A Vow So Bold and Deadly (The Cursebreaker Series Book 3)

I’ve never led an army. The armor feels stiff and unfamiliar, but I don’t mind the weight if it means I am protected. I ride with the generals at the back, and we join with my regiment on the other side of the mountain pass. Rhen has stationed his own soldiers here, as promised, but rumors fly about the confrontation with the Magesmith Prince, how he defeated an ambush but left the soldiers from Emberfall alive.

I remember the first time Grey and I rode together through these valleys, when we offered Rhen his sixty days. The people of Emberfall were eager to greet him, even with me at his side. There are many stories of the lives Grey saved in Blind Hollow, how he stood against the Royal Guard to protect the people. My generals want to attack the waiting regiment, but I wonder if there is a better way.

If Nolla Verin were here, she’d order a full-scale assault, but that’s why I left her in the palace and I rode with the army.

I ask my generals to send a message to Rhen’s regiment, asking for a meeting with their officers.

Clanna Sun is at my side, her tone worried. “They could attack, Your Majesty. You are alerting them to our presence.”

She is the only advisor I have brought with me—and the only person in the castle who knows of Ellia Maya’s treachery. She served my mother since before I was born, and she is practically more loyal to Syhl Shallow than I am myself. I may not like Clanna Sun, but I do trust her. “If they attack,” I say, “we will retaliate. But we will try for peace first.”

Their response comes in less than an hour, and their officers arrive in less than two. They’re all men, which doesn’t surprise me, but they’re led by a lieutenant, which does. The man is missing an arm, and he eyes my soldiers warily.

Noah is in the officers’ tent with us, and he looks over in surprise. “Jamison.”

Jamison looks startled to see him. “Doctor Noah.”

“You know this man?” I say.

“A little,” says Noah. He hesitates. “He lost his arm when Syhl Shallow invaded the first time.” Another pause. “And he fought in the battle when the creature drove your mother’s forces out.”

“Ah.” I look at Jamison. “So you have brought your grievances, Lieutenant?”

“No.” He glances at Noah, then back at me. “I was among the soldiers who attempted to overthrow Grey’s small force a few days ago.”

At that, Noah rises to stand at my side. “You saw Jake.”

“I did.” Jamison glances at me. “As well as Grey.” He pauses. “We had them badly outnumbered, but he used magic to stop the attack.”

I can’t tell if he’s angry about the magic or angry that they weren’t successful—or if he’s here for another reason entirely. “We understand the enchantress has returned to Emberfall,” I say. “And she intends to take control of Prince Rhen.”

“We heard the same rumor from one of our spies,” says Jamison. He glances at my soldiers again, his expression uneasy. “She was in the castle when the enchantress attacked—but she died in the assault.”

A spy. I bristle. “Did this spy tell you that Grey was leading a force into Emberfall to stop the enchantress?”

“We didn’t know that’s why Grey was here.” His gaze returns to mine, and his voice is weighted. “She said he was here because the time has come for war.”

The word war seems to add a layer of tension to the air, one that doesn’t need to be there.

“It has,” I say, “but I was hoping we could find a path to peace.”

Jamison takes a breath. “I’ve heard rumors about that, how you tried to find peace with Rhen once before.”

“Those rumors are true.”

He hesitates. “I’ve fought at Grey’s side. More than once. He is a man of honor.”

“Yes,” I agree. “He is.”

“And he could have killed us with his magic, I’m sure of it.”

“Yes. He could have.”

“Our spy said your mother’s army is no less vicious under your rule.”

“Your spy was correct,” I say. “My army is no less vicious.” I pause. “That doesn’t mean they need to show their teeth.”

“Then you are truly here to discuss peace with Prince Rhen?”

“I am.”

If I can. If Grey is successful. If he survives. If he defeats the enchantress.

My stomach begins to churn, and I fight to keep my face neutral.

Jamison glances at the officers with him. “There are regiments surrounding Ironrose Castle, preparing for an attack from Syhl Shallow. If you are truly here for peace, we can offer an escort to Ironrose for you and an entourage of twenty men.” He clears his throat and looks around at my senior officers, the majority of whom are female. “Or … women. As you will. Our regiment will hold its position if yours will.”

“Absolutely not,” says Clanna Sun in Syssalah.

“Yes,” I say to Jamison. “We will be ready in an hour.”

“They have thousands of soldiers readied for war,” Clanna Sun hisses when I turn away. “And you are our queen.”

“I know.” I feel a bit breathless. “Choose twenty to accompany us.”

I stop by Noah before I step out of the tent. “Jake is alive,” I say quietly.

He nods—then grimaces. “At least … he was.”

I reach out and squeeze his hand. “He still is.”

He squeezes back. “You’re making peace happen.”

I blush before I can help it. “Grey would be thanking fate. Perhaps we stumbled on some luck that Grey encountered a soldier he once knew.”

“It’s not luck.” Noah’s voice is steady, somber. “You don’t luck into that kind of trust, Lia Mara. You earn it with every minute you do the right thing. So does Grey.” He gives my hand another squeeze. “Go. Bring my boyfriend back to me.”

“Bring him back? Noah, you must come with me.”