An acidic burst of irritation rolled off Vonetta as I carefully considered my response. I decided that honesty was the best approach instead of telling him to shut the hell up. Which I wanted to do. “There was a time when I didn’t doubt what the Ascended told me. Not enough to take notice of the inconsistencies or to truly question any of them. I didn’t even realize that the veil I wore and the chambers they kept me in were nothing more than a cage,” I said, aware that Valyn watched me closely, his drink forgotten in his hand. “But I did begin to question things, even before I met your King. It was all these little things that didn’t add up. It was how they treated their people and each other. It was how they lived. Questioning these little things began to unravel everything else, and it was not only overwhelming but also terrifying to begin realizing that everything I believed in was a lie. That’s not an excuse for not opening my eyes to the truth sooner, or for not being brave or strong enough to do so. That’s just reality.”
Delano edged around Emil, nearing Vonetta as I scanned the generals. “And that is the same reality for the millions who were born and raised under the Ascended’s rule and who weren’t afforded the privileges I had. Generation after generation are taught not only to fear the return of the Atlantians but to believe that any loss or strange death that takes a loved one in the middle of the night is their fault or that of their neighbors. That they brought the wrath of an angry god upon themselves or those around them.”
Gayla remained silent, shifting uncomfortably as Cyr finished off his wine in one gulp, clearly troubled. “To them, the Ascended are an extension of the gods. And questioning them, let alone fighting back, is like striking out against gods they believe will and already do retaliate in the most vengeful, spiteful ways. Not only that, they’ve seen what happens to those even suspected of being Descenters or for simply questioning the Rite or an unfair tax. There are no legitimate trials. No real evidence is required. Punishment is swift and final. I ask how we can expect them to fight back while they’re trapped with those who will brutally strike—and have struck out—against them.”
“We couldn’t.” Cyr rubbed a hand along his jaw as his golden eyes narrowed.
“Not until they know they have support,” Kieran added quietly. “Not until they know they’re not alone in this fight for their freedom. If we can convince them that we are not the enemy—that we have come to help them by removing the Blood Crown from power and stopping the Rite—I imagine they will find the strength to fight back.”
“And how would we do that when we’re about to seize their cities?” Murin asked.
I smiled at him even though his blue-green eyes were hard as chips of ice. “One way is by not starving them.”
Murin’s lips pressed together into a thin line.
“Another way is doing everything possible not to harm them during the siege,” I added. “Or cause them to suffer loss.”
A rough, short laugh came from Aylard. “I mean no disrespect, Your Highness, but you did say you knew very little of battle strategy. One would expect that with you being so…young,” he said, and I arched a brow. “People will suffer loss. We lucked out with Massene, but innocent people will likely die when we take Oak Ambler. That is not only expected but unavoidable.”
“Is it?” I queried.
“Yes,” Aylard confirmed.
“Perhaps my youth allows me to be a bit more optimistic.” I tilted my head slightly. “Or maybe it just allows me to think differently. Either way, no one on the Council of Elders wants war. Neither do I. Nor does your King. We want to avoid that, but war is inevitable. The Blood Crown cannot be reasoned with, even if some Ascended can be. But that doesn’t mean there has to be a great loss of life and property. Which is what will happen if we make war like before and ride through the cities, tearing through the people as they try to run for safety.”
“No one wants to do that,” Gayla argued. “But what I haven’t heard is how you plan to avoid that and be successful. Our previous methods may have been brutal, but they were effective.”
“Were they, though?” I countered.
A cool burst of surprise rippled from many of them, but Valyn lifted his brows. “Considering where we stand today, the answer would be no. We retreated. We didn’t win.” He glanced at the generals. “And we need to remember that.”
I fought a wider smile, knowing that wouldn’t help win the generals over. “To answer your question, we’ve given the Duke and Duchess of Castle Redrock a chance to avoid a siege if they agree to our demands.”