And Josie, of course. His sister who loved fiercely, even in betrayal.
‘They won’t accept this,’ Aidon murmured, his brow furrowed as he stepped toward the throne. The sun shone through the windows behind it, the brightness of the day so at odds with what had unfolded. ‘Our people weren’t here to witness his treason, and despite the rumors of war brewing, he’s never given them reason to take it seriously.’
‘Tell them.’ Aya’s voice was a mere rasp behind him. He glanced over his shoulder to see her brow furrowed, that look of determination that was uniquely hers settling on her features.
Aidon blinked at her. ‘You can’t mean …’
‘Tell them.’
Aidon faced his friend fully. ‘If Tala confesses to meddling in my uncle’s treason, my armies will fight this alliance,’ he said. He wasn’t sure why he was arguing – wasn’t this exactly what he had asked of Aya? But … ‘This is bigger than telling my uncle, or even my troops. This is the kingdom – the realm. We would lose the advantage in the coming war.’
Aya shook her head, ever stubborn as she stepped toward him. ‘We need you on the throne, and we need your armies and your kingdom following you. If this is the proof you think they need, then tell them.’
He was surprised to see the calmness on her face as sheshrugged. ‘Besides, Tala wasn’t the one meddling,’ she said simply. ‘I was.’
Aidon glanced to Will to find his eyes trained on Aya with a burning intensity. Perhaps he could see it too – the subtle shift that was starting to happen in her, that was unfolding before their very eyes.
‘Tell them the Second Saint is real.’ Aya’s eyes moved to Zuri, who was watching her intently. Then back to Aidon, the blue in them like ice. ‘Tell them the Second War is here, and it’s time they chose a side. They either stand against the Decachiré, or they stand against the gods.’
Natali stepped up to Aidon’s shoulder, their amber eyes fixed on Aya. ‘And so the Second Saint rises.’
79
Aya didn’t breathe easily until they’d been at open sea for three days, until the only thing they’d seen for miles was the dark blue of the Anath’s waters.
Zuri had secured them immediate passage from Rinnia. She’d written a letter herself to Gianna to alert her of their return, as well as Trahir’s commitment to upholding their alliance. She remained advisor to the king – the new king – and would be taking on correspondence with other kingdoms.
Aya was worried about Aidon – about the weight of his uncle’s actions and his death at Aidon’s hands. And while Aidon assured her that he was fine …
She knew how anger and guilt, even when it was undeserved, could fester.
Will took up a spot next to her, his arms folded on the balustrade as he stared out at the sea. Quiet. Calculating.
‘You’re worried,’ Aya remarked, her eyes passing over him. Zuri had brought a healer to them before they left. And though they had claimed Will would make a full recovery, she still found herself watching him carefully, as if she could monitor every breath he took, every wince that he thought he could hide from her.
‘I don’t like walking into a situation with so many unknowns,’ he conceded.
Because Gianna … she was still an unknown. She desperately wanted Aya to use her power, butwhyandhow? Aya wanted to believe Gianna would not ask her to tear down theveil, but she couldn’t be sure. That doubt had been planted by none other than Gianna herself.
‘I don’t trust her either,’ Aya murmured.
Will frowned at the water. ‘Lately I’ve been wondering if it’s foolish to trust anyone.’ His hands tightened on the rail. ‘I know you forgive Aidon for what he did, but you’ll forgivemeif I cannot.’
She knew his anger would pass. She knew in time he would understand, as she did. They both understood what it was to serve someone you didn’t truly know, and to take desperate actions to save those you loved.
‘He saved our lives,’ Aya said quietly.
He cut her a glance. ‘It was too great a gamble. He could’ve killed us all.’
She rolled her eyes. ‘I’m well aware, thank you.’
Will turned to face her, his arms folding across his chest as he smirked. ‘Iamcurious though. After such an impressive display of healing …’ He held out his left hand, his palm up, the scar of his Dyminara oath exposed. ‘Do you think you could heal this?’
Aya blinked at him. Healers couldn’t heal blood oaths. She said as much, and Will’s lips twisted into a devilish grin.
‘Well, thank the gods no one would callyoua healer. You hardly have the disposition.’ He dodged her punch, his hand latching onto her wrist and tugging her closer. ‘Humor me,’ he murmured, his breath brushing across her lips. ‘Unless you think your delicate healing powers aren’t up to the task. I know how you struggle withpatience.’ A wicked light gleamed in his eyes, as if he, too, were remembering how he’d had her begging for release the night before. They still hadn’t crossed that final line together. Not with the terrors that pulled them both from sleep.
Besides, Will had insisted he wanted to befullyhealed lest he taint the ‘life-changing’ experience.
