He gave me a sad smile. “I’m useless with a missing arm and leg anyway, man.”
My brows knitted together. “Don’t say that. I’m not letting anything happen to you.”
He looked down at Elowen and ran his hand lightly over her pink hair. “And I’m not letting anything happen to her.”
I chuckled as I lowered my crossed leg, causing Edmund to frown at me.
“You know,” I said quietly, peering over my shoulder, then looking back to Edmund, “the Mages may have something I need.”
Edmund's frown deepened. “Are you suggesting you have a plan?”
“Not yet. But I am attempting to devise one.” I ran my hand through my hair. “Lena said she won’t leave unless I let go of everyone.”
“Wait…you talked to their Supreme about this? Why?”
I leaned forward in the chair, resting my elbows on my knees. “I suppose it didn’t feel right leading her to execution when she saved my life as well.”
Edmund’s green eyes shot wide, and I told him what Lena had done before I nearly lost my head.
“That’s crazy, man. I can’t understand why one of them would stop your death…even mine is a surprise. But you?” He winced. "No offense.”
I nodded. I knew if it had been any other Mage, I would have been dead without a second thought.
Any other Mage would've been dead, too. Because I wouldn't have hesitated.
Edmund continued quietly, “I have a feeling you would say the same thing, though, if you were in her position.”
He wasn’t wrong. I would never leave without my men, sacrificing them while running away like a coward.
I sighed once more and leaned back in the chair. “It won’t be easy sneaking out nearly a hundred people,” I muttered.
Edmund's eyebrows raised. “It sounds like you’re actually considering it.”
“I suppose I am,” I said with a half-smile that quickly faded. Elowen stirred but still remained asleep.
“If we had the support of the Mages…if the sources are true, and there are more of them out there, I could perhaps have the numbers to overthrow my father.”
Edmund’s eyes bulged. “What?” he whispered incredulously.
“I have considered it for a long time. I only trust you and Hendry, and we alone wouldn’t stand a chance. But these Mages are powerful, and if we had higher numbers…if we spoke to the independent kingdoms that have resisted Otacia’s control—”
“What you’re saying is treason,” he whispered.
“Would you support me?”
He looked down at Elowen. “You know I would. I’ll always be on your side.” He resumed caressing her face. “I just don’t understand your sudden change of heart. You’ve hated them as much as your father…you’venevershown mercy. Not since we were young, anyway.” He gave me a wary glance. “Did Lena saving you really affect you this much?”
I contemplated his question. “It just showed me that perhaps I have placed my anguish in the wrong direction. You know I have always hated my father.”
“As have I,” he muttered. Edmund never enjoyed killing. His older brother was a prime soldier, and he joined our army because he aspired to be just like him. Even though his brother was killed by a Mage that he was attempting to capture, Edmund never felt hatred as I had. As my father had.
I nodded to him and, really, to myself. “I’ll need to speak with Hendry. And then with Lena.” I stood up and brushed my pants. I paused with my hand on the doorknob when Edmund spoke again.
“Silas?” he said, and I turned my head towards him. “Thank you for hearing me out.” He gave me a soft smile. “I’ve dreamt of the day you become King. It will be a great day for Otacia indeed.”
Chapter Forty-Three
LENA
