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

my brother, was killed.” More than one of the commanders looked away as I spoke those words. I knew then from what flights those final eighteen had come from. “That was on our own land. When the bodies were counted, we had two soldiers down for every one of theirs, including many of our best fighters and our prince. And you are willing to take the battle to serpiente land? Willing to lose a dozen soldiers to the archers on the palace roof before you even reach the ground? And then what do you plan, to chase the royal family through their palace?” I sighed, shaking my head. “It’s suicide, and we don’t have a hope of doing enough damage to end this war.” Before anyone could argue, I added, “It’s suicide even if they are as disorganized as Karashan believes they are. If you can’t believe that the serpiente want peace, then they obviously have a plan. Attacking their heart would bewalking right into it. As soon as our forces were destroyed, they would take the Keep apart.”
    Silence followed my words, a silence that was heavy with the weight of defeat. I didn’t want to surrender; we would fight to the last sparrow before we would give up. But neither could I allow them to begin a battle that would destroy us—and any last hope for peace.
    â€œShardae, do you have another plan?” my mother asked.
    Another plan? I wished I could have stayed in the Mistari lands to negotiate—no matter how frightening their first suggestion had been—but my kind was not trusting enough to allow another meeting. The only way I could speak to the serpents again would be without the knowledge of my people. Alone, I would be shot down long before I could even reach the palace to request an audience.
    Stalling for time, I threw my only thoughts out. “Something less direct. Something they wouldn’t predict.” What wouldn’t they predict? We had been warring for thousands of years, fighting like two dancers who know each other’s moves without thinking. “If we want to attack them on their land, we need to know what we are attacking. But we’ve never even managed to get a soldier inside the palace—not one who returned, anyway.”
    â€œWe need to do something,” Karashandeclared. “Soon. I would accept losing every life under my command, as well as my own, if we could deal a wound that wouldn’t heal. We’ve always been conservative in the past, and we’ve always ended up exactly where we started. Isn’t it time to risk a little more?” There were murmurs of agreement around the table.
    In some generations in the past, the Tuuli Thea had been ruled by this group. If I didn’t make a decision, the chance would be taken from me, but I was not ready to set a date for the slaughter.
    â€œI am accepting the crown in three days,” I stated. My voice was strong, and it hushed the mumbling. “Give me that time to think. In the meantime, make your plans for the attack; it will take you at least that long to organize the kind of offensive you are talking about. If by the morning after the coronation no one has come up with a better plan, I will give you the word to go.”
    I glanced at my mother for her reaction; for the next few days, she was still queen. I saw hesitation on her face and silently prayed that she would abide by my decision.
    Finally Nacola Shardae nodded. “Three days, when your Tuuli Thea gives the word.” She did not mention considering other possibilities, but neither did she override my words with a command to attack now. “Karashan, the Royal Flight is needed here, so you will lead the attack. Aftermy daughter’s coronation, you will present the plans to your new Tuuli Thea for her approval.”
    â€œYes, milady.”
    â€œDismissed, everyone,” she said briskly when no objections were raised. “Unless another method is decided upon, we will reconvene the