“Heard what?”
“Heylisians have crossed into Ibros. The duke forgot to mention it?”
The king’s face darkened. “That insolent weasel. No, he failed to mention an army at his back. Fuck.”
“What did you mean, then? What other development?”
“I received word from the northern king yesterday,” King Altos said. “I put off responding, but with Duke Ovenno’s arrival and demands, I’m glad I did.”
“What’d he say?”
“Either the Fates play games with us, or the plan is unfolding as it should,” Altos said absently. He turned back to face Daris. “The king is on his way here. For Sonah Yahn.”
Daris smothered the curse burning the back of his throat and closed his eye for a beat before responding.
“Terena?”
“He did not say. I will send him a note after this, but I cannot think of a way to stall the duke until the king’s arrival. Duke Ovenno is still under the impression we do not know who Sonah really is, and I’ve done nothing to disabuse him of the notion. So here’s how we’ll play it to our advantage. I’ve told him you’ll be joining Sonah as her escort. Pick ten of your best to go with you. I want to know what that fool is up to, and with you in his castle, you can monitor him and his dealings as well as protect Sonah.”
“And the army in Ibros?”
“Let me worry about that. Your concern is Sonah.”
“Sire, I don’t think?—”
“You are Sonah’s guardian,” Altos said, narrowing his dark brown eyes. “You will go with her. If I can convince the King of Olympus to send Terena Luca after you two, Sonah will never reach Ovenno.”
Daris’s heart stopped, then sped up painfully. Carefully schooling his features, he stayed silent as he waited for Altos to say more.
The king looked at him for a moment before he nodded and turned away. He walked to the window and stared out, his back to Daris.
“It is not going well for them,” Altos continued. “I believe the duke and his allies seek to use Sonah for the same purpose as us.”
The king turned back to him and smiled at the look on Daris’s face.
“Aye. I believe they wish to bait Terena to their side. To lure her into their war against Emperor Solon. To use gods to fight against the emperor’s growing power. Somehow, he has managed to find gods of his own.”
“Impossible,” Daris said before he could stop himself.
“That was my thought as well,” Altos said with an arch of his eyebrow. “And yet the duke brought news of a situation prompting his journey here.”
The king paced back to the window and stared out in silence. Daris waited, fists clenched at his sides.
“The emperor has reclaimed Ravos. Duke Ovenno was not forthcoming with details, except to say the emperor sent General Peleon to treat with Duke Ravos. It was a ruse. The general had someone with him who had powers similar to Terena. This… god, was with Peleon. They were sent with a message for Duke Ravos’s allies.”
“What message?”
Daris felt a prickle of unease slide down his spine as the king shook his head.
“Duke Ravos was the message. He was dumped outside the gates of Calla. Ovenno’s men found him after the morning shift change.”
Daris’s blood went cold. Calla was the capital of Ovenno. If Solon’s men could get that close to the duke and not be seen…
“They killed him?” Daris asked, steeling himself for the answer.
King Altos rubbed his eyes with his thumb and forefinger, then opened his bloodshot eyes, staring at Daris with resignation.
“They melted his face. The duke said they didn’t even know it was him until after the healers revived him. He told Duke Ovenno the emperor has gods fighting for him, and that theyare coming for him and Duke Aurora next. He died shortly thereafter.”
