To Etch a Promise in Bone: A Sands of Maeoris Prequel Novella by Atley Wykes

Author:Atley Wykes [Wykes, Atley]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Alder Circle Press
Published: 2023-03-28T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

Theron

Ipaced the outdoor patio connected to my suite; the braziers burning low as dawn approached. She should’ve been back by now. Ydonja’s stars were still visible in the early light, and the crescent moons shone before they dipped beneath the horizon. They were named for Rhaedos, the shifter god, and the mate he’d never found, chasing her continually across the night sky. I looked into the endless dark, searching for something, maybe Ydonja herself, and praying that Raenisa would return soon with good news. I had faith that she could complete her mission, but the plan hinged on this.

The door opened and Raenisa strode in. She looked exhausted and her armor was dull with dust, but a spark of triumph shone in her eyes.

“Niko told me they’re going to sabotage a water forum tonight,” she said, determination filling her voice despite her haggard appearance. “We need to act quickly,” Raenisa continued. “He doesn’t think we can dissuade them.”

“What’s their plan?”

“They’re going to raid the stalls, apparently, and store everything in the sewers to distribute them to the slaves.”

I smirked. Seems the rebels had learned that people are only loyal to the hand that feeds them.

“That’s easy enough to fix. We’ll station guards at the forum and flush out the tunnels to get rid of any equipment they have down there. That should give them pause.” I stroked my chin. “But if he’s right and they don’t stop, it’ll just keep us here indefinitely. I need to convince Rhazien to contact Varzorn now before anything can happen.”

“That’s risky.” Raenisa collapsed on the settee, letting out a groan. “We don’t know that we can back up our threats.”

I sighed. Raenisa was right. We had no guarantee that Rhazien would take us seriously if we threatened him with a coup. “Rhazien’s a slave to his pride, and if he thinks he can get away with something, he will use it as an opportunity to prove himself right and show everyone who is in charge. But if he believes I’m trying to take it from him, he’ll attack.”

“Then why don’t you just kill him?” Raenisa asked, flipping her blade in her hand and catching it. “Isn’t that what you royals do?”

Her caustic tone told me where her mind had drifted. A generation ago, Varzorn’s father had killed his brother, Gavril, and his husband, Pitre Taelyr, Raenisa’s great uncle, to secure his rule. And they’d never forgotten. The Taelyr words, ‘No faith betrayed’ were sacred to them; it was one reason I trusted Raenisa with my life, and it was also why the Taelyrs still had a blood debt against the Carxidors.

Pacing the patio again, I considered her words. I wasn’t sure I could beat him, or what my mother would do if I killed Rhazien. But Raenisa didn’t know that and she wouldn’t understand if I told her I was worried that I’d panic midway through the fight with him, overcome with memories, and that he’d kill me.

“Varzorn won’t mind if I do, yes,” I said finally.

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