“One easily stamped out by forces better trained than citizens turned soldiers,” Evie replied, her distraction evident in her voice as she scanned the map. She pointed a finger at the citadel. “Here. This is where Aya should lead her attack.”
The colonel frowned, his eyes traveling from the map to Aya. “Pardon me, Your Holiness, but do you mean to say that the prisoner will be aiding in our attack?”
“She has pledged herself to our cause,” Evie explained. “This is her test.”
Dav cleared his throat. “As I’ve said before, Your Holiness, I do feel this is quite the risk—”
“Your opinion on the matter has not been requested, Dav,” Gregor cut in. He looked older here in the war tent, Aya realized. Perhaps it was the firelight, or perhaps the weight of war was already tugging at the lines on his face. But his gaze was steely as he met Aya’s. “She knows the risk should she betray us.”
Evie was still staring at the map, her head cocked in contemplation. “How far can we let the Midlands advance without jeopardizing our forces?”
The colonel pursed his lips. “We have the numbers to decimate them tomorrow. Our forces are not in jeopardy, Your Holiness. We have just yet to unleash our true attack.”
Aya took a step closer to the table and studied the fortress that Evie’s finger still marked.
“You misunderstand her,” she remarked softly. Her eyes traced the streets of the city before she shifted her attention to Evie. “You wish to lure them toward the citadel, don’t you?”
Evie grinned. “I had forgotten in your captivity that you have a mind for battle.”
Aya had not. She had seen the plan as soon as Evie had pointed at the fortress. It was, after all, the very one she’d tried to enact in Dunmeaden herself.
Kill Gianna. Get to the Wall. Save her city.
Who would have thought her failure would bring her here?
“Let the Midlands advance toward the fortress,” Evie commanded, moving her finger to the area just below the walled cliff. “Let them think they are making progress. And then, when Aya takes to the battlements, let our additional forces line the hills.” She traced the hillside just beyond the camp. It would paint a horrifying picture to anyone on the ground—rows and rows of Kakos soldiers. And that was assuming they did not have a spy who had already brought news of their arrival.
“And if this strategic retreat of ours works intheirfavor?” the colonel pushed. “If the Midlands retake the fortress—”
“Then we destroy the fortress,” Gregor answered sharply. “Our Diaforaté are stronger than ever before.”
The colonel’s mouth snapped shut, his eyes darting to Aya and back to the king. Evie chuckled softly.
“You do not have faith in her,” she observed. She braced her hands on the table, leaning toward the man. “That is to be expected. But do you have so little faith inme?”
“N-no, Your Holiness,” the colonel stammered, his face paling. “I have heard whispers of your abilities, and of your pledge to annihilate the gods. You are not just the First Saint—you areoursalvation.”
What would the sycophantic fool do if he knew it was not a saint he gushed to, but a demigod, Aya wondered. When would Evie letthatword spread beyond the confines of Gregor’s court?
Perhaps it was her intention to let Aya be her weapon until the end. It was safer that way. After all, glory could wait until the gods were dead.
“I am glad to hear your faith is in the correct place,” Evie murmured in response, her body still angled toward the man. “I would hate to have to show you the cost of disloyalty.”
“Of course not,” the colonel choked out. “I will give theorders to retreat immediately. It will take time. Perhaps it’s best to wait until the fighting renews in the morning.”
A pulse of surprise rippled through Aya. She hadn’t expected Kakos to honor the organized rigidity of battle. But that was war, she supposed, designed with structured fighting and organized murder. As if killing in a systematic manner was somehow morally superior.
“Can we make it to the fortress unharmed?” Gregor asked.
General Dav cleared his throat. “I will escort you there myself, Your Majesty.”
Gregor sucked his teeth. “Bring the Seer Lorna, as well.” A muscle in his jaw ticked as he looked to Aya. “She’ll be the first body over the wall should you not do exactly as we say.”
Ah. So that’s why they’d brought Lorna. Aya doubted she would live much longer either way, regardless of how tomorrow ended; the Saj had already shared her hypothesis of the veil. What more use could she be?
But Aya nodded her understanding all the same.
It felt like second nature to straighten her spine and fix her level gaze on Evie—like stepping into a skin she’d forgotten she had in the weeks they’d kept her in the dark. But it came back easily, that cool focus and clear mind and steady pulse.
