“What are we doing?” he asked as he touched her back.
“Help me pack,” she said fast. “We have to go to your kingdom. It’s the only way. I cannot stay in Magnice and have this child here. They won’t understand.”
Draven’s eyes were narrowed, and she knew he didn’t understand the extent of what was happening.
“What do you need me to do?” Nyssa asked her as she took her side.
Aydra turned and grabbed her sister’s arm. “I need you to go back to your room. Act as though you know nothing. You did not see Draven and Balandria. They were never here. Lex—” she stepped past Nyssa to Lex “—go with my sister. Protect her and try to keep the noise of my departure to a minimum. I do not know what will happen once we’ve left.”
Lex nodded, and Aydra hugged her tightly, feeling a lump rise in her throat when she pulled back and Lex pushed her palms against Aydra’s cheeks.
“I’ll bring your youngers to visit,” Lex whispered.
Aydra gave her a tight-lipped smile and swallowed hard. “I would love that.”
She hugged her again, breathing in the ash and fire smell of her best friend, before then turning to her sister and giving her a long hug. Nyssa’s tears stained her shoulder, and she almost choked on the words she said to her.
“Be strong for me,” she whispered, pressing her hands on Nyssa’s cheeks. “Listen to Lex. I will send word when it is time. You know I cannot stay here. You know what would happen if they found out.”
Nyssa swallowed hard and nodded. “I do.”
Aydra hugged her again, swaying with her sister in her arms as she kissed the top of her head. “Go back to your room. Stay quiet. Take your brother to the cliffs tomorrow and tell him what has happened. Do not tell him within the confines of these walls. There are spies everywhere.”
Nyssa and Lex left the room only a few moments later, leaving Aydra to finish packing her things. Draven still stared at her in silence, his mind obviously working out what was happening and why they were leaving.
“Spit it out, my King,” Aydra said as she started buckling her back closed.
“What happens if they find out about our child?” he asked in a low voice.
Aydra stopped moving, but only for a second, and then she ignored his question. “The Nitesh will check in with us. She doesn’t know how long it will take this child to come to term.”
“You’re dodging the question.”
Aydra ignored him. “I will leave a letter for my brother, explaining that I have left of my own accord, unable to stay a prisoner in this realm any longer.”
“Belwarks have already seen me coming in,” Draven argued. “They know I am here. I threatened a few on my way to you yesterday.”
Her hands dropped and she glared at him over her shoulder. “Good job.”
“What happens if he thinks I have come and kidnapped you in the middle of the night?” Draven asked, stepping up to her side. “What if they come for us?”
“Do you not want me in your kingdom?” she dared to ask.
“I do—” he paused, a great sigh leaving him as he closed his eyes briefly and his hand pressed to the small of her back. “I want you there more than I want the Dead Moons to rise,” he breathed. “I only worry of what could happen when they find out you’ve left with me after declaring you a prisoner.”
“Whatever happens will not be as bad as them finding out I am pregnant,” she argued.
“What. Will. Happen?” he growled deliberately.
“I can tell my brother and the Council that I am giving up my crown for good—”
“Aydra, what will happen—“
“—That I am banishing myself to the Forest—”
“Drae—“
“—We can be safe there. With your people—”
