Page 82 (1/2)

So does Cenra It’s why she dared to leave her borders She knows I hold her daughter in the palm of my hand I don’t doubt she wants to extricate Iris froe But she needs this alliance as much as I do Without me, she faces Cal and his band of traitors and criainst her I’ slightly to thehter looks more like a soldier than a queen made and princess born

The queen of the Lakelands dips into a shallow curtsy Her sleeves brush the deck "Your Majesty," she replies

I turn my face to the horizon "Harbor Bay has fallen"

"For now," Cenra says, her voice offensively cal an eyebrow "You think we can win it back? Tonight, perhaps"

Again, she dips her head "In time"

I finish for her "When the rest of your armada arrives"

Queen Cenra grits her teeth "Yes, of course," she reluctantly grinds out "But--"

"But?" I ask The sea air feels cold on uard," she says At her side, Iris looks sht this battle "The Lakes must remain defended, especially from Montfort They can cross Prairie and strike our western border easily As can the Kingdo, I wave a hand at the horizon Full of Samos traitors and Montfort usurpers, all beneath my brother’s idiot command "Strike your border hat ar my city?"

Cenra flares her nostrils and a flush heats her face, dusting over her cliff-like cheekbones "Saest on the continent Not to mention Montfort’s own capabilities, whatever they are Your brother has the advantage from the air, and he has the speed Anywhere could be at risk of attack" She speaks slowly, as if I ales nored, Your Majesty"

As if on wretched cue, a battalion of airjets races over the coast in formation The distant screa roar I fold nite

"Bracken’s Air Fleet should be enough to hold thethe city Protective maneuvers

Iris finally finds her voice "The bulk of his fleet was cannibalized by the Montfort occupation They can’t hts in correctingmy temper

To look powerful is to be powerful Mother said that tooAssured of yourself and your victory

"Which is e have to return to a place of strength," Cenra says "We’re no good out here on the waves, waiting to be picked off fronet Line are not invincible"

Of course they aren’t, you proud nit

Instead I blink at her, trying to burn through her with est a retreat?"

"We’ve already retreated," Iris snaps The healer at her side steps back a little, cowed by her anger "Harbor Bay is one city--"

I clench a fist and a burst of heat ripples on the air "Harbor Bay is not the only piece of my country lost to h that they must strain to hear "The south is his, the Rift and Delphie He took Corviu queen doesn’t quail against my checked fury "Fort Patriot will be of little use to the like a satisfied cat after a particularly big dinner