Marai glanced over to the portrait of Vanguarden and Larissa. “He can physically pass for the prince. The monks gave him lessons on governing a kingdom as a boy, and he’s a skilled swordsman. Who else is more suited? What other choice do you have?”
“That may all be true, but that hardly gives us incentive to deceive our entire kingdom. That would be considered treason,” said Holfast. “Our people’s faith in Nevandia hangs by a thread as it is.”
Marai glared at them; those powerful, conniving men, who had destroyed a family for the sake of their games. “You’ve already lied to everyone, but now you have the means to repent. You can give Lady Morwenna’s sacrifice, Prince Kiernen’s sacrifice, meaning. The only way forward for Nevandia, for the survival of your country, is for it to have a leader. A figure the people can look to for hope, to rally behind. Let Ruenen be that person. Let him lead.”
Vorae shook his bald head back and forth, and Fenir grimaced at Marai, arms tightly crossed. Holfast blinked, calculating.
Ruenen appeared at Marai’s side, gazing at her as if she was a wonder. She remembered this expression; he’d looked at her this way before, after he’d first seen the lightning.
Marai couldn’t tear her eyes away. She hoped he could see how much she believed in him. “You can teach Ruenen everything else he needs to know. He’ll learn quickly, and earn the respect of your people. He’s a true Nevandian, and they are his people, too. These are his hills and valleys, also. He’ll end this war and bring peace back to these lands.”
“If this ever got out . . .” began Vorae.
“Are you loyal to Nevandia?” Marai asked, causing the man to jump. She then scrutinized Fenir and Holfast. “Do you care about your country? Well, so do we. I don’t believe anyone in this room would jeopardize Nevandia. You’ve kept your own vile secrets for twenty-two years. I think we all can be trusted to keep this secret, as well, if it means saving the kingdom.”
Holfast smoothly took his seat again at the table. He gestured for Ruenen and Marai to take theirs. Marai moved first, sitting for the first time, and waited for Ruenen to lower himself into the chair. Marai had stepped out of the role of bodyguard. Here she was, a faerie female, sitting down at a council table, making deals with powerful men.
“If we decide to accept Ruenen as our king, there’s still a war to be won. How exactly do you plan to end it?” asked Holfast.
Ruenen, stunned into silence, bit his lower lip as he watched Marai think.
Ruen will be our Ruin . . .
Marai knew what must be done. It was obvious, clear as day, because Keshel had already seen it. He’d already given her the answer.
Rayghast had magic. The way to defeat him was with magic.
Tacorn was tightly knitted to Varana. At Rayghast’s command, Varana would join the war, and their combined forces would easily decimate the Nevandian army. They needed more soldiers. They needed help. But Marai knew the close-minded humans at the Witan table wouldn’t be pleased to hear her idea.
“I have powers that will be immensely useful on the battlefield,” Marai said. “But I alone am not enough to match the power of Tacorn and Varana . . .”
“Marai—” said Ruenen, reaching for her hand.
She moved out of his reach and met Holfast’s gaze. “There are six other part-fae. Several of them are great warriors.”
Marai knew the words were a betrayal. She remembered Keshel’s warning: Ruenen would be the downfall of their way of life. But that way of life wasn’t sustainable, it wasn’t living. Maybe what Keshel had really seen was for the fae to abandon their solitary life hiding in that cave. Maybe they were meant to come to Nevandia, to begin anew somewhere else.
“Why would part-fae want to help us?” asked Holfast. “I cannot imagine they feel too friendly towards any humans, nonetheless Nevandians.” But Marai sensed the Steward was genuinely interested in the idea. His eyes were brighter, he sat up straighter. He saw its merits.
“What makes you think we would ever want your help? You’re all abominations,” said Fenir.
“One more nasty word from you, and my fist will meet your face,” snapped Ruenen.
Fenir shrunk down in his chair. There was no one in the room to protect him.
“Marai can kill you all before the guards make it to this table. Perhaps you’d best consider utilizing her skills against Tacorn, and not make us your enemies.” Ruenen’s face was severe, eyes flaring with fury.
“I think my people would be willing to help in exchange for something,” Marai said to Holfast after the room settled.
“What might that be?” The Lord Steward raised an eyebrow, lacing his fingers again.
“A home.” If her people were guaranteed a home, a place where they could live and feel safe, Marai knew they would risk coming to Nevandia. “And security. A guarantee that no Nevandians would ever harm them. That they could live on these lands and love them as their own.”
“That’s preposterous,” Fenir huffed.
“Impossible,” shouted Vorae. “How can we trust that you and your people won’t kill us all?”
“We don’t want to live in hiding anymore. We want a place to make a home. If you give us that, my people will fight loyally for Nevandia. If you require written assurances, fine, as long as you provide the same for our protection.”
Holfast pursed his lips as he thought. “Seven fae will not be enough to break against the tide of Tacorn and Varanese forces.”
Marai was aware of this. Magic would certainly help, be an added strength in the army, but the enemy’s numbers were too many. The fae would drain their magic before Marai had a chance to square off against Rayghast.
Ruenen sucked in a breath, capturing everyone’s attention. “What if we ask the North?”
“Do you have a relationship with King Maes of Grelta?” asked Holfast, face brightening.
“We don’t, not exactly,” Ruenen said with a sideways glance at Marai.
Then it hit her: Nosficio. Her mouth twisted cynically. That would be putting a fair amount of trust in a vampire.
“Everyone knows Queen Nieve truly rules the kingdom,” continued Ruenen. The color had returned to his face, along with his confidence. “We should arrange a meeting with her.”
“Grelta has no reason to ally with us. They’ve thus far remained neutral,” Holfast said.
“Rayghast won’t be satisfied once he takes Nevandia. He already has Varana in his pocket, and with Nevandia’s combined forces, he’ll have the strength to attack any kingdom he chooses. The North, with its proximity to Tacorn, expansive lands and resources, may well be Rayghast’s next target. He’s been sending troops there for months, scouting and pillaging.”
It was a valid point. If anyone was to ally itself with Nevandia, Queen Nieve of Grelta might be the best choice: an unconventional female ruler. And her relationship with Nosficio, no matter how bizarre, might help broker the meeting suggested by Ruenen.
