“What are you talking about?” I whispered.
He tilted his head to the side, looking like a merciless crow determined to scavenge his due on the battlefield. “I gave you one night of freedom. You used it. Now you owe me your oath.”
My hands shook behind my back. I’d thought Renwell would be too concerned about the battle to care about the oath I’d promised.
“But . . . Aiden . . .” I fumbled with my words.
“He’s being dealt with.” Renwell waved me forward. “Come.” He strode up the dais and sat on the throne.
Holy Four, did he really think I’d bow to him now? Was he truly so confident in his victory?
His eyes glittered as he leaned forward. “One simple vow, and you’ll have all the power I promised. But I will retract my offer if you make me wait much longer.”
I opened my mouth to tell him I couldn’t when the southern doors banged open.
“Not now,” Renwell snarled at the red-faced soldier. “I already know of the invading ships.”
“Not... the ships,” the soldier panted. “Army. Heading to the main gate.”
My heart leaped with hope. Renwell cut a glance at me, his face so full of wrath I stepped back.
“Stay here,” he growled. Then he swept out of the room.
I had nowhere to run. I could hide with Everett and Delysia and pray for victory. But I needed to stay. I needed to end Renwell before Aiden and Henry suffered too many losses.
I slid out the knife that had started it all twenty-seven years ago. The knife that had defeated a kingdom and destroyed families. But it had also saved my life and set Calimber free.
And now, it would defeat Rellmira’s greatest enemy.
Chapter 63
Aiden
We sailedinto Aquinon’s harbor, so fast the watchmen didn’t have time to fire on us.
Instead, they blew the warning horns. I didn’t care. I hoped Kiera heard them and knew I’d come. I hoped they bolstered Henry’s resolve as well. If he was here.
As we neared the dock, my eyes widened in disbelief.
“What in the deep, dark, wandering hell...” Maz muttered.
“Donotfire!” I bellowed to my warriors. “Do not attack!”
Everyone scowled, lowering their weapons upon seeing what awaited us on the dock. Rows and rows of men, women, and children. Unarmed. Stark terror in their gazes as they watched our ships coast up to the dock.
“Renwell, you sick bastard,” I growled under my breath. What kind of monster used his people as a human shield against an invading force?
“Coward,” Ruru snarled. He carried our flag on a pole he’d tied it to. “I don’t see him or his Wolves.”
I shaded my eyes against the renewed sun. The cliff gate was still open. Either Kiera’s plan had worked, or something else was afoot.
“Get off the ships!” I commanded, making sure my voice carried to both ships. “Do not fight unless you are attacked!”
Somewhere on the dock, a child cried.
My gut churned like the storm we’d just passed through. Gods, this would be worse than the Pravaran massacre if fighting broke out.
We docked and ran out the gangplanks. I was the first off the warship. The city folks pulled backward, creating a pocket of space around me.
