“Well,” Sean said. “Fuck.”
I nodded. “We need to go to Glemaria. It’s time. Devon needs to go. I want to see him bound in chains, bound and powerlessand thrown into the same dungeons he put Rhyan in. And then, Rhyan needs to reclaim his power. Take it back from him. He’s going to need it.”
Sean stood. “I’m going to escort you both back to your room at the inn to get the rest of your things. Close out of the room as discreetly as possible. Then we’ll come back here. It’s more protected. We’ll wait until nightfall. Then we’re going to cross the western border out of Lumeria. My soturi will be waiting. We’ll start sending word out to the others who couldn’t come. And other groups who are waiting to help. And then, come morning, we make our way north.”
Sean pulled Rhyan back into a hug, his hand tight against his neck, his other hand rubbing his back. Then he looked over his shoulder, his arm extended to him. “Get in here.”
I joined them, warmth spreading through my limbs. Safe. I felt safe. And so happy that Rhyan was back with Sean.
“You’re amazing,” Sean said, his eyes crinkling as they looked at me. “You are so amazing, Lyriana. I cannot thank you enough.”
“Rhyan would have done the same for me. For anyone he loved.”
“I know he would have.” Sean pulled back. Then suddenly, he dropped to one knee. “This goes without saying. But, when I left Bamaria, I ended my oath to Arkasva Batavia. As did all of my soturi. We’re now forsworn. But I give my oath, my sword, and my soturi to you. To both of you. To whatever comes next. If you accept me.”
Rhyan let out a shaky exhale, and grabbed his uncle’s hands, pulling him back to his feet and clapping his back in another hug. “Of course, we fucking do.”
“Thank you, Sean,” I said.
He shook his head. “No. Thank you. I mean it.” His mouth tightened. “Now let’s go. Get your things.”
I took a moment to reinforce the glamour magic I’d placed on Rhyan, lightening his hair which had started to darken and shining the silver of his armor. I touched up my own hair, and returned the red shard on my back into the rusted old sword I pretended to carry. After removing the sparks of gold seeping back into my armor and Asherah’s chest plate, we were ready to go.
We stepped outside, Sean and two more soturi that seemed to appear out of nowhere walking behind us.
Rhyan took my hand in his, and we attempted to walk nonchalantly through the town, back toward the waterway and the main road of buildings that ended with the inn. I glanced over my shoulder, getting an eerie feeling, like we were being watched. And not by Sean. Nor was it akadim.
But we headed inside the inn without incident, our hoods down.
“Afternoon,” said the innkeeper. She was one half of a married couple who owned the place.
“Afternoon,” I said. “We’ll be checking out now.” I smiled. “We’re on our way, to get the rest of our luggage.”
“Oh,” she said. “You’re paid up for another three days. Do you want me to get you a refund?”
I shook my head. That would take too long, and require her to spend more time with us—looking at our faces.
“Oh no, that’s quite all right,” I waved her off.
“It was a lovely stay,” Rhyan said.
The innkeeper stilled, looking him up and down. “Huh. You know, I don’t think I’ve ever heard your accent before.”
I stiffened. Shit. Rhyan looked just like Auriel, especially with the change in hair color. But I’d totally forgotten that he didn’t sound like him. Not unless he was using his utmost formal court voice.
Rhyan forced a laugh. “Oh. It comes and goes,” he said neutrally.
“He served in the North. Apprenticed in one of their academies. Sometimes it just comes out.” I laughed. “Well, we’ll be on our way then.”
I tugged on Rhyan’s hand, hurrying him to the stairs and back to the room where I shoved the door behind us. I leaned back against it and closed my eyes. Fuck.
“I’m sorry,” Rhyan said. “I totally forgot?—”
“I did, too.” I took a deep breath.
“Do you think she’s going to be a problem?” Rhyan asked.
“I’ve hardly seen any soturi this far west.”
