House of Shadows (Royal Houses 2)

“Come forward.”

Mei did as he’d said and stopped before the table. All eyes were on her now. She wasn’t timid, but there were no right answers here. Only problems.

“You are the ambassador to the Dark Court?”

Mei cringed. “Tribe Charbonnet,” she countered. “Or if you must… the House of Shadows.”

The Dark Court was what the Society had decided to call her court for disagreeing with how humans and half-Fae were treated within. They weren’t perfect, but it wasn’t like the Society treated them any different. And a civil war wasn’t exactly improving the conflict between Fae and the others.

Master Roan waved his hand dismissively. They were the enemy. He would call them whatever he chose.

“Point out the entrances to Ravinia Mountain.”

Mei blinked and then narrowed her eyes. “Why?”

“That isn’t your concern.”

“I think it is.”

Trulian stepped forward, clearing his throat. “I think explaining the tactical advantage to her would be helpful, Commander.”

Master Roan nodded at Trulian. A man, so thus someone he saw as an equal. Oh, how far the Society had to go.

“The war has dragged on long enough. If we can seal off the mountain, how long do you think it’ll take for the bastards to starve?”

Mei didn’t let shock show on her face. No, she was from Charbonnet after all. She would reveal nothing to these people. Only cold, hard fury.

“The stores are nearly boundless. A couple hundred years at least,” she said with confidence. “If they don’t dig themselves out before then.”

Roan nodded. “Then, it’s settled,” he ground out. “Dismissed.”

Settled. It was settled. What did that mean?

“What is settled, sir?”

He met her gaze. “If sealing them away won’t work, then we’ll bring the mountain down on them.” He said it with not one ounce of remorse. This was war. He made decisions about who lived and who died. And today, he was condemning the lives of her people.

“There are civilians in the mountain, sir. Women and children,” she said levelly. She knew he wouldn’t respond to hysterics despite how she felt.

“All the better to end the war sooner by destroying their escape route.” Roan raised his eyebrow, as if waiting for her to object.

Trulian intervened. “I’ll escort the ambassador out.”

“See that you do. And keep her quiet, Master Trulian.”

Mei turned on her heel and stalked out of the tent. She knew what “keep her quiet” meant. Roan wanted her put down in a shallow grave. What would that mean for Zahina? She’d joined this ridiculous Society as well. Despite her best interest.

“Mei…” Trulian began.

“Don’t say it, Tru,” she barked. She continued forward, stomping through the mud. “I’m going to talk to Zina, and then we’re leaving.”

“I cannot abandon my people.”

Mei shook her head. “It’s a short trip.”

He sighed, but he could deny her nothing. It was how they had fallen in love in the first place. Trulian headed toward the dragons to find his beloved Androma.

Then, Mei went in search of her Zahina, tramping through the dirty war camp. She was in mud up to her ankles and wanted nothing more than to rid herself of this place. Nothing had gone as planned. No one would listen. Ten long years, they’d been at war with no end in sight until tonight. Tonight, the war could end.

It would end with the genocide of her people.

She brushed a hand back through her hair. She wouldn’t even be here if it wasn’t for her daughter. She had joined up like the rest of the youth who thought they could make a difference and had no idea of what war was actually like. So self-righteous and certain that they were going to change the world.

Fae should have been slow to go to war and quick to retreat. Their long lives afforded them space to see reason. But no one would see reason.

The tent flap shoved open before Mei could do so. Her daughter stepped out. They were nearly the same height with the same black hair and dark brown eyes. She had none of her father in her. Only twenty turns of the sun and dragon bound. How had she failed her so completely?

“What do you want, Mother?” her daughter sneered.

“You know why I’m here.”

“I won’t go with you. You’re a coward.”

Mei winced. The words hit hard despite the youth in them. She didn’t know what Mei had sacrificed for her.

“You have no idea what you speak of.”

“I know that I’m here to help us win this war against those barbarians. What are you doing, Mother?”

Mei clenched her hands into fists. She wouldn’t rise to the insult. Zahina would never admit to having a mother from tribe Charbonnet. “Please, come with me.”

“Where? Where are you running off to? How dare you run away from your obligation to the Society.”

“I have no obligation to the Society,” she snarled. “The Society only cares for itself.”