Aidon’s question was light – too light, and it had Will tearing his gaze from the map they were poring over in Dominic’s study.
As promised, Will had lent himself to the search for Viviane. He had been surprised when the prince hadn’t mentioned their visit to the study. But Will had already vowed not to let such reservations stop him. Helping was the least he could do for Josie. At least, that’s what he told himself. It certainly had nothing to do with avoiding Aya.
It wasn’t as though she had sought him out, anyway. Apparently Aya was avoiding the prince too.
Aidon sighed as he rolled up the map, the rebel warehouses the City Guard had uncovered marked in red. ‘If Aya’s getting closer to understanding her power, my uncle needs to know.’
Will shook his head. There was no way in hells he would give Dominic that information – not when he still suspected the king of framing the Bellare. Will had offered to search the less likely places in the city. The places where the Bellare had no known presence. There was more chance of Vi being there than in any of those circles on the map.
‘A sign of the prophecy might sway his hand,’ Aidon continued as he sat in his uncle’s chair. ‘The rising of the Second Saint shows this conflict is much bigger than he’s been playing it off to be. It is proof darknesshasreturned, and that it’s a threat to the entire realm.’
‘And if it doesn’t change his mind?’
‘Then at the very least, it might tempt him to consider your queen’sotherproposal. I doubt even Dominic could resist the allure of his nephew being wedded to a saint. That union would ensure allyship.’
Will went deathly still, his hands gripping the edge of the desk. ‘And has Aya agreed to said proposal?’
Aidon’s mouth formed a tight line, his silence the only answer Will needed.
‘Then might I suggest you keep such notions to yourself. She’s not an item to be traded.’
Aidon blinked at him, his head cocking to the side as he propped his feet up on the desk. ‘I do care about her, you know. I just wish she’d stop holing herself up in the Maraciana and actuallyspeakto me. She’s not the only one who wants answers. Who has doubts about all of this. She’s not the only one who would be giving something up in the name of her duty.’
Will grabbed another map, this one a detailed depiction of the Old Town, and rolled it open. He’d take any distraction over having this conversation with Aidon.
‘Besides, I can’t imagine that the Saj have been entirely useful,’ Aidon continued. ‘It’s not like anyone’s studied the Decachiré that deeply since the Vaguer.’
Will glanced up at the prince, his pulse slowing. ‘What did you just say?’
Aidon dropped his legs from the desk. ‘The Vaguer. They’re—’
‘I know who they are.’
Aidon straightened at the edge in his voice.
‘Did you tell Aya this?’
‘I mentioned them in passing, but I told her not to bother. She was completely disinterested.’
Will closed his eyes, his jaw aching as he ground his teeth. Ayawouldappear disinterested, if only to keep Aidon from suspecting he had given her something she wanted. And then she’d tuck the information away until it could be used.
Until she’d be desperate enough to try anything.
‘When did you last see her?’
Aidon stood slowly from his chair, confusion written in his face. ‘Four days ago? The night Helene was killed.’
Will swore as he aimed for the door.
He’d been an idiot to think she was wallowing in her own despair. He knew Aya better than that. She didn’t hide – not like this.
‘I need a horse,’ Will bit out to Aidon, who had followed him to the empty courtyard. ‘Now.’
‘If that’s where she’s gone, it’s a fool’s errand, Will. The journey alone—’
Aidon grunted as Will’s affinity hit him, and the prince dropped to his knees with a satisfying thud.
Will threw his focus into the pain he wielded, his teeth barred as he snarled, ‘She wouldn’t evenbethere if it weren’t for you.’
