Read Online Shapeshifters by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes - Free Book Online Page A

decision for me to inherit early had only been made recently, I had never joined my mother for these councils.
    We descended to the second floor, where the courtiers had been cleared to make way for soldiers. At a center table sat avian men and women from all levels of society, all of whom stood upon our entrance. Beside the flight commanders, I saw weapon smiths and a few merchants who dealt in trade not discussed in the marketplace.
    Around that table, I saw eyes that reflected horrors of every scope. Haunted expressions met my gaze as I was introduced in turn to each defender and necessary killer. The only commander I felt at all comfortable with, Andreios, was theonly one missing; the commander of the Royal Flight would converse with his queen alone. In the meantime, his flight was surrounding the Keep.
    â€œPlease, sit,” my mother said. The simple words began a conference I had no wish to be at.
    Karashan spoke first. “Milady, we have taken advantage of these last weeks’ lull to train soldiers to replace those lost fighting the cobra’s people. We have also recently received a new shipment of am’haj from Ahnmik.”
    The concoction of which Karashan spoke, more commonly called avian poison, was a falcon creation that my people had never been able to reproduce. Aside from occasional fatigue, it had almost no effect on my kind. However, a blade coated in it would cause almost instant death to a serpent even if the wound was minor—an advantage we needed against an enemy who could blend effortlessly into the shadows and who was both faster and stronger on land than our soldiers.
    Many times, the Tuuli Thea had petitioned the falcons for more than poison, as they were rumored to possess magic, in addition to controlling the most deadly soldiers ever to live. The price for that aid, however, was surrendering our freedom to the falcons and accepting subjugation in exchange for victory. Like every queen before her, my mother had refused the soldiers.
    However, like every queen before her, shehad accepted the poison. It was the only way we had survived this long.
    Karashan continued, “I believe the serpiente are feeling panicked, milady. The only incidents that have occurred since Gregory Cobriana’s death have been easily put down.” She paused, looking about the table, where others were nodding agreement. “We need to take advantage of this time, milady.”
    â€œI assume you have a recommendation,” my mother said when it seemed Karashan was hesitant to continue.
    â€œThere is obviously serious disorder among the serpiente. I suspect that your early return from Mistari land may have interfered with their plans. Before they reorganize, I would recommend a direct attack …. We won’t—”
    â€œNo.” My voice cut through Karashan’s. Suddenly all eyes at the table were on me, including my mother’s, which were full of disapproval at my interruption. I continued anyway. “Doesn’t anyone have even the slightest hope that the reason the serpiente have not attacked is because they honestly want peace?”
    I saw the answer to that question before I had even finished asking it. The other flight leaders agreed with Karashan. I saw fear in some of their eyes, but more than that I saw jaded surrender. Peace was a myth to these people. They couldn’t think of any other existence but war.
    There was no way to change that here, and yet I wasn’t willing to let them destroy everything, either. Trying to appeal to their more rational side, I pointed out, “We have tried direct attacks before. They only bring slaughter. If we attack the serpiente in their own land, we might strike a blow, but it will be at an incredible cost.” Knowing it was a painful subject for many, I reminded them, “It took half of the Ravens, a dozen of the Royal Flight and eighteen others to kill Gregory Cobriana. And in the meantime, Xavier Shardae,