Chapter 48 The Truth About Caldara

Chapter 48 The Truth About Caldara
Fiona

None of us moves. Lucian’s sister sneers at me and goes pale. The suggestion of his being killed seems to unnerve her, and it should, especially if her brother fails at his little coup and drags half the continent into Varek’s bloody path. I watch Varek's expression, the way it hardens and sharpens as he looks at me. His jaw flexes, his wolf pressing close to the surface, and for a moment I think he’ll bare his teeth at me. Instead, he snaps his head toward Lucian’s sister.

“Back to the hall.”

Lucian’s sister blinks. “But—”

“Now,” he says, his voice heavy and sharp with a compulsion.

His power coils through the air. Her resistance snaps. She bows her head and turns stiffly on her heel, retreating back to the hall. She casts a hot glare at me as she passes, but she's smart enough to avoid bumping into me.

Varek doesn’t even watch her go. He crosses the space between us in a few, quick strides. His hand clamps around my arm, and he drags me farther down the corridor. I don’t resist because we don’t have time for it, and his grip isn’t bruising, exactly. The chill of the stone seeping from the walls grows sharper until he throws open a heavy door down the corridor. Cold night air rushes over us as we step onto a secluded balcony that looks out over the mountain castle facing the forest. The wind howls around us. The clouds part, and moonlight spills over the snowbound peaks. The air is sharp, biting. He releases me but stays close. His gaze burns, waiting.

“You’re not going to like what I have to say,” I say. “But I need you to be cruel, cold, and calculating Alpha King of Caldara, not the Varek who hates me, for a minute and listen. Can you do that?”

He narrows his eyes, but he doesn’t speak. It’s the best I can ask for.

“Do you want to know what happens to women who marry into Hyath's royal family? They're bought, impregnated, and killed if they don't birth a son."

His jaw works, but he doesn’t interrupt. "What is your point?"

“I'm getting to it. Your commander slipped off with the king of Hyath while you were gone. I don’t think they were talking about the weather since the king hasn’t come back yet, nor have several others. None of them means Caldara any good. And you weren't looking, but Lucian looked furious when you started shopping his sister around. He fucking hates you.”

Varek’s arms cross over his chest, a wall of muscle and pride. His eyes are ice. “Lucian has fought beside me since he was old enough to join the army. He is my kin. You expect me to believe he’s plotting against me  because you saw him scowl?”

My temper flares, but I keep my voice low, sharp. “I expect you to think and open your eyes to the situation you've put yourself in." He snarls, but I press on before he can speak. “I said he fucking hates you. He didn’t scowl. It wasn’t a glare. I’m talking pure, seething rage. You’ve seen enough battles. Having the man at your back look at you like that is betrayal waiting to happen.”

“Lucian—”

“Not to mention, my father is here trying to marry off my sister to have leverage against you because you attacked Solara—"

"In retaliation."

I stop, staring up at him. "What?"

He smirks. "What? You didn't know that your dear father stole that land from Caldara?" He laughs. "He stole it for wealth he didn’t even use. The wealth in those mines would have saved him.”

I swallow, and the realization hits me cold and hard. My father knew exactly what he was giving up in that stupid contract. He knows the land is useless, but me? Was his plan always to get me to Caldara? I look up at Varek. It couldn’t have been to get me in front of Varek, but for this night he knew would come when Caldara started declining in a way that could no longer be covered up. 

He knew Varek would host a night like this when his enemies, his allies, and everyone in between might show up in Caldara. I think of Varek's plan for me and the state of Caldara's people. The time when Caldara runs out of food and supplies is nearer than he thought it was, and even if not, Caldara had to be internally weak enough that Lucian felt comfortable striking tonight. 

I think of Liora's odd resistance and desire for simple luxuries; she knew the sacrifice her sister made by marrying Dante's cousin for Caldara’s sake. Cara’s disdain for Varek is clear, but she had to have come with the intention of making another bargain for Caldara now that Dante was in control of the ports. Dante wouldn’t care if Caldara starved within a month. Did she think Dante and Liora were a good match or just that Dante could bring Varek to heel?

Maybe she just thought he would see in time? How much had the incident with Cara actually cost him personally? I thought he was cruel. I thought he was just cold-hearted, but the more I think about it, the clearer it is that he's just desperate to protect his people. He's powerful, and despite all of his strength, he can't make more food.

I look into Varek’s eyes, past the anger and the stubbornness. There is a darkness in his eyes that screams of exhaustion. How many nights had he been up, anxious about the survival of his kingdom, scheming to secure one more month of supplies?

He had to know. As much as it may destroy him, as much as the betrayal may hurt, I can't let him just fall prey to this plan. We’re all in this trap together, so I had to tell him the truth.

"The land is worthless."

He blinked. "What?"

"The land you got in that treaty is useless. It can't even sustain crops, Varek. You dragged your army all the way to Solara to storm the castle for me, and a piece of land you were better off without."

"My people—"

"People who were already dead," I cut in. "Sentimentality doesn't serve you, and you're not the type. Kittens or not—"

"Kittens, what—"

"You didn't ask for gold or food, supplies, or anything useful by way of restitution. You took back land with people that you have to deploy men to guard and survey, but mines are quick money, right? Isn’t that what you took in all your other conquests? Who told you those parcels of land were worth anything?"

He set his jaw. "Yes. They're all mines."

"How much of your army and your citizens have you sent from your main cities to mine? Have you mined anything? Do you have anything to show for it?"

"You're asking me to question the loyalty of my commander."

"I'm asking you to think!" I scream. "Tell me that all of this hasn't been a setup to spread the Caldaran army thin. Tell me you've found even a piece of gemstone in those mines.”

Doubt flickers in his gaze. His brows draw tight, the muscles in his jaw ticking. He doesn’t want to admit it. He can’t, not yet. He lifts his chin.

"The knowledge that there are moonstones in those mines predated Solara's attack."

I scoff. "Do they predate me and Elara?"

His eyes widen. He turns away, but I know the answer. They didn't. I know that a little after I was born, Varek became king of Caldara.

"The same rumors you heard, he would have heard, too. He attacked out of greed, I'm sure, and learned to regret it, but he knew once he attacked, you or your father wouldn't let it go…It was you who expanded Caldara's army and pushed for conquest. I understand you went for what was quick, and I'm sure Lucian made some deal to make it seem like the conquest is working to support Caldara, but has anything actually gotten better? Year after year? Have people just left rather than starve? Your deal for Cara—"

He hisses, turning on me. "Cara is the last person you should mention. She's not even shown a fraction of the loyalty Lucian has."

"What reason have you given her to show you loyalty?" I ask. "And as far as I'm concerned, the fact that she didn't run away with her lover rather than marry tells me she's sacrificed a hell of a lot more for Caldara than you care to admit."

He jerks his head back, takes a step, and freezes as if the thought never crossed his mind that she could have run away. That she could have long before she got pregnant. I growl.

"You short-sighted—" I huff, looking away. "None of that matters."

"What do you get out of telling me all this?" He asks. "You—"

“Oh, get over yourself!” I yell. The words echo into the mountain air. “Not everything is some plot against you. I am trying to get through the night, not dead!” I shove at his chest, but he doesn’t budge. “And maybe, I don't want Liora and everyone else, including you, to end up dead!" I shove him again, and he stumbles this time. "And for the record, it wouldn't kill you to admit that you regret this stupid plan, when you so clearly want me for yourself.”