The further they moved from the throne room, the more the calm Honora had spread faded. Augustus moved from panic to rage and frustration—shame, even, that the Eldouir had returned and they were so far unopposed. Their power had been a plague that Lorendale had been mercifully free from. They’d been foolish, foolish, he thought, to not over-prepare for their return. How could they possibly assume the devils would stay in the godforsaken land of Dresmond forever?

“I know Iliana better than perhaps anyone on Terra Nova. Believe me when I tell you—she is not prepared for this. She is not a woman of action,” Augustus chuckled a little, shaking his head, “Let us hope for Lorendale’s sake that you and I are made of stronger metal.”

Augustus would begin making his way to his office, calling upon a guard so that he might deliver instructions to the staff.

“The Eldouir are to have their needs met, but no more,” Augustus instructed, “The staff should keep the interactions to a minimum. If there are any problems…come to me immediately. No one should suffer harm simply because they find the food not to their liking.” The venom in Augustus’s voice could not be mistaken.

“On the bright side,” Augustus said in a voice low enough for only Tybalt to hear, “At least we know where we have them. It’s a gilded trap, but let’s hope a trap nonetheless.”

Cassian. Augustus was always keenly aware that the foreign prince—now king—was too close to Lorendale’s throne for his liking. But with the Eldouir in the palace, Augustus couldn’t afford to ice out the greatest military power Terra Nova had ever known. They’d need the king before this was through, he was sure of it.

As for the commander’s first suggestion, Augustus nodded emphatically. It was a great idea. “We will see it’s done.” As for Arynn Frey, Augustus’s eyebrows raised. “I still have contacts and goodwill in Arynn Frey. I will send word to them at once. If the palace is where they want to stay, let’s make it into a prison. And then…” Collar the bastards. Kill the rest. Iliana had appeased the gifted for too long.

Augustus soured at the mention of Honora (and he was sour enough to begin with). How was it that the Allemeade woman had been allowed to be so close to his niece for so long? He wondered if he hadn’t been sent off to Arynn Frey, if things might have turned out differently for them all. Oh well. It was no use dwelling on what could not be changed.

That woman needed a collar around her neck. Sooner rather than later. She was too dangerous, otherwise.

“Indeed.” Augustus agreed, still moving through the halls toward his office. “Do you have much experience with her? The queen kept her close for so long…if there was a reason for her to turn against Iliana, perhaps there can be one to turn her back.”

“Remiel Allemeade is out of the question,” Augustus said resolutely, “He too was implicated in potential involvement with the Eldouir. And not too long ago his fiancee committed a terrorist attack against the Crown. He is a gamble we cannot afford to make.”

“If we are to remain here anyway,” Augustus continued as they approached his office, “I should like for you to try and speak with her. Better to negotiate with her than with Hiram Elouir. Just…be careful.”

“Agreed.” Making contact with Arynn Frey sooner rather than later was of the utmost importance. He hoped the years of goodwill he’d fostered would pay off.

“See it is done,” Augustus said, “I don’t know if you’ve made contact with your niece, but we should. Florina as well. In fact…” Augustus grimaced. “We should call a cabinet meeting. I have an apartment int he city that will allow us to keep a low profile. I’d like your wife to be present as well. If there was ever a time to rally the Marshals together in service of their kingdom, it’s now.”

No, they meant nothing. They were dogs that had turned on their masters—predictable in hindsight and disastrous in effect. Augustus nodded in agreement at moving the gifted and Remiel. He’d be happy to have the Allemeade as far from Loren as possible, truth be told. Beyond that, the plan did make sense.

“See it is done.” Augustus opened the door to his office and stepped inside. He’d beckon Tybalt in before closing it behind them. He went to the drawer and pulled the mirror that only he, Tybalt, and Annabeth knew of from its secret compartment.

“Show me Iliana Rainecourt.”

Iliana would surface. Her surroundings would clearly place her in Nevermere. She was alive, and visually at least, appeared to be unharmed. Physically, anyway. She was crying hysterically as maids tried to comfort her. She looked small. Fragile. More like a child than he’d seen her in some time. Reality started to sink in, before he said quietly.

“I rather fear, for now, we are on our own, Commander.” Could two men truly hold Lorendale together alone?

No. They needed allies. Soon.