Free Storm and Steel by Jon Sprunk

you to crush them. Kill them all and make an example of them.”
    It wasn't a question. “Yes. Something like that.”
    â€œAnd you didn't refuse.”
    â€œI tried to refuse. It's not as easy as it sounds when royalty is staring you in the face. She expects to be obeyed.”
    Her head was bowed so he couldn't see her face in the gloom. “I'm sure you tried your best.”
    â€œI did. What about you? What have you been doing all this time?”
    â€œThe same thing I was doing when you met me.”
    â€œOf course. Your mission. It must be nice to have only one worry.”
    â€œI worry. But the threat is not ended. If anything, it's worse now.”
    â€œHow could it be worse? The Sun Temple is destroyed. The queen is safe now, and I'm a member of her court. I wouldn't let anything threaten you.”
    She looked up. Her eyes, shining, pierced through him. “Because you're so vital, she couldn't deny you anything. Right? She could never make you betray your ideals.”
    â€œIt's not like that. I don't intend to let anyone be hurt. I'm in a position to help the rebels, to bring about a peaceful solution.”
    Her laugh was short and painful, cutting through his emotional barricades. “Then you don't know anything, Horace. The rebels aren't interested in a peaceful resolution. They will fight until they get what they want.”
    He hadn't considered that. All these things he wanted to do, everything he wanted to be, perhaps they weren't as compatible as he'd believed. Could he serve the queen faithfully and still hold true to his values? Did he have any choice at this point? “Then I guess I'll have to convince them.”
    â€œLike the way you convinced the queen to be merciful?”
    â€œShe's considering my plan.”
    Alyra shook her head. “No, she's goading you into doing something you don't want. She's in your head, Horace. She owns you.”
    â€œSounds like you're the one trying to control me. And you're angry someone else has my attention.”
    She turned away so her profile was facing him. The moonlight cascaded down her long hair, turning it to white gold. “Then I feel sorry for you. You don't even know how lost you are.”
    â€œIf I don't handle this problem, Byleth will find someone else. And you can bet that person won't have any problem with killing as many rebels as it takes to put the matter to rest. Is that what you want?”
    â€œIt's not about what I want, Horace. I'm not the one making the decision.”
    â€œDammit, I'm trying to make this work! I'm trying to bridge the gap, but you aren't making it any easier.”
    â€œI know and I'm sorry, but I can't help you with this.”
    â€œNo? Then maybe you're the one who's lost, Alyra. Or maybe you never cared in the first place.”
    He flinched even as the words came out of his mouth, but he was too angry to take them back. She had cut him deep and then twisted the knife for good measure.
    Instead, he stalked away. The zoana stirred inside him as he left the gardens, like a caged beast that wanted to be free. He kept it on a tight leash, though it would have felt good to lash out, to destroy something and watch it fall to pieces, to feel the power surging through him.
    He threw open the door to his suite, not caring at the noise as it slammed against the interior wall, then slammed it shut behind him. His nerves were frayed. His cheeks hurt from clenching his jaws so hard. Relax. Exploding isn't going to help.
    He glanced down at the floor and considered meditating, but he wasn't in the mood. Instead, he went to the spirits cabinet and fished out a bottle of plum wine. The pale violet liquid sloshed inside as he held it up. He twisted off the top and took a deep gulp as he went out onto his private balcony. Sitting in a chair, drinking from the bottle, he looked out through the arched branches of the trees and caught a glimpse of the river's faint shimmer. The wind