🔥 The Path of Fire (Path of Light and Fire Book #1)(Completed) 🔥

Chapter 31.3: You Have a Deal

Leena put the rest together. "She was in the carriage with Ira."

Alaina nodded and cried. "Every day I snuck away to see her and she hasn't so much as blinked. I don't want to lose her, but-"

"Don't say it," Leena interrupted. She jumped out of her bath and pulled her into an embrace. "I thought my brother dead for years and yet he's walking around, protecting kings and whatnot. Have faith. Schewa wouldn't have saved her to take her from you again. He needs you and he freaking owes you that much."

Alaina nodded her head on Leena's chest, but didn't say anymore.

Leena stroked Alaina's hair and whispered soothing words. Ira was right to have her keep this secret and now she felt like horse manure for prying.

At least Alaina could share it with Leena now. Leena knew from experience that would help.

*********

The clothes Ira provided for her were absurd. Like, hero novel absurd.

After Alaina calmed and the bath attendants finished their work, Ira's outfits arrived. Leena's consisted of a pair of sky blue tights, which matched Wade's new sheath. The massive of legs and arms of something Ira called a hydra splayed in black on each side. The black shirt, if you could call it a shirt, left her midriff out and her tits secure while on the edge of falling out.

Alaina's outfit, on the other hand, was quite understated. She wore a solid, billowing white dress, with a dove imprinted on the back in a darker off white.

I feel like she's screwing with me.

Her outfit's saving grace was a coat that covered her stomach and billowed behind her legs. The inverted color scheme of a blue hydra on a black background was tacky, but at least she wasn't half-naked in the end.

The Yuan throne room was gorgeous; emeralds, rubies and amber gemstones embedded into the smaller throne. It was littered with silk cushions. The second throne was pure stone and looked as if it had been carved into the spot.

Leena and Alaina stood as Ira instructed with their hands clasped behind their backs. They awaited the entrance of the King and Queen of Yua.

Behind the chairs stood five women so beautiful they would have given Fatima an honest challenge.

"The king's harem," Ira whispered. She stood to Leena's right and Alaina to her left.

The woman of the harem stepped forward. She wore a low-cut white dress that stopped at her thighs. Yet somehow she was the most modest of the quintet.

In a voice that carried without being a yell, White Dress announced her sovereigns' arrival.

"Stand for King Yua and Queen Djènèba!"

A man and woman walked across the dais hand in hand. The Queen looked near her own age, even though she had to have been at least forty to have birthed both Yulan and Sabin. Her dress was a yellow that seemed to harnessed the sun's light in her fabric.

The king dressed like Yulan. He wore a leather loincloth with brightly colored plumes that jutted from each side. The imprint of a phoenix displayed on his chest.

Lines creases lined his brow and his hair had gone to gray. However, his body was still solid muscle. Every line of his abs was defined as he sat upon his throne.

He whispered into the Queen's ear and she spoke. "Seriens, Yua is honored to have you grace his presence. What would you have of him?"

Leena mimed whispering, but Ira knew what they wanted. The mummer's dance was unnecessary, but something she let them know of in advance.

"The Seriens ask that Yua withdraw his forces before they strike Hruh," Ira said.

Djènèba smiled as Yua whispered into her ear again. "Putting aside the question of how you learned of such a thing, please explain to us how such an internal matter concerns the Seriens."

"Because the Seriens believe this is a ploy to leave our borders weakened and open for Guan invasion."

"Do you have any evidence of such a claim?"

"Since when do the Seriens need to provide evidence?"

"Since I only see two and neither holds Wade."

Leena pulled the dagger from her belt and handed it to Ira. She presented it to the King and Queen. "This is Wade."

"Wade is a sword."

"Wade adapts to the leader and that is Leena."

"What of Yusabin?" King Yua. "You told me he was to be a Serien. It is the only reason I held my blade from his throat. Why is he not here now?"

That was generous of you. Not killing your son and all.

"He is preoccupied at the moment," Ira said.

"It warms my heart to hear he still lives. Go fetch him for me, Ira."

Well if he can break this stupid ritual, so can I.

"It's not that simple," Leena said.

The room gave a collective gasp.

Well, fuck.

King Yua gripped the arms of his stone throne and his eyes leaked fire. "You come to the heart of my kingdom and ask me a favor, but are unwilling to provide me with my son?"

The one you just mentioned killing?

"I will pass along the message that you would like to see him," Leena said. "But I do not command him."

"You are the leader, yes?"

"I will go fetch him as you command," Ira interrupted. She tapped her heart and head and then bowed. "It will take some time and effort."

"Thank you, Ira," King Yua said. "There is no rush. Let him take care of whatever he needs. And to you Hydra, I will do as you ask and withdraw my army. Some will be out of contact, so you will need to stop them yourself. Kadi?"

"Yes, sire?" White Dress asked.

"Write Hydra the letter on my behalf. That combined with Yusabin's presence should stop them. I am giving them to you on one condition."

"What is that?" Leena asked. She assumed that he meant her given the ridiculous getup.

"You convince Yusabin to take the throne. Tell him that he is the true Reincarnation of Yua with Yulan dead. And if Yulan is found alive he is fagon, we will finish the job he started as an act of goodwill."

This man is willing to kill both his sons. It surprised her more than she thought it should after the nonchalance with which he discussed offing baby Sabin. Something was not right with this man.

There was no negotiation in the King's eyes. Either Leena was going to avoid a war by handing over Sabin, or she was going to stick to her morals and tell Yua to kick stones. She shook her head. That was a ridiculous notion. She made the easy choice, one she was sure Sabin would make if he were here.

"Yua, you have a deal."