War (The True Reign Series) (37 page)

Savenek reached up, taking hold of Darmik’s wrists. “Take…care…of… her.”

Darmik nodded.
“Thank you for saving Rema. I’ll protect her with my life, just like you did.”

Savenek
’s eyes rolled back and he stopped breathing, his hands falling from Darmik.

This man, who Darmik started out hating, turned out to be more of a brother than Lennek ever was. And Savenek died with the greatest honor of all—saving
someone he loved.

Rema

Rema couldn
’t believe that Savenek lay lifeless before her—that he’d died saving her. She swore to live a life worthy of his sacrifice. Wiping the tears from her eyes, she stood and looked at the disarray before her. Without uttering a single word to anyone, she exited the room. Her hand traced along the wooden railing as she walked down the hallway and descended four flights of stairs. She went through the crumbled great hall, littered with weeds, hanging vines, and bones. The crooked front doors of the castle stood hanging open. She walked out into the bright sunlight.

Neco stood
on the steps, surrounded by dozens of haggard-looking children. Behind them were hundreds of soldiers dressed in the King’s Army uniform. The wind tossed Rema’s hair as she stared at everyone before her. The soldiers removed their tunics, tossing them to the ground. Then, silently, they all dropped to one knee, bowing their heads.

Darmik came up next to her, slipping his hand into hers and squeezing it. Then
he, Mako, and Ellie joined Neco, kneeling on the ground before her.

****

The next day, a ceremony was performed honoring Savenek and everyone who died at the castle seventeen years ago. Rema never had the opportunity to say good-bye to her mother, father, or brothers. Mako never got to honor his wife and daughter. Rema also needed to thank Kar and Maya. This was for all of them.

Just outside the castle, among the tall greenwood trees,
Savenek’s body was placed on a large pile of wood. Mako positioned the dagger with a silver sun on the hilt between Savenek’s hands.

Darmik, Neco, and E
llie all stood alongside the pile of wood. Rema and Mako approached the body, and Mako handed her a lit torch. She reached down toward the hay under the wood, lighting it on fire. The flames quickly grew, enveloping the wood, and then Savenek’s body. She stood back, holding Mako’s hand.

“This is for all the ones we
’ve lost. May they find eternal peace.” Rema closed her eyes. She was grateful for Kar and Maya’s love, Savenek’s steadfast devotion, her parents and brothers, and her living friends here today. With her free hand, she reached up and took hold of her key necklace. She vowed to never forget those who died. Rema was the true heir, and she would reign with compassion and love for her people. She would be the greatest empress that ever lived.

She imagined her family there, smiling down on her, proud of the woman she
’d become.

****

The following weeks passed in a blur. Notices were sent to the seven governors and all willingly chose to claim loyalty to Rema. Darmik took control of the army, ensuring a peaceful transition.

Rema
decided to stay there at the castle, in her parents’ rooms. Darmik sent word to Trell, letting him know Barjon and Lennek were dead, and asking if it was safe for Rema to return to Emperion. Most of the time, Rema was in meetings with governors and members of the army. She appointed several leaders, as well as decided who was staying on Greenwood Island, and who would accompany her to Emperion.

Early one morning, while Rema was getting ready for the day, someone knocked
softly. “Your Majesty, Mako is here to see you.”

Rema glanced out the window
; it was still gray outside. “Show him to the sitting room. I’ll be there in a moment.”

Ellie cinched up Rema
’s dress in the back. “I’ll go and fetch your breakfast,” she said with a smile. “That way, I can run into Neco before he heads out for his morning drills.” She turned and left through the servant’s passageway.

Rema looked at herself in the mirror, imagining her mother doing this very thing seventeen years ago. She heard a shuffling noise in the other room, so she went to speak to Mako.

Entering the sitting room, she saw him leaning against the hearth, his back to her. “Good morning.”

He turned and faced her, smiling. “Sorry to disturb you so early.
”

“You may seek me out any time, day or night. What can I do for you?” she asked, sitting on the sofa.

“I’ve considered your offer to join you in Emperion. After much thought on the matter, I have decided to stay here on Greenwood Island.” He came and sat next to her.

Rema figured he would want to stay
. However, she felt obligated to at least offer him a position at her side. “Since you plan to remain here, I want to bestow the title of lord upon you, and have you serve as the leader of Greenwood Island.”

“I would be honored.” He angled his body toward hers, looking into her eyes. “I don
’t want to sound grim, but we need to talk.” Rema nodded, waiting for him to continue. “Your parents were able to save you and thus preserve the royal line because they had the foresight to plan for an invasion. When you go to Emperion, I want you to take their advice.”

Rema wasn
’t sure what he meant. “You mean to have a plan in case we’re invaded?”

“It
’s more than that,” he said. “Their ancestors built the rebel fortress decades ago, knowing they needed a secret location in the event that anything ever happened. Only a handful of loyal subjects even knew it existed.”

She grabbed her key necklace, fidgeting with it. “So I’m responsible for carrying on the line.”

Mako smiled. “Exactly. You must make contingency plans to ensure the survival of your family.”

Rema released the key. “I have a question for you,” she said. “How did this necklace get engraved?”

He shook his head. “I
’m not sure. The last time I saw your mother, she gave it to you. I assume Kar and Maya had the message engraved inside in case something happened to you before they had a chance to explain your lineage.”

They sat in silence for several moments. “I
’m sorry about Savenek,” she whispered. “He was a good man.”

Mako nodded. “
Yes, he was.” He patted her hand. “There has been too much death and destruction. I’m ready for your reign of peace.”

Someone cleared their throat. “Your Majesty,” the servant said. “Neco is here to see you.”

“Please show him in.”

Mako stood. “I need to go. Just remember what we talked about.”

“I will,” Rema said. “Plans will be made to protect the line.”

Neco was escorted into the royal sitting room
just as Mako exited. “Is there something I can do for you?” she asked.

He stood tall. “I wish to speak freely with you.”

“Of course.” Rema motioned to the sofas. “Please have a seat.”

Neco sat and looked into her eyes. “I wish to marry Ellie.” Rema had expected as much. “And I would like your
consent.”

Rema didn
’t feel it was necessary to seek her approval. One of the laws she reinstated was that people could marry the person of their choice—there was no longer any contracts or governor approval.

“You do not need my blessing,” Rema kindly responded.

Neco leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees. “I believe I do,” he mumbled. “Ellie is your lady in waiting and I am Darmik’s second in command. If you think our relationship would compromise your safety, or my duty, then you have a right to refuse us.”

Rema stood and came before him. “Neco, I am indebted to you. I want nothing more than to see you and Ellie happy.” She took hold of his hands. “You
’re one of the most honorable men I have ever known. I trust, and believe, you will do your job.” She wondered if Darmik felt the same way. She would need to speak with him on the matter to ensure his support as well.

Neco smiled. “Thank you.” He stood and hugged her.

Someone cleared their throat. “Your Majesty,” a servant announced. “Darmik is here to see you.”

Neco released her. “I
’ll leave you two alone.” He turned and left just as Darmik entered the sitting room.

“You wanted to see me?” he asked.

Rema laughed. “Yes.” She felt silly for summoning him. However, she had been trying to speak privately with him for the past four weeks. It seemed that every time they finally had a moment alone, someone interrupted with an urgent matter. She decided the best way to see him would be to summon him in the early morning hours before their work for the day began.

He kissed her cheek. She wanted to throw her arms around him, holding him tight, but she refrained from doing so.
She needed to tell him about Trell while she had the chance. “There is something you should know,” Rema said.

Darmik
’s eyes quickly scanned her body. “Are you all right?” he asked, concern etched on his face.

“I
’m fine.” He wrapped her in his arms, pulling her against his chest. “I learned something in Emperion about you.”

He leaned back, searching her face for clues. “About
me?”

“Yes. When I spoke with Hamen, he said that Trell is your grandfather.” She waited for his reaction.

His eyebrows pulled in and he appeared confused. “Trell?” He released her and paced about the room. “The emperor…I mean, Hamen, told you Trell is my mother’s father?”

She quickly explained the conversation she
’d heard between Nathenek and Hamen.

Darmik ran his hands through his hair, letting out a sigh. “Barjon would never talk about my mother, or her family. Now I realize it’s because he murdered her. No wonder Trell hates him so much. But why didn’t he ever tell me?”

“You’ll have to ask him. Maybe it was the only way he could be around you?” Rema suggested.

Darmik scratched his head. “
It actually explains a lot, not only about my childhood, but about my father’s relationship with Trell.” He stopped pacing and came before Rema. “Did he say anything else?” he softly asked.

She remembered Hamen’s sickly daughter who she’d exiled along with her mother. “You have a half-sister.”

Darmik leaned his forehead against hers. “I think I’ve had enough half-siblings to last a lifetime. Are you sure you still want to marry me? I mean, I don’t come from the best lineage.”

“It doesn
’t matter who your parents are,” she said. “What matters is who you are. And I love you.”

He leaned down
, and they kissed.

Someone cleared their throat. “Your Majesty,” the servant said. “There are two people here who
seek an audience with you. Mako said they should be admitted directly.”

Rema wondered who it could be. Holding Darmik
’s hand, she instructed the servant to escort the two visitors in. She heard his voice before she saw him.

“See, I told you,” he said, “now that she
’s the all-mighty empress, we’re horse hay.”

“Will you please stop talking,” Vesha responded.

“May I present, Audek and Vesha,” the servant said.

Rema ran over and hugged her friends. She hadn
’t expected to see either of them. “Look at you!” she said to Audek. He was able to stand and walk on his own, although he was hunched over a little bit.

“As soon as he was well enough, we began the journey here
,” Vesha declared.

“I assume you
’ve heard the news,” Darmik sighed, shaking hands with Audek.

“We have,” Audek
muttered, blinking several times. “Savenek was a good man.”

Vesha
’s eyes filled with tears, and she looked away.

Ellie burst into the room, breathing heavy. “You won
’t believe who’s here,” she huffed, smiling. “Trell and Nathenek just arrived. Apparently, it’s time for your coronation and wedding.”

****