It had driven him to walk the razor’s edge, close enough to learn each step while his uncle remained two ahead.
Aidon shook his head as he moved his gaze to Aya. ‘I had no idea that he was going to use Vi like that, or that he wanted to steal your power, until we were in that room. I thought he was bringing Vi in for questioning. I didn’t even know you’d both be there.’
It had been nearly impossible to keep a straight face – to keep playing this part he needed to play.
Patience, Aidon.
That patience had nearly been the death of them all. But then they had been outnumbered. His friends were in danger,as was his family. He would have done anything to protect them, and he suspected Dominic knew it.
‘Where is Josie, Aidon?’ There was an undercurrent of worry to his mother’s voice as she glanced at the throne-room doors.
‘Gone,’ he muttered. ‘I got her and Viviane out of the palace. I would’ve gotten Father out, too, but …’
‘But he came to see me last night in the prison,’ Natali said for him. ‘He was looking for a way to counteract the effects of the tonic, so you could access your power. I told him that it would either need to pass through the system, or a healer would need to use their affinity to remove it.’
Time. Aidon hadn’t had time, and he didn’t know which healers he could trust.
Our affinities are not boundless, Natali had said.We have limits.
He had them – he certainly knew that. But Aya …
Aidon gazed at the rough red mark marring her chest; the blood coating her skin. His voice lodged in his throat. ‘I wondered if your raw power might work differently,’ Aidon finally managed.
Aya turned her gaze to Natali, and the Saj shrugged. ‘I suggested motivation,’ they said. ‘Lots of it. There’s a balance to power. It’s interesting, isn’t it? How we try so desperately to fix what’s on the outside and leave the inside unattended. And yet sometimes, one does improve the other.’
‘It’s the inside wounds I struggle with more,’ Aya whispered.
He’d remembered it, too. And so Aidon had driven that blade into Aya’s chest – right over the scar she’d returned from the desert with – and gave her a single, pleading command.
Heal.
Heal, so they could fight this fight together.
Heal, so they could make it out alive.
Aya frowned at the Saj. ‘You told the king to kill me.’
Natali clasped their hands in front of them. ‘I did. Because your power is limitless only inyou. I lied when I sensed Viviane, knowing that if the source was eliminated, the king could not complete his work for Kakos. Besides,’ they added wryly, ‘I was hopeful the prince would have a change of heart.’
Will swore quietly. ‘That’s quite a fucking risk you both took.’ The words lacked any real heat, and Aidon wondered if it was the Enforcer’s reluctant thank you. Or at the very least an acknowledgement of all that had been done.
‘You have no idea.’ Careful … he’d tried to be so damn careful as he walked that line with Dominic; as he stayed close enough to let it unfold to the point where he could stop it. And even still, it had happened too fast. His uncle had hidden too much.
His mother’s hand was warm as it rested against his cheek. Perhaps she saw the agony he was trying to bury. ‘You did all you could to keep us safe. And we are. Now the rightful ruler can ascend the throne,’ she said softly.
Aidon didn’t know what to make of that. What to make of any of it. But his uncle was dead – thekingwas dead. Which meant …
He thought he might be ill. His eyes flicked to the dead guards. His soldiers. None of whom were loyal to him. Would any of the rest be?
A squeeze on his arm drew him out of his thoughts. His mother’s gaze was level – steady. ‘We will figure this all out together. But first …’ She glanced to Aya, who was helping Will stand, her power having broken through his shackles. ‘We need a plan,’ she murmured.
A plan. Because his uncle was dead, and though they were the only witnesses to it, this news would spread. Andwho would believe them when they shared the truth? Who could Aidon truly count on, besides the people in this room?
The Saj who had aided him, despite the sure death awaiting them should he fail.
The allies who had become friends.
The mother who had helped save them all.
