“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“Calimber,” he said in a strangled voice. “I’d bet all the gold in Rellmira that Renwell’s forging his sunstone weapons and armor in Calimber.”
I swallowed, tasting river water and salt.
It made sense. There were no forges in the Den or the palace. The only forges in Aquinon churned out steel or bronze armor and weapons. Sometimes Father had imported what he needed for his soldiers from Keldiket.
Besides, if Renwell had been hiding his new sunstone armor and weapons from Father, Calimber would’ve been the perfect place to do it. He’d hidden warships there, after all.
“Your sister didn’t mention a forge or anything else about the mine?” Aiden asked, his voice urgent.
I shook my head. “Just that her soldier lover had been moved away from there. And that there was a lot of secrecy around it, much like Nikella and Lord Garyth found when they sniffed around Calimber.”
Aiden frowned. “I thought that was because of the warships, but perhaps there was more.”
“Logs!” I blurted out. “Nikella told Lord Garyth that my father was excessively logging out of Twaryn and sending it to Calimber. For what, they didn’t know. But perhaps Renwell needed the extra wood to feed a forge, as well as to build warships.”
Something like admiration flickered in Aiden’s eyes. “It’s possible. I won’t know for certain unless I see for myself.”
My body grew impossibly colder. “You want to spy on Calimber? Where the High General is camped? Where those terrible ships are?”
Aiden’s face hardened with grim determination. He looked like he had when he’d spoken of his plans to assassinate Father. Like a man who had to do the impossible, and he was the only one who could do it.
“Renwell needs to be stopped before something like this”—he gestured at the distant village—“happens again. And if he’s using Calimber to create indestructible weapons and armor and more of those warships, then that’s where I need to go.”
“I’m coming with you,” I announced, trying to hide the tremble in my jaw.
I expected him to forbid me, as he had with my suggestion to go to Renwell. But I hadn’t asked. I was merely letting him know.
He clearly wasn’t pleased, judging by his tightened brow. “Why?”
I glanced toward the trees that hid the burning part of the mountain from view. Maz’s words from last night came back to me. “I haven’t given my all yet. Therefore, I haven’t given enough. Renwell was able to commit so many crimes partially because I couldn’t see him for what he was.” I peeked at Aiden from under my eyelashes. He was still scowling. “I set out to protect my family, but also Rellmira, and I haven’t done either. So I’m trying to do what I should’ve done from the beginning.”
Aiden tilted his head to the side, studying me. “It’s strange sometimes to see my thoughts reflected in someone else’s mind.”
I took a step back.
He spoke of his regrets, his guilt. I remembered what he’d said about Mother vowing to help him in whatever way she could. And those plans had taken her away from us.
“I’m not doing this for you,” I said, more harshly than I meant to. “Not because of my mother’s vow, and not because I owe you. I’m doing this forme. For Everett and Delysia. For Rellmira.”
The words floated between us like the flecks of snow that had started to fall, kissing the river.
“I understand,” Aiden said softly. His drying hair curled over his brow, and he looked almost... sad. Defeated.
My body was shivering uncontrollably, and my teeth chattered, despite my attempt to look stern.
He jerked his chin to the shore. “Get your clothes, Kiera. Wrap your hair in a blanket if you can, or you’ll catch a fever.” He turned his back to me without waiting for a reply.
I hesitated, part of me wanting to take back what I said, to assure him I would ally with him against Renwell. That he didn’t need to worry about my loyalty on that front. But I had no assurances on my loyalty tohim.
We would just have to trust each other enough to win a war.
Impossible, I thought as I sloshed toward my clothes, snow prickling against my skin.
Yet I knew with my whole heart that Aiden wouldn’t turn around until I was gone.
Chapter 20
