The Raven and the Wraith Book 2 (Completed!)

The Raven and the Wraith 2 Chapter 36

The Raven and the Wraith 2 Chapter 36

"I'm not the smartest person ever, but I'm thinking that doesn't sound good. You still so sure you want me as the Prince?"

Talia didn't even look at me. She was scanning this group that had just challenged her. Sizing them up, studying their positions, stances, and body structure. I knew she was preparing to fight all seven of them at once, I had seen that look in warriors eyes before.

"I am Talia, thirteenth Queen, and as all of my family before me, I have Blended with my Kahlraugh. You and your followers are nothing but warm meat to me." Talia snarled.

It was a darkly wretched snarl, rippling with twin tones, her voice and that of her Kahlraugh, and I felt the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. I expected the seven challengers to back down, or at least flinch from that grinding threat. They didn't move.

"We seven are Bonded. You will fight us all, as one. Tomorrow morning, in the central courtyard." The lead Cha'el spun and walked away, the other six moving after him in uncanny, perfectly synchronized motion.

"See? I'm not even Prince yet and I'm already causing trouble."

Talia didn't seem amused. "This is the first time in recorded history that the throne has had no clear heir. It's to be expected that I would be challenged. They covered their faces, but I know those seven. They are my elite guard. The best of the best. I trained them personally."

"Loyalty isn't a thing here?"

"They are loyal to the kingdom first. Loyal enough to risk death, for the greater good."

I studied her. She seemed proud, even though she had just had her life unquestionably threatened. I could see it in her, she felt like those seven were her children. Her very powerful, very capable children, who just happened to be ready to kill her.

"You don't have to kill them, because of me. Tell the seven that I've refused to be Prince, and that you'll adopt one of them to be heir. They certainly seem strong enough for the role."

Talia opened her mouth, her eyes flashing, then seemed to catch herself. "You're worried about me? Worried what it will do to me, having to kill those seven who I'm close with?"

I shrugged, uncomfortable with having such a frank discussion in front of so many I didn't know. Talia's eyes warmed, and she sent me bright smile.

"You are so much like Kavik. You'll fight to the very end for what you believe in, but you'll give up whatever you must, to help another in a difficult spot."

"That's a good description of Kavik." Luna said.

"I just can see what's right and what's wrong." I said.

Luna leaned towards me, her black skin seeming to glow with its own, inner light. "And you think abandoning us to a bitter war with the Kahlraugh is the right thing to do?"

Being accused of abandoning somebody raked at me harder and deeper than it realistically should have. I knew, deep inside, it was because I had felt completely abandoned twice in my life. But that knowledge did little to quell my instant fury.

"You Cha'el abandoned all hope first! Kavik died and you gave up. Or do I have it wrong? Tell me now did any of you even once try to think of a solution? What would you have done if I hadn't come along? Simply wallow in despair until the war?!"

I saw the immediate anger in both Luna and Talia. But then I saw both of them pause and consider my words.

"You're right. We did just give up, which is not our way. But then again, we've never been in a situation where there was no heir to the throne, either. You seemed like the perfect answer. And you're still the right answer."

Talia's sincerity, her ability to so simply, directly admit that they had given up, was unlike any of the nobility I had ever met. In fact, I was convinced nobles from my realm would rather have their fingernails slowly pulled off than admit they were wrong.

"Ok, so what happens if they kill you? I'm next?"

By her expression, I could tell Talia hadn't considered that she might lose, and that she was irritated that I even suggested it.

"There's no chance they could kill me. Do not worry."

"I think there's at least some chance. Otherwise they wouldn't have dared to challenge you. And I tend to always worry when my life is potentially threatened. Strangely enough."

I saw Luna hide a grin at that, and Talia looked like she was ready to chew on rocks.

"We will announce your wedding to Luna tomorrow, after the challenge. You are Kaviks other half, you must take his place."

I bared my teeth at her. Her iron tone, her direct order, made me want to leap across the table at her.

"And what happens in your perfect little world if I join the seven tomorrow?"

A chorus of gasps and angry growls echoed around the table. Next to me, I could feel Luna staring at me. I risked looking away from Talia for a quick second to see how Luna was reacting. She was grinning hugely at me!

"And what happens, how did he put it? "In your pretty world" if I stand with him, along with the seven, in tomorrow's challenge?" She asked Talia.

This time, it was a howl of outrage and fury that echoed around the table. Luna and I didn't take our eyes off of Talia. Both of us knew we could very well be fighting for our lives in the next few seconds.