The Wings of Ashtaroth

Chapter 16: Generals: Section II: Iridescia

Iridescia: Mount Nuna: Ipsis: Indas

"You have to be quick," Iridescia signed to Roewyn and Liberio as they marched uphill toward the Haven, the late summer sun beating down on their shoulders.

Meeting like this was stupid. Iridescia knew it was stupid. Roewyn knew it was stupid. Liberio—well, Liberio was stupid, so Iridescia couldn't exactly blame him, but both she and Roewyn should know better.

Roewyn gave Iridescia's forearm a gentle squeeze. "We will be." She smiled like it was a promise. Her words turned to a whisper, quiet so Liberio couldn't hear her from ahead of them. "He needs me. I know you don't understand, but this is very hard for him."

Months ago, a comment like that from Roewyn would have sent Iridescia running off, but she did understand, maybe more than Roewyn herself. Iridescia had been there for the wedding, when Hadrianus had smashed Liberio's face into the table. She lived at the palace where every day, Liberio was called to Star's bedchamber, and where Star fawned over her husband like she actually cared for him or wanted him. Iridescia knew better than to think Star really did care—it was a joke made at Liberio's expense. Only Star and Hadrianus were laughing.

"It's not that." Iridescia swallowed the knot in her throat that still formed when she thought of Roewyn's lips brushing Liberio's, her hands wrapping around his back, her legs . . . . "I know he needs you, and you need him. That's why I'm helping you see each other."

Sticks snapped and damp grass squished beneath Liberio's feet. Iridescia winced. She cast an anxious glance behind them, but the bald patch of mountain they'd left behind was empty of any spies. "But worse things could happen to you now, if Star finds out."

And now that Iridescia had spoken to Star about her dreams and let Star feed her that strange potion, Iridescia didn't have anything left that she could use to bargain for Roewyn's life. Iridescia had nothing at all to fight with unless she discovered how to summon the shadows like she had the night of Star's attack. Miqipsi might know, but was it safe to ask him?

"We'll be careful," Roewyn repeated. Her head drooped and she stared at the grass. Her gaze looked very far away. "I know what it is to be frightened of someone so much stronger than you."

Liberio, who must have heard Roewyn despite the whisper, twisted his head to look back at her. "You don't need to be frightened." He wiggled his fingers for Roewyn to take, but if she saw she didn't acknowledge him.

"I'm not, most of the time. I don't let it rule me." She glanced at Iridescia.

Liberio's hand dropped to his side. "I told you I'd protect you. Both of you." He met Iridescia's gaze. "Not everyone supports my father."

Iridescia frowned. "Everyone important does."

Roewyn translated for her.

Liberio's face split into a foolhardy grin. "And how would you know? I have men who'll listen to me. As soon as I get confirmation from my Qarnaaman that Marianus is dead, we strike."

Who was we? Iridescia's skin prickled. "Strike who?"

"Hadrianus. Star." Liberio shrugged. "The whole lot of them."

Roewyn shielded her eyes as though the sunlight piercing the trees had blinded her. "Even you can't think one Qarnaaman will be enough to tear them down."

"You're not listening," Liberio said. "I have more than one person ready to fight for me."

"The Lora will execute you," Iridescia signed. How likely was it that Liberio would survive a second death?