“And if you surrender?” Ágota asks.
“King Charles will appoint his own man in my stead.”
“He will kill you.” Ágota’s shoulders sag as she sits on the edge of my bed.
“Or exile me. Either way, this castle and town will be lost. All we fought to build in the aftermath of the exodus from the Witch World is in peril.”
“We shall never surrender,” I say with steel in my voice. “I will perform my duty. Victory is assured.”
Balázs nods, but does not look convinced.
I stride over to him, my hands clenched at my sides, and peer up at him. “I will win.” Every time I am in battle, I know victory is mine for the taking. I hear it in the clash of swords, taste it in the air fragrant with blood, and witness it as my enemies fall.”
Resting his hands on my shoulders, he says. “Victory today will only ensure that we will battle again in the future. King Charles is determined to subjugate all of the Kingdom of Hungary beneath him, including Transylvania.”
“Then perhaps we should take it from him.” The fire of battle is burning in my chest. I can feel my power stirring, preparing to infuse an army against its enemies. It is very difficult to calm myself once I feel the call of combat.
“Erjy, how can you say such things?” my sister says, obviously stricken by my declaration.
I spin about to find her downcast and wringing her hands. “What would you have me say, Ágota?”
“You must remember we protect our people. We are not conquerors.”
“Your sister is correct, Erzsébet. We are refugees in this world, not invaders.”
“Perhaps not, but I will not stand for any king coming against you,” I reply.
Affection fills Balázs’s gaze and softens his harsh expression. “Of that, I am certain, Erjy.”
“Can there be peace when the King of Hungary and the Voivode of Transylvania war?” Ágota stomps back and forth before me, a frantic look upon her face. “Is there no way to resolve this without us being forced into battle?”
“I am not bothered by it,” I say to her.
“I know this! Which is why I worry! Every time you wield your powers I fear for you!”
“Ágota, she cannot deny what she is.” Balázs steps in front of his daughter to force her to cease her pacing. “We have had this discussion before.”
“War, death, and blood should not be her inheritance! She should be an Archwitch like me! Connected to the elements. Able to protect, heal, help and—”
“You cannot alter what I am!” I have to interrupt her, for it is tiresome to discuss how at odds I am with her aspirations for me. “Though Balázs had hoped I would be a grandwitch or Archwitch, he has accepted my legacy, as have I wholeheartedly. Why not you? You are my sister! I love you! I accept everything that you are! I am exhausted by your judgment!”
Pressing her lips together, Ágota nods curtly. Tears sparkle in her eyes when she looks at me. “I do not judge you, Erzsébet. I fear for you.”
“At this moment, the future of the coven, our families, and the people under our protection are in jeopardy. This is our concern. Set aside your differences.” Balázs sounds more like a father than a leader, pleading with his children to behave.
“I can cast a mighty spell to remove us from the map. Make us vanish from their eyes. I will do that!” Ágota lifts her chin with defiance.
Balázs sighs wearily. “Ágota, they know we are here. If you cast such a spell, they will know that witches rule here. We would be in even more danger, for King Charle
s will dispatch more reinforcements.”
“Then I will wipe us from their memory!”
I snort at her declaration. “Erase the memories of an entire kingdom?”
“If we can hold them off for a few days, I may be able to find a way to amplify my power and—”
“Ágota, cease. We have had this discussion before. The outside world cannot know we are witches. We have already lost so many of our own to fire and water. We came here weakened, at the mercy of humans and supernaturals native to this world. You were born here. You are able to wield this world’s magic. The rest of us struggle.” Balázs lays his big hands on her narrow shoulders. “We must be discreet.”