The Broken Kingdoms of Osvolta (Kingdoms of Osvolta #1)

11. Moves and Countermoves

Chapter eleven

Moves and Countermoves

“ A messenger arrived,” Adira whispered. “Jasper has been dealing with it, but he is refusing to speak to anyone except you.” They cast her a side-long glance. “As long as you remain on this side of the bridge, you are under our protection.”

As they came to a stop beside Malik and Jasper, Solveig finally got a good look at the messenger. From the cropped hair and pinched facial features. To the copper emblem pinned to his chest, and the three silver stars atop four alternating stripes of his turquoise and gold epaulets. She recognised him instantly as her brother’s right-hand man.

“General Anik,” Solveig hissed, reaching for her dagger.

“Ms Maleen.” The general smiled, staring down at her as though she were a soldier in his command. “The king has given orders for you to return to Torrelin at the earliest opportunity. Refuse and you’ll be stripped of your titles and placed under warrant to be delivered to Luxenal for correction.”

“As Commander of North Watch.” Jasper stepped forward. “I shall respect whatever decision the Princess of Torrelin makes.” None of them had missed the general’s omission of her title. “I will judge any attempts to remove her from Farrenhold against her will, as acts of aggression and will respond in kind.”

General Anik glared at Jasper, “who are you to treat with me boy, a second-born son too weak to usurp his bastard sibling to take the crown?”

“You will refer to the future sovereign of this nation with the respect their position requires,” Malik seethed; the general’s gaze crossed to him at last.

“The criminal prince.” He sighed, gaze flicking to Solveig. “What a fine collection of companions you have collected for yourself, Princess . I’m sure your parents would love to hear this. I would add the slight to your already extensive list of charges if I were them.”

Adira had heard enough, drawing their bow. “Did I miss something, General? Do you carry a missive stating that the Kingdoms of Torrelin and Farrenhold are no longer allied?”

“I was merely giving my opinion, Your Highness.”

“You’d be wise to keep your opinions to yourself, lest they be interpreted as that of the king’s. Unless you want to bring the might of an entire nation down on their heads with a few poorly chosen remarks.”

The ground shook beneath their feet as a chasm formed between them and General Anik. Breaking away to leave the man nary a small spit of rock to balance upon. His face paled as he stared down the newly formed gouge in the earth, so deep he could not see the bottom.

“You’ve spoken to Princess Solveig. Now go scurry back to whatever hovel you crawled out of.” More dirt and rock fell away from the edge. General Anik cursed as they forced him to hop around on one foot like a fool as he turned to tightrope walk his way back to the bridge. Once there, Adira allowed the ground to return to its original state, barely a speck of dust out of place.

Solveig stared at the dimming glow of the emerald gems in Adira’s cuffs as they walked away, with Malik in tow.

“Exactly how powerful has Adira become?” she whispered to Jasper in awe.

“We aren’t sure. They’ve never been properly tested.” He shrugged.

“You’re concerned.” Solveig guessed.

“Should I not be?”

“I wouldn’t worry about Adira,” Solveig said, touching his arm lightly, bringing his stormy gaze to hers. “I’d worry about those who challenge them.”

“You should rest,” Jasper said, his gaze shuttering. “Your body is still healing, and if you plan to return to Torrelin—as I think you will—then you’re going to need all your strength.”

They walked to the keep in silence. Jasper left her to climb the stairs to her room alone. Where she sank into the cloudlike softness of the bed. Sleep claiming her mind instantly.