With winter fast approaching, the loss of those crucial supplies could mean starvation for many.
“Who is behind it?” I ask.
Jasce’s jaw works. “Rebels and sympathizers from House of Silver. The possibilities are endless.”
I close my eyes, sorrow welling up inside me. Of course, my people would be blamed, whether justly or not.
“You say the possibilities are endless, but what do you actually know?”
A frustrated breath escapes him as he rakes a hand through his dark hair. “No one saw who set the fire, but my men found traces of silver powder at the scene.”
Silver powder is used in some House of Silver magical rituals, but it has plenty of mundane uses too. “Silver powder is common enough. It could have been anyone.”
Anger flares in Jasce’s eyes. “Who else would dare attack us so brashly, if not your people?”
My chest aches at the way Jasce said your people.
“Maybe,” I begin, “those responsible wish for you to make assumptions. To cast blame without evidence.”
Jasce shakes his head. “Do you honestly think this has nothing to do with House of Silver?”
“I’m saying nothing is ever that simple. But it’s easier for you to scapegoat us than look within your own walls.”
Jasce moves to the window and braces his hands against the frame. “I am looking within my own walls. I believe that House of Silver is helping stoke the flame of civil unrest that is growing in Sharhavva.”
I move to stand next to him and stare out into the garden below the window. “You said Asha wouldn’t attack this city if I married you.”
“I was wrong.”
I swallow through the pain of his words. “Silver powder doesn’t automatically me—”
He raises his hand, silencing me. “I am not a fool, Annora. I have more proof than silver powder.”
“What kind of proof?”
Jasce pulls a folded piece of parchment from his cloak and hands it to me. “This missive arrived from Asha this morning.”
Trepidation creeps up my spine as I stare down at the parchment and slowly open it. The script is bold, unmistakably Asha’s, each word a lash from her quill.
You have stolen my sister from me, and now I will take everything from you. Your crown will be a circlet of ash upon your brow, a mocking emblem of the ruin I shall bring upon your reign. No force in this world can shield you from the vengeance that burns within me.
I will scorch the very earth you walk upon, leaving nothing but smoldering embers in my wake, until all that remains of your empire is the bitter taste of soot and regret. Prepare yourself, for I will stop at nothing to destroy you, to watch as your kingdom crumbles to dust beneath the relentless fury of my retribution.
I rip my gaze away and allow the parchment to fall from my grip. Trembles overtake me as I look away from Jasce and take a deep, shuddering breath, trying desperately to calm the nerves twisting in my stomach.
The words in her missive are not the hurt, angry words of a loving sister; they are an edict to annihilate an entire kingdom of people.
I have always known that Asha was ambitious, but now I see I underestimated Grandfather’s influence on her and her hatred for House of Crimson.
And instead of giving her a reason to make peace, I fear my union with Jasce will be the flint she strikes with her sword to engulf our houses in flames.
“I told you our marriage would invite war,” I say through numb lips.
Jasce leans down and picks up the letter, folds it neatly, and places it back into his cloak, his movements far calmer than the maelstrom building inside me. I envy his composure even as I resent it. “Asha is angry right now, but I still believe that we can find a path to peace.”
I let out a bitter laugh, the sound grating against the tightness in my chest. “No, Jasce. I know how fiercely determined she can be when she decides on a path. She was tutored in war by my grandfather. And she believes, as he did, that silver was meant to be the ruling house. If Hakan wouldn’t lay down his sword for peace between our houses, she will not lay down hers.” I shake my head, blinking back the sting of tears. “Our marriage was a mistake.”
A muscle clenches in Jasce’s jaw. “Don’t say that.”
