They walked toward our tree. We slid around to the other side, flanking them as they passed.
They moved cautiously, but I didn’t see the glint of weapons in their hands. No torches, either. Could it be...? They were headed straight for our camp.
“Henry?” I called without stepping out from the trees.
Aiden stiffened.
The movement stopped. “Who’s there?” a man’s voice barked.
“Friend or foe, depending on your answer,” I replied. “What is your name?”
There was a pause, during which I held my breath.
Then: “Henry Avincourt, captain of the eighteenth. Now you answer me.” Something rustled nearby, as if someone were creeping closer.
Aiden darted out and snatched a dark shadow, putting his knife to its throat. “The last person you’ll ever see if you’re lying,” he growled.
The dim light revealed a man’s face with a dark mustache and wide eyes. “I give you my word,” he said quickly.
Metal scraped, and two other shadows leaped at us. I whipped out my sword.
“Stop!” the one in Aiden’s hold cried. The other two hesitated. “Please tell me your name.”
I stepped closer to him. “What is the name of the woman you love?”
“Delysia,” the man immediately replied. “She has the most beautiful golden hair and blue eyes. Her favorite color is pink. She hates the dark and studying.” He took a breath. “And she loves her older brother and sister more than anything.”
A lump wedged itself in my throat. I blinked rapidly, trying to keep the tears at bay. I grasped Aiden’s arm. “Let him go,” I said hoarsely.
Aiden released him and backed away, but he didn’t stow his knife.
Henry rose to his feet and peered at me in the dark. “Kiera?”
Kiera. Not Emilia. I hadn’t signed the letter, yet he’d called me by the name Delysia did. She must’ve talked about me.
“Yes,” I whispered. “I’m so glad you came.”
“I almost didn’t,” he said. “I actually brought someone along who said he knows you. Just to be safe.”
I jolted, lifting my sword. I didn’t know any soldiers.
Aiden shifted in front of me as one of the other men stepped closer.
“Hello, Kiera.”
Chapter 42
Kiera
Memories jolted through me.A guard with bright red hair, standing at the bridge. Smiling at me. Sneaking me around the other guards. Stealing kisses and a few nights in his bunk.
“Shayn?” I stepped past Aiden, reaching for him, trying to see his face. “Holy Four, you’re alive.”
He gave a bitter laugh. “No thanks to your father and that prick of a High Enforcer calling himself king now.”
I winced. “I’m sorry my father sent you away. I tried to find out what happened to you?—”
“Forget about it. I should’ve known better than to get involved with you. I’m only here to verify who you are and see if you have a way to get me back to my family.”
