Total pages in book: 208
Estimated words: 209645 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1048(@200wpm)___ 839(@250wpm)___ 699(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 209645 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1048(@200wpm)___ 839(@250wpm)___ 699(@300wpm)
I had heard this of Prince Trajan, and I was not a woman to wish ill on anyone, but this, as well as many other things I’d heard about him, made me not think it was so bad he was no longer among us.
“And then there are those who weigh the cost, and lament it, even before their horses advance,” Mars went on. “Therefore, they do not advance unless they are assured their strategy will lead to as little loss as possible, with as much as possible to gain. These men, like Cassius, like myself, might not find sleep easy or we will face other reminders of what an order from our lips means to a soldier. It is inevitable. It cannot be escaped. It is, for a true general, yet another cost of battle.”
I had stared up at him, not liking that it was clear, in some way, he faced these same things.
Also knowing he was not quite done.
He wasn’t.
“True is a third type of general, cara. For he is forced to go into battle by men who are not soldiers at all, giving orders he knows are reckless, but he has no choice but to issue them, sustaining losses that could have been avoided. And as such, as much as it injures me to share this with you, I cannot say what you could do to help True to find some peace.”
Mars was very wise. I had great hope he could assist me.
Therefore, this was a grave disappointment.
He’d then wrapped his other arm around me, held me in his brotherly embrace, and said into the top of my hair, “Though, you do have those close who know him well. My wife, for one. His lieutenants are others. I suggest you seek them out and share your concerns. Perhaps they can be more help than me.”
“Silence does not wish my company so much these days,” I noted carefully, for it wasn’t only my company I’d noticed she was avoiding.
He sighed.
“Is all well?” I asked.
“Ah, Farah. True to you, concerning yourself with me,” he replied on a squeeze of his arms. “Do not. If there was a time when you need to look after yourself, it is now.”
This might be correct, but I was still worried.
I tipped my head back and caught his eyes. “But Mars—”
Another squeeze, a different one, stopped my words.
“All will be well with my new wife and I,” he assured, finishing with, “In time.”
I did not know if I should share what I right then wanted to share. True had told me in the privacy of our tent within days of setting off to Wodell, and I did not think he told me thinking I would tell anyone else.
But if it would help Mars, and Silence, I needed to share it.
“True has noticed this as well, Mars, and he fears she should not have accompanied you to the necropolis.”
At this statement, Mars’s brows drew together in puzzlement.
He then announced, “He is not correct in these fears. My queen appeared bored throughout our activities in the necropolis. Indeed, she practically fell asleep at the pits.”
“I had heard this,” I murmured.
“She is much stronger than True thinks,” Mars declared. “In fact, all those Dellish have underestimated her, from what I can see, since she drew her first breath. This is why it is good she is now Firenz. She is with her kind now. And being with us, she will flourish.”
If Mars believed that, I did too.
And at the very least, it pleased me to know he was proud of his bride.
They did not seem as happy as they had before they wed.
But Mars was like his father. He could do anything.
He’d lead their way.
Our conversation ended not long after that, with Mars again suggesting I seek one of True’s men, or Silence, to discuss my qualms.
However, prior to retiring, I had not been able to do this.
Which meant, with what seemed to be my luck, True would have another episode that very night.
And that he was doing.
I waited, and his agitation did not calm, and I did not like it.
But I did like him, so I knew I had to do something about it.
I made a decision, pushed up in bed, reached to the stand beside it, and found the stick flints. I struck one, opening the cage to the lamp, and lit it.
I blew out the flint, tossed it to the stand and twisted the knob so the illumination was brighter.
That done, I turned to my intended.
I reached out tentatively and touched his shoulder.
Even with a light touch, I could feel his skin was hot, even feverish, and clammy.
“Oh, True,” I whispered.
When he did not wake, even with some careful pressure, I curled my fingers around his shoulder and gave him a squeeze.
He came up so fast, his long arm flying out, I recoiled and would have toppled over the side of the bed if True had not caught my arms.