“Hmmm.” He closed his eyes and nodded. Probably seeing my hair change color through Auriel’s memories.
“Also,” I frowned, “you are hungry, aren’t you? I know akadim don’t eat regular food.”
He coughed uncomfortably. “I am. I’m hungry.”
“Oh.” I sighed in relief. “Good. I mean, not good. I don’t want you to be hungry. I just—wasn’t sure—if there were any, I guess, side-effects of your transformation.”
“I’m sure there’s plenty we don’t know about. But from what I can feel, hunger’s not one of them. And I’m positive I can eat real food.”
“Okay then,” I said, “Let’s go. I want to see you eat, and get armored up. Then we can make a plan on what to do next.”
“Like meeting up with everyone else. Dario, and Aiden, and Jules, Meera. Tristan. Galen.” Rhyan frowned. “Are they here, too? Or nearby?” I froze.
“What?” he asked. “What’s wrong?”
“Well, I lost … um,” I looked down, “I lost them that night.” My voice shook. “Dario was supposed to protect them all while I went after you.”
“Lost? What do you mean? What happened?” He paled, his eyes moving quickly before they focused on me again. He was starting to remember more details, take in more of Auriel’smemories. Then his face fell.“Gods. We were in Thene. They were in Thene!”
“I got word that they all left the inn sometime after I did, to hide from the Emperor’s soturi. But … I haven’t heard anything about Dario, Aiden, Meera, and Jules since they left. I have no idea where they are, or if they’re okay. I’ve been just praying that no news is good news.”
Rhyan frowned. “Dario’s strong. If he’s with them, I have faith that they’re okay. He wouldn’t betray your trust.”
“Not on purpose,” I said. “I burned through the blood contract with your father when I came to the arena, I think myRakashonimdid. But as far as I know, their contracts are still in effect.”
“What about—You didn’t mention Galen.” He frowned. “Or Tristan.”
I sighed, and took his hand. “Galen’s dead. He was captured.”
Rhyan sucked in a breath, his eyes distant and then he nodded, like he knew, like he remembered. “Galen.” His voice shook.
I nodded, biting my lip. I hadn’t been able to think much about him. To grieve the way I needed to. I hadn’t allowed myself any more room for sadness, any more room for anything that could slow me down. But Galen deserved more. And he’d have it. Soon.
“And Tristan,” I said. “Tristan was made the head of some kind of vorakh task force by the Emperor. They’re doing mandatory testing now, enforcing them with nahashim at random checkpoints. They’re arresting anyone they even suspect of vorakh.”
Rhyan’s gaze was distant. “They freed chayatim,” he said slowly. “That night.”
“They did.”
He shook his head. “Have to replenish their resources. Shit. Can we trust Tristan?”
“No,” I said sadly. “I don’t think he betrayed us. I don’t think he would now—not after what we did. But I don’t think he’s acting freely either.”
“Damn.” Rhyan’s jaw tensed. “He isn’t. He’s vorakh, too.” He entwined our fingers together, his eyes on mine. “I saw how haunted he looked that night. He’s not free.”
“No.”
“We’ll have to find him. All of them. After we deal with my father.”
“And then there’s the whole New Korteria thing,” my stomach turned, “it’s supposed to be temporary, but you know that was Kormac’s plan all along. To conquer Bamaria. And now my aunt let him.”
“We’re going to figure that out, too,” he said.
Rhyan shifted, his hand warm as he settled it against my thigh.
I was suddenly very aware that we were both still naked, and in bed. And the small fire Rhyan had stoked inside me from just one lick, was still burning. Our eyes met.
But then I was even more aware of Rhyan’s stomach grumbling, and shook my head.
