait it out on the mountain, but our riders could not. There is no food, water, or warmth for you up there. If anything should happen to you, we would not be strong enough to shield against the witch’s attacks.”

“I know that, but
you
know what will happen to Ryneq and the others if we leave.”

“I do. But that is the worst-case scenario, Nykin. We’re not there yet.”

“No, we’re not.”
Nykin closed his eyes for a moment, breathed deeply, and tried to shake off the anxiety he’d felt ever since the meeting. It might not ever come to that, so why waste time worrying about it? It may be easier said than done, but he had to try. Otherwise he’d never get through the next few days. He heard the familiar voices of Jaken and Selene and walked up to the Eyrie entrance to see them talking together inside.
“Can you come down to the caves in a little while?”

“Yes. There are enough dragons here to keep the shield in place. Let me know when you are ready.”

“I will. Thank you.”

“You are most welcome.”

Their connection faded, and Nykin headed over to his friends. Selene had her back to him and clearly wasn’t paying attention when Jaken smiled at him over her shoulder. “Hey,” he said and grinned when Selene squeaked with surprise.

“Don’t
do
that!” She slapped him on the arm and frowned. “Gods, Nykin, everyone’s jumpy enough as it is.”

Nykin pulled her in for an apology hug, and even though she continued to frown at him, she grudgingly hugged him back. “Is Eldin here?” He looked around the entrance, where a lot of the other riders were milling around, but he saw no sign of Eldin anywhere.

“He just left for the caves.” Jaken glanced quickly at Selene, the pair of them suddenly looking uncomfortable, and Nykin knew what he was about to say.

“I guess you know, then.” If he was being honest, Nykin felt more than a little relieved that he didn’t have to tell them about it all.

Selene hugged him again, resting her head on his shoulder. “I’m sorry, Nykin. I can’t imagine if it was—” She clamped her mouth shut, and blushed. Obviously she’d said more than she’d planned to.

Nykin bit back the urge to snap at her, because she wouldn’t have to leave anyone behind. Lerran would be going with them to Alel. His silence gave him away, though, either that or his friends knew him better than he thought.

“We’ll
all
be leaving people behind, Nykin,” Selene said softly.

Nykin caught the look on Jaken’s face, and the ugly feeling of shame washed over him for the second time that day. Of course they would be.
Gods
, he needed to stop acting like this before he upset everyone he cared about. He offered Jaken an apologetic look and squeezed Selene’s shoulder. “Yeah… of course. I didn’t think.”

Jaken shrugged but had a small smile on his face as he poked Nykin in the ribs. “That’s all right. It’s what we’ve come to expect from you.”

Nykin smiled back, but the lightheartedness didn’t last long.

“I can’t believe it was Kalis who betrayed us.” Selene looked uncharacteristically nervous, twisting her hands together in front of her, and Nykin wondered if she had known her well.

He hadn’t had that much to do with Kalis until she became Ryneq’s maid again, but that didn’t mean Selene or Jaken weren’t friendly with her. “Were you close?”

Selene shook her head. “No, not really. I mean we all knew who she was, from before when she used to be Ryneq’s maid.” She blushed, and Nykin could well imagine the gossip that went around the palace in Ryneq’s younger days. “It’s more the fact that if the king’s own maid can betray us….”

Then so could anyone.

Jaken shifted uncomfortably, as though he had something he wanted to say but knew it wouldn’t be well received. “I don’t think it’s as simple as that, Selene.” He kept looking at the ground as he spoke, refusing to meet either Selene’s or Nykin’s gaze, and Nykin pushed back the annoyance he felt building at Jaken’s words. “My mother knew her, they were friends—she didn’t know,” he added quickly, looking up with a startled expression, “but she suspected about the baby. She’s really upset about the whole thing. I’m sure Kalis wasn’t in her right mind when she left the palace.”

Nykin couldn’t help it. He remembered the look on Ryneq’s face, the awful mix of anger, betrayal, and hurt, and he lowered his voice so they wouldn’t be overheard. “I’m sure Danek dying was awful for her, but he was a spy for the enemy. The same enemy currently camped on our doorstep and trying everything in their power to break through our defenses and no doubt kill us all.”

Jaken flinched, and Nykin felt Selene’s hand on his arm. He was too worked up to stop, though. His argument with Ryneq had left him with a surplus of pent-up frustration, and it was going to come out one way or another. “Now, thanks to Kalis’s actions, any advantage we may have gained has been wiped out. So forgive me if I don’t have any sympathy for her.”

Jaken looked down at his feet again, a pink blush covering his cheeks. Now that he’d gotten everything off his chest, Nykin felt the guilt creep in. He had no right to talk to his friends that way. Jaken was only offering his opinion, and Nykin had practically jumped down his throat. Yes, he still thought Kalis’s actions were inexcusable, but that didn’t give him the right to take it out on Jaken.

“I’m sorry.” Nykin rubbed his eyes and sighed. “It’s just been a rough day so far.” He held out his hand for Jaken to shake, relaxing a little when Jaken took it and pulled him in for a hug.

“It’s me who should be apologizing.” Jaken squeezed Nykin’s shoulders before pulling away. “You’re right. There is no excuse for treason.”

“We were headed down to the storeroom before you arrived,” Selene said, thankfully changing the subject. “Eldin said we’re here for the foreseeable future, well I guess until the witch attacks, and apparently there will be food and drink down there. Are you coming?”

The thought of food made Nykin’s stomach rumble, but he had something to do first. “I was actually hoping to see Fimor.”

“Oh, of course. We went to the caves earlier.” Selene gestured behind her in the cave’s direction. “The rotation thing is still sort of in effect, but as long as there’s enough dragons in the lair, you should be all right.”

Nykin nodded. “Yeah, that’s what Fimor said.” Jaken still looked a little wary, and Nykin hated the tension between them, so he gave him a gentle nudge with his shoulder. “Save me a seat and some food?”