Henry’s throat bobbed. “Fucking Four,” he muttered.
Shayn’s face paled, and he grasped the hilt of his sword, glancing around the dark woods as though Korvin was hiding behind a tree.
Which I supposed he could be. But we hadn’t seen or heard anything of him since Caddik’s manor.
The scars on my back itched.
“Yes,” Nikella said, waving away their fear. “We’re also on a tight schedule. Can we count on you in Aquinon or not?”
I pressed my lips together to keep from begging. I could think of no one else who would risk going toe to toe with Renwell and his Wolves. And soon, it would be too late. He would be too powerful with too many resources. The world would slowly fall to him. As Father had. As I had.
“If you fail to defeat Dracles’s army,” Henry said slowly, “I will not march on Aquinon. I would be leading my men to destruction. Many of them are from Pravara and had family who were massacred after the rebellion. They will not be keen to do so again.” He gave me a pained look. “As much as I love Delysia, I cannot ask my men to sacrifice themselves for her. We need at least a chance of success.”
My heart ached, heavy with disappointment. “I understand. She wouldn’t want you to do that either.”
“Move your men in groups,” Aiden said. “Get them close to Aquinon without looking like you’re advancing on the city. When you see our ships, send a messenger to the main gate, asking for their surrender. I do not want our people slaying each other. We’re there to eradicate the Shadow-Wolves and the man who has seized control of our kingdom and who will make war on the world if we don’t stop him. We must lay siege to the throne, not the city.”
My lips parted. I’d never seen Aiden so animated. Everything about him glowed with the fervor he felt for his mission, for his kingdom. He truly was a king.
If he is to be king, where does that leave you?a small voice whispered.To be in love with a king is to love a man who will always put you second.
“Falcryn,” Henry murmured, assessing Aiden, who met his scrutiny without a trace of tension. “Would victory include putting you on that throne?”
“It should,” Maz muttered.
Nikella and Ruru nodded. My heart whisperedyesandnoat once.
After a long moment of everyone staring at him, Aiden said, “I don’t do any of this to wear a crown.”
“Why then?” Henry asked, his expression curious.
Aiden glanced at me, then back at Henry. “At first, out of a desire to wipe out tyranny when I fought in the Pravaran rebellion. Then out of revenge when I was imprisoned in Calimber for two years. I nearly had it, too. I almost killed Weylin, the man who murdered my parents and caused so much pain in Rellmira. But Renwell had other plans.”
And me. I had plans that ruined yours.
“You stole everything from me, little thief.”
I could still remember the fury and betrayal in his voice when he growled that at me.
Aiden sent me a heated look, as if he could hear my thoughts. The tenderness in his eyes, his taut brow. It wasn’t the face of a man who blamed me anymore.
“Now I do it for a better Rellmira, for those who fought for the kingdom and the people they cherished,” Aiden said softly. “I do it for the hope of peace. And love.”
My heart burned. He was probably talking about people like Mother and Garyth. But something in his eyes told me his last words were meant for me.
Henry blinked rapidly, looking between me and Aiden. “That’s... er, a lot take to take in. Pravara? And a prisoner for two gods-damned years. And Weylin... fucking Four.”
Aiden straightened away from the tree. “If you don’t believe me, mention my name to some families in Pravara, particularly around Tiersen and Chalmont. They’ll remember me.”
“I will,” Henry said, rising to his feet. “But I believe you. And I wouldn’t mind a king like you.” He stretched out his hand.
After a moment’s hesitation, Aiden grasped it, and they shook firmly.
It was so simple. A mutual agreement. But I felt as though it was one of Aiden’s first acts as a king.
Judging by the range of proud faces from Maz, Nikella, and Ruru, I wasn’t the only one.
Then Henry turned and kneeled before me. “If you sail on Aquinon, I will be there. I swear to the Four.” He lowered his voice. “And if you’re not, I will never stop trying to find a way to Delysia. And Everett. I swear that as well, Kiera.”
