“She stays with me.” Callan’s jaw is tight. “Petyr will expect it.”
I let out a slow breath when Tobias eventually nods. “You’ll travel together, then. We’ll escort you both.”
He waves an arm over his head in a circle. Soldiers step forward, giving me a wide berth as they edge around me and make their way ontoVolatus, their boots thumping against wood behind me. “They’ll begin the unloading. Anything we should know about?”
Sol pulls a parchment from inside his leather jerkin, handing it over. “Inventory list.”
Tobias hands it off to another faceless metal figure. “Follow me.”
Ahead of me, farewells are murmured as Merrick clasps Callan’s shoulder. He offers me a smile before taking Leo’s hand.
When the cart is led forward, a frame of linen and wood stretching over it to offer cover from the elements, Callan waits for me before allowing Sol and Rio to nudge him inside.
I hesitate before accepting Sol’s hand, pushing through the gap and wincing as my wings pull. Callan glances up at me, an unembarrassed apology on his face. “Not the largest space.”
My wings brush against both sides. “Is that why the others aren’t coming in?”
“I asked them to give us a minute. I thought you might wish to gather your thoughts before meeting with Petyr. Unfortunately, Tobias is not stupid, and he’s well-versed in the effects of the pretium. He’ll suspect if he sees me mounting a horse.”
The cart lurches beneath me. Callan grabs my hand, pulling me down beside him. Both of us bounce as the wheels roll over cobbled stone. “How are you feeling?”
I watch as he turns my wrist over. His fingers run over the bandage still wrapped around my skin, and he begins to unravel it as I consider his question. “I’m not sure, truthfully.”
He says nothing. But his fingers run over the raised red lines of skin he reveals. “These are new. The marks I wrapped have healed.”
I bite the inside of my cheek but say nothing in response to the look he gives me. Callan shakes his head, tracing the skin again. “I’ll get a salve from Matthias for you.”
“There’s no need. I’m used to them.”
“Friends look after each other.” He reaches for my other arm, his fingers working to unknot the linen. “Let me see.”
Callan leaves me to my thoughts, quietly rebinding my wrists as the stone beneath us gives way to something smoother. The way to the temple pops up in my mind. Packed mud, flattened and hardened by thousands of pairs of feet. “We’ll be at the bridge in a moment.”
The last time I crossed it, my feet had landed in broken glass and blood and debris. The soles of my feet still bear the scars.
“Well remembered.” Callan stretches. “They’ll take us straight to Petyr.”
Us.Not just me. I wonder what he’ll be like. “Are you much alike?”
“Not particularly.” He sighs. “Petyr is charming enough, I suppose. Quick to anger, but also quick to forgive. He’s very focused on the survival of the Caelumnai. I believe he’ll see you as a valuable ally in achieving that.”
“And if I were not his ally?”
“I wouldn’t recommend letting him know that.” Callan’s eyes examine the side of my face.
I consider his words. And then I glance around, at our undoubtedly shoddy surroundings. “Will he not celebrate your return?”
Callan’s laugh is brief. “Within the court, and to an extent. He’ll use the excuse for a lavish dinner, I’m sure. He usually does. But he prefers to keep our return as quiet as possible, though the town will likely have spottedVolatuscoming in. He worries about looting.”
And maybe he prefers not to remind people that his brother holds the key to their survival.The thought crosses my mind, but I don’t voice it. “I see.”
“I’m not going to let him hurt you.” His voice softens.
“Because of the Never.” My words are distracted, still thinking over the possible dynamics I might be walking into. Boralas made politics into a work of art. Perhaps I have learned enough to be able to hold my ground. “I’m not concerned about that.”
Something like a groan sounds in his chest.
I twist, caught off guard. “Are you in pain?”
