Total pages in book: 157
Estimated words: 156907 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 785(@200wpm)___ 628(@250wpm)___ 523(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 156907 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 785(@200wpm)___ 628(@250wpm)___ 523(@300wpm)
Nyx sat back and drummed her fingers on the arm of her chair, shooting daggers from her gaze wherever it landed, indicating she was not angry at any of them, just angry in general.
She had a right, with what had befallen her, and what was now lost that they all hoped would be found.
Indeed, the black was still under her eye, and Mars could not look at it for very long, or the emotion he was burying at the sight of it would rise in him as well and that would help nobody.
Mars sighed and turned back to Chu.
“I know how it started. I also know that since you left Serena behind, you have not been yourself. You have been removed to the point you’ve been withdrawn. And I know that since you left her, Princess Serena has acted honorably. We have all worked in our ways to put an end to this uprising. But outside the agent Tedrey, she is the one amongst our inner circle who has been the most in danger.”
Mars allowed Chu a moment to experience the emotion he did not hide flashing in his eyes.
Then he went on.
“She did not have to do what she did, Chu. She did not do it for peace amongst realms or diplomatic relations. She did it because she could, and it was the right thing to do. I don’t know what passed between you when you were together. But I do know what the two of you had changed from what it was when you started. And Serena having it, it changed who she was. Therefore, I encourage you,” he glanced at Silence before he moved his attention back to Chu, “strongly to consider going after her and healing this rift so you can attend her as she loses her mother.”
“This is a critical juncture with The Rising,” Chu replied.
“They have no coin, fifty-seven key operatives in two different realms have been or will soon be put out of commission, and within weeks, they will be entirely removed from Firenz soil,” Mars returned. “You can go.”
Chu said nothing.
“Chu, what I am trying to express is that you not only have my permission, you have my blessing,” Mars encouraged. “You can go.”
“And you should go,” Silence said quietly. She then twisted more fully to his Trusted. “Her mother is dying, Chu. When that happens, she will need you.”
Chu stared at Silence for but a second.
Then he rose and strode from the room.
As the door latched behind him, Silence asked, “Does that mean he’s going?”
“That means he’s going,” Mars answered.
He looked from the door to her and grinned.
She grinned back.
“My brother,” Lorenz growled.
Mars gave his attention to Lorenz.
“Faunus has a team—” he began to remind his captain.
“I wish to catch up and ride with them.”
“Your emotion is too deeply stirred,” Mars said.
“And Faunus’s isn’t?” Nyx demanded.
“Faunus is searching for his lover, and as such, his determination will be resolute,” Mars said to Nyx. “Lorenz would be hunting the man who took his friend from his home, a home this man invaded after the guard assigned to it was assassinated, in it a servant with Lorenz’s protection was murdered, also in it the wife who is his life was struck repeatedly and her life threatened. His emotion…is too deeply…stirred.”
Nyx could not argue that and didn’t.
Lorenz, however, changed tactics.
“Faunus is too young to lead such a—”
“Faunus is skilled, clever and determined,” Mars interrupted Lorenz to say. “He will bring the villain back here with your friend,” Mars promised quietly. “And when he does, that villain will be given to you to do with as you will.”
Lorenz visibly clenched his teeth.
“Faunus will find him, my brother,” Mars assured and looked to Nyx. “He will find your friend and bring him home.”
Nyx looked away, her lips thin with the effort to stop them from trembling.
“Go home, my friends, have a quiet Miet,” Mars encouraged. “For tomorrow, we have prisoners to interview and executions to plan. Chu was correct, there is much to be done to finish with this Rising. He just does not need to be here to do it.”
“And Queen Ophelia?” Lorenz asked.
“She will be a great loss,” Mars answered. “But I would wager now, with this shift in Serena, whoever she names as her successor, we will continue to enjoy good relations. Thus, if things are enough in hand, Silence and I will journey up to the Great Wohd, take it to the Seil and make Sky Bay for Elena and Cassius’s wedding, which I am certain, considering recent communications, will soon be pending.”
“And the Beast?” Lorenz persisted.
“It is my understanding we are stronger together, so to be in the Bay with Elena and Cassius, closer to True and Farah, Aramus and Ha-Lah, should he surface, we will be in a more advantageous position.”