Chapter 23

T he imposing doors of the Queen’s tent at KySyene swung open, revealing the opulent throne room’s awe-inspiring grandeur.

Three men strode in; the massive draft they created billowed over the incense candles and threw up a heady scent mixed with the fragrance of flowers.

At the far end of the hall, Liana sat upon her royal seat, her crimson kríffin energy crackling around her like a diaphanous flame.

Wary, she observed the triad with a narrowed gaze.

So, too, did the elders of the Ilki Council who flanked her, faces solemn, expressions reflecting skepticism as they scrutinized the approaching group.

The man at the center of the trio, the Kíríga of Katánē, moved with regal grace, his every step a testament to his commanding presence.

His power-driven strides in a full ceremonial Katánian suit left no doubt of his warrior essence, his muscles framed by his gray, black, and gold piped and starched livery.

He wore a matching gilded helmet with a sweeping silver and gilded krest worn bound at the top.

In his hand was the mighty khubasa sword, polished, sharpened, shimmering with a primordial glow.

With a calm authority that belied her beating heart, Liana leaned forward, her grip tightening on the armrests of her seat, wondering what the King of Katánē and his entourage were up to, even as they strode closer to her throne.

When they’d sent an emissary the day before requesting an audience with her, her hackles had risen and remained bristling since.

The elder had taken umbrage when she’d informed K’Lita of the request. ‘We can’t trust the Katánians. How do we not know if the K?str?ls are in play with their King and if this is another ploy to undermine us?’

Liana had tried to soothe her fears, calling out Kaxim’s support.

K’Lita had sucked her teeth. It’d been hard enough for the Council of Elders to accept the menacing Commander.

Worse, the regal King striding before them was the grandson of Ilkan’s greatest enemy decades ago.

Also, his army’s might in the present age was something to behold and fear.

Their reluctance and trepidation were well-founded.

Kione, lean, towering, and handsome, strode to Killen’s left. He was resplendent in a krest of deep sable that contrasted his close-shorn silver hair.

All three men sported long flowing capes made of chrome plumage that concealed razor-like edges sharp enough to slice a man in two.

They also acted as impromptu shields able to block sword and mace blows in the case of an ambush.

However, it was the warrior prowling to the Katánian King’s right who caused Liana’s soul to jolt.

Her heart pounded as her eyes raked over the King’s First Armorer, hoping her longing and desire for him was not spilling.

Still, desire ratcheted through her at the sight of his muscled, tight-as-fokk body in a ceremonial suit, topped with a gold and silver plumed krest . A sāb?r blade tucked into his belt and glinted in the sunlight streaming through the high windows, his entire countenance of might and prowess.

They hadn’t spoken or seen each other since he rejected her touch, and the silence still ate away at her.

She dragged her eyes from him and focused instead on the Kíríga, who approached and acknowledged her with a deep bow over her scepter hand.

His gesture also extended to the elder council, showing due respect to the governing body of the realm.

Straightening up, the King’s eyes met Liana’s, assessing her even as his hawkstone pulsed over her.

‘You are welcome in my council, Kíríga . Please have your say,’ she murmured.

‘Your Majesty, esteemed councilors,’ he began.

His grave, solemn rumble resonated in the vast chamber. ‘I come before you today with a proposal that promises lasting peace and prosperity for our two nations. A union that will fortify our military strength and political partnership.’

Liana’s head tilted, intrigued yet cautious. ‘Speak plainly, Your Highness. What kind of coalition do you propose?’

The King’s gaze flickered to his First Commander, who stood at his side, his posture as rigid as steel.

Murmurs rippled through the tent, the elders exchanging glances.

Liana braced herself.

‘An alliance to strengthen both our kingdoms against the threat of KaKos and his army and a means to seal that treaty.’

His eyes shifted to Liana. ‘ Through marriage.’

Her heart missed a beat as she stared at the Kíríga, perplexed. ‘Marriage? Of whom, and to Whom?’

‘I propose matrimony,’ the King declared, ‘between my Commander, the General of Katánē’s armies, and you, Your Majesty.’

Liana’s world whirled around her, and she clutched the throne for dear life to avoid falling.

Killen went on, undaunted. ‘Your master trainer has proven his loyalty to you as he has to me as my First Armorer. A mighty warrior and a superb asset to the Katánian and now Ilki people.’

Liana’s entire body lurched.

Her eyes widened, her cheeks flushed with a rosy hue, and her mouth was dry as a murmur of shock rippled through the room at the unexpected proposal.

Taking deep inhales, she composed herself, rearranging her face into an unruffled mask. She kept collected and expressionless, not wanting to reveal her true feelings, which coalesced into fevered dread and a burst of elation.

She shifted her gaze to the Commander, keen to assess his take on all this. He met her eyes with an unreadable, distant expression.

Yet, beneath the surface, a spark of recognition, a silent acknowledgment of their wild, unbidden mutual attraction, passed between them.

But in the presence of the council, both remained stoic.

Liana turned to the imposing and towering Katánian Kíríga , meeting his eye in a necessary challenge, for she would not be seen to fold without a fight. ‘You overstep, Your Highness. Such decisions are not taken lightly.’

‘ Nada , but they must be made with swiftness,’ Killen countered. ‘KaKos will not wait while you deliberate. By uniting Ilkan and Katánē, we double our strength against him.’

Her heartbeat thumped in Liana’s ears, drowning out the King’s utterance as he continued to speak.

Her gown rustled as she fidgeted, trying to stay composed despite her overwhelming emotions.

Marriage to Kaxim seemed an impossible fate, yet was this not a chance to save her people? To forge a mighty alliance in the face of their greatest enemy?

She clenched her fists, steeling herself. No sacrifice was too immense for Ilkan. Not even her dreams.

Liana broke the silence. ‘This is an unexpected proposal. What say you, Commander? What are the military and strategic benefits of such a union?’

Kaxim turned to face her, giving her a sharp bow.

While he did, she engaged their neural soul bond.

Do you agree to this? she asked, her heart beating so fast, its rhythm pounded in her ears.

Their khamana flared with heat as he clenched his jaw, a slight muscle ticking.

Do you want this? s he tried again.

He met her eyes, unflinching. I do for the sake of both our kingdoms.

Will we remain friends, Kaxim?

Always.

She sensed a more profound sentiment under his neutral words, and their gazes clashed, a wild emotion arcing between them.

Her body surged with a tumultuous mix of disbelief and joy, caught in a whirlwind of emotions. But she remained stoic, veiling her true feelings beneath a mask of composure.

Then speak.

The Kíríga’s Commanding General pursed his lips and clasped his hands behind his back, his rumble steady and authoritative. ‘Your Majesty, the marriage alliance would strengthen our defense forces and ensure a unified front against external threats. Our combined armies would be unmatched, and our nations could share resources, intelligence, and training. Such a union would secure the future of both kingdoms, making us formidable in the eyes of our enemies. It appears to be the best course of action to safeguard the union between our realms, and it’ll give you the military support you require.’

Liana’s skin prickled with goosebumps as Kaxim’s words sank in, her expression thoughtful.

She turned to her advisors, her tone commanding. ‘Councilors, we’ve heard from the Katánians. I ask you to debate this proposal. Speak of its merits and potential drawbacks.’

The council members exchanged glances, and soon, a discussion ensued.

Some praised the union, praising its strategic advantages and promising peace.

They highlighted the benefits of having a seasoned general as an ally who had already proven his loyalty and strength on the battlefield.

‘A wise suggestion,’ one elder spoke, reedy with age. ‘The Katánian army would greatly bolster our defenses.’

‘And access to the Sāb?r Hawks and their training,’ another added, stroking his grizzled beard. ‘Such a union has the potential to make Ilkan a formidable force.’

But not all were in agreement.

K’Aran rose from the rear of the tent, his black eagle wings and red eyes flashing with disdain.

He raised his voice, shouting above the others. ‘This is an outrage!’ his hiss echoing in the hall. ‘We cannot allow our Queen to be bound to a foreigner, even for the sake of an alliance! This marriage would dilute our sovereignty and our traditions! I will not stand for it!’

‘Why not?’ Killen challenged.

The enraged dark creature beat its chest. ‘I am a true Ilki, a Shadowing. We believe in maintaining the purity of the Ilkan bloodlines, the royal ones, especially given how close we came to losing it altogether. To welcome Katánian filth in the regal Ilkanisa is to spit on the legacy of our forefathers. They warred with this same very Katánians, barbarians who sought to wipe us out! We cannot yield even one inch.’

‘That was the past; behold, I present a new vision for both our peoples,’ the K írí ga countered.

‘You cannot change what you were born to be. At your rotten core, you Katánians are tyrant flycatchers, hellish goat suckers, dracula jaegers, and fokkin’ parasitic screamers!’

Liana half rose from her throne, her flashing eyes meeting K’Aran’s angered ones. At that instant, she knew if she went ahead with the marriage, they’d be hell to pay, meted out by the enraged Shadowing leader.

She met his wrath with a lift of her chin. ‘If you continue to disrupt the proceedings K’Aran, I will remove you.’

With a roar, he surged, pinions unfurled, rapier thrust toward her.

Without warning, Kaxim leaped into the air, transmuting before her eyes into the fullness of his Sāb?r Hawk glory.

The two magnificent creatures faced over the tent’s center, plumage bristling, sāb?r swords rattling.

With a hiss and loud cry, K’Aran, faced with his challenger, flapped his wings and lurched higher still.

He fled through the fabric roof of the Queen’s k?lajan , tearing an aperture in its ceiling.

He cursed and ranted as he swept away, his voice fading with a rush of air and wind as the gathered souls gasped.

The k?lajan’s íkan kicked in, and the hole closed over, even as Kaxim floated back to the ground, transmuting back to humaniform, leaving his dark, sable rachís outstretched.

The incident, from K’Aran’s outburst to Kaxim’s response, set the tent aflame with whispers, outbursts, and shouts, causing a considerable stir among the councilors.

Liana raised a hand to arrest the stirring.

‘Calm. Let us continue.’

She sat back, eyes meeting Kaxim’s, giving him a nod of thanks.

He lifted a chin, his face grim, but she sensed roiling anger at K’Aran’s disrespect playing under his stoic mask.

I’ll wring that spindle-shanked neck of his.

She snapped her eyes to Kaxim, narrowing her gaze as she locked onto his heated menace. Steady, warrior. Our fight with him is for another day.

Damn right, it is.

She turned from Kaxim, fixing her eyes on the gathering, tearing her thoughts from him. Yet a tiny smile played on her lips, warmed by his protectiveness.

With the disruption over, peace resumed in the room.

Liana focused on the ongoing Council discussion. After further deliberation, the elders nodded, acknowledging the overwhelming strategic advantages such a union would provide.

Elder K’Lita stepped forward, her face softening with understanding. ‘We know it’s a lot to ask, Liana. But you’ve seen firsthand the threat that KaKos poses. This alliance may be our only hope.’

Liana closed her eyes, images of the innocent Ilki villagers flashing through her mind. The children play in the streets, the mothers tend to their homes, and the fathers work in the fields. They didn’t deserve the horrors that KaKos would unleash upon them.

‘I’ll do it,’ she whispered, her voice growing stronger as she met her advisors’ gazes. ‘I’ll marry Kaxim.’

Liana turned her gaze back to Killen and Kaxim, her expression firm. ‘The merits of this union persuade the council,’ she said. ‘I, too, see the potential benefits for our people. If this marriage is to be the path to securing the future of our nations, then I will agree to it.’

The elders nodded, a mixture of relief and respect in their eyes. ‘You’ve shown true courage, Liana,’ K’Lita said. ‘And with this alliance, you’ll earn more than just our gratitude.’

A sense of resolution fell over the throne room.

The Commander’s expression remained impassive. Although a glint of something unreadable flickered in his eyes, even as he growled, ‘The Katánian army, led by our Sāb?r Hawks, stands ready to aid Ilkan in the face of KaKos’ looming threat.’

The King jerked his chin. ‘Then it is settled,’ Killen announced, his voice carrying a note of finality. ‘Let us commence preparations for the wedding—a union that will begin a new era for our kingdoms.’

K’Lita nodded. ‘Within the week, please. We must bolster our people’s confidence fast, and this alliance and marriage will be what they need.’

Courtiers, advisors, and councilors led by Elder K’Lita had begun to discuss the details, the air buzzing with anticipation.

‘This will be the nuptials of the century, one that will be remembered for generations to come,’ the mature advisor added, beaming.

The tightness in Liana’s chest faded. She was grateful that the dance of diplomatic delicacy, of two worlds colliding, had been conducted with respect and power, apart from K’Aran’s outburst.

The fate of her people no longer hung in the balance, as they now had a solid ally to depend on.

She turned and studied Kaxim, whose face was canted from her.

His expression was closed off, and she glanced away, unsure what he had made of it all.

She itched to rush over and ask him his truest thoughts about the proposed marriage. But it’d be poor show and even poorer etiquette for a Queen to be seen rushing after she betrothed like a desperate, needy woman.

She also didn’t dare initiate their soul bond in this formal setting in case anyone in the room was more potent than both and intercepted its connection.

She suspected that Killen, the Kíríga of Katánē, had immense abilities, which bristled in waves from the sizable jewel pulsing on his forehead.

As if reading her thoughts and sensing her questions, Kaxim turned his head to look at her and gave an imperceptible shake.

Even without their khamana flaring, they discerned each other, which blew Liana’s mind.

Thinking of it and what it portended sent a shattering of heightened feeling over her.

She clenched her jaw to control herself. She forced her focus on the wave of activity that swept through the throne room and kept her eyes averted from him.

Even when Killen approached to escort her to the dining hall, she avoided Kaxim’s contemplation. She worried her need and pining for him would leak if she immersed in his silver gaze again.