Page 21 of Lady of Starfire

“Explain to me,” he said through gritted teeth, “why when it is Sorin going for Scarlett or Briar going for Ashtine, no one says a word. All plans are paused, and everything is dropped to accommodate them. But when I wish to do the same for someone thatno oneis going after, it is up to someone else as to whether or not I amallowedto go.”

“I am sorry, Callan,” Eliza said, pity filling her grey eyes as she watched him.

“Do you say that because you feel sorry for me, or because you will not do a godsdamn thing to help me?” Callan sneered.

“You need to speak to Scarlett about this.”

“And if I can convince her?”

“I think you will be hard pressed to do so, but if she agrees, I will not be the one to stand in your way.”

* * *

Callan stood and watched the children run around the Coventry Estate. There wasn’t much time. He had worked out a plan to catch Scarlett off guard. He would show up ready to leave. That wouldn’t give her much of a chance to debate things with him. He would go and get Tava because he couldn’t just sit around here, behind these Wards, and donothingwhile she was risking her life. What kind of king would that make him? What kind of king did it make him that he ran at all?

But that plan also meant he needed to say goodbye to Eva.

He’d spoken with Lynnea again, and he had just come from speaking with Hale. The Toreall King had sworn to watch over her as if she were his own sister when Callan had explained what had happened and where he was going.

“When it comes to it, Toreall will stand with you,” Hale had said. “Know that when we are all back on our thrones, we have an alliance.”

Callan wasn’t sure when the last time was that the three mortal kingdoms had been so united, but knowing that at the end of all of this, that alliance would stand? It made this even more imperative because that alliance would only stand if Drake was also back on the throne. If the Maraans retained even one mortal throne, the alliance of two kingdoms would not be enough, especially with Rydeon separating Windonelle and Toreall.

Of course, nothing would be enough if the Fae Courts fell.

“Hi, King Callan.”

Callan looked down to find Tula looking at him, a wooden sword in her hand.

“Hello, Tula. Do you know where Eva is?”

Tula nodded her head, blond curls bouncing with the movement. Her baby blue eyes were studying him, and he wasn’t sure how a child so small made him want to squirm under her scrutiny.

“Do you know where Rayner is?” she asked.

“I do not.”

“Oh.”

She continued to study him, and Callan found himself shuffling his feet awkwardly. “Can you take me to Eva?”

“Sure!” she exclaimed, her eyes brightening. She reached up and grabbed his hand, tugging him along behind her. She had sheathed the sword in a small sword belt she had buckled around her little waist.

“Your necklace is very pretty,” Callan said.

Tula looked up at him again, her smile wide as she reached up with her free hand, fingering the adornment. “Thank you. Scarlett and Sorin made it for me, but Rayner made it extra special.”

“Oh?”

She nodded her head, her face going serious. “So he can always come to me if I need help. Like on the ship with the bad flying men.”

Callan had heard that Rayner had been particularly savage that day. There were rumors that he had pulled out organs with his bare hands. He hadn’t realized that had been because of Tula.

“He said he has to leave for a little while,” she said. Her tone had faltered, but there was a look of determination on her little face, as though she were willing herself not to cry.

“He will be back soon,” Callan said reassuringly.

“Do you know where he is going?”