He’d been right: the horrors she’d witnessed and experienced were worse than any he could have imagined. And that was only what she had shared. He was certain there was more.
There was always more.
Aidon braced his elbows on his knees, his body heavy with exhaustion, as if the weight of what they were facing was forcing his spine to bend.
He wasn’t sure how long he could manage until it finally broke.
“We don’t even know where they’re all stationed,” he added, irritation clipping his words.
“I do.” Aya’s confession was quiet, but it drew every set of eyes in the room.
“What?” Cole finally asked, his wide eyes squinting in confusion from his place in the armchair. “How?”
“The night before the attack in Sitya, they brought me to the commander’s tent. The maps were still spread on the table. He rolled them up a few moments later, but it was enough for me to see where they’d placed their largest garrisons.”
Aidon blinked as Aya ticked them off on her fingers steadily. Nine locations—not including Milsaio, which they already knew. Nine locations she’d seen and committed to memory in the blink of an eye.
Silence fell as they all simply stared at her. Will broke it with a huff of laughter.
“I love you,” he said.
Aya’s mouth twitched, and Aidon imagined it was the closest thing to a smile she could manage.
“How large do we think these garrisons are?” Liam asked.
“The ones we came across weren’t more than ten? Fifteen?” Will answered, looking to Aidon for confirmation. Aidon nodded.
“But those could have easily been retreating soldiers,” he reasoned. “None of those were in locations Aya saw on the map.”
“And they’re, what? Just sitting there waiting?” Dauphine asked, her brow furrowing as she met Aidon’s gaze. Even now, it was an effort not to get distracted by the green of her irises, or the proximity of her lips to his.
It was nice to know war hadn’t completely obliterated his ability to appreciate beauty.
“Gregor said they weren’t intent on staying in Kakos,” Aya murmured. She had a faraway look in her eyes, and it was distant enough to have Tyr nudging her after a moment. She blinked as she came back to herself and laid a hand on her bonded’s head in gratitude. “They could have them stationed throughout the continent to ensure other armies cannot join them when their main force proceeds north.”
“You think they’re headed to Tala again?” Liam questioned.
Aya lifted a shoulder. “I don’t suspect Evie will allow me to go unpunished, nor will she stop her crusade against the gods.”
She folded her arms across her chest, her back pressing against the wall behind her. On the surface, one might mistake her posture for nonchalance. But Aidon could see it for what it was:
Exhaustion.
Will moved infinitesimally, his shoulder tucking just beneath hers—steadying her, holding her up.
Aidon cleared his throat as he straightened from where his elbows had been braced on his knees. “I need to go home.” His voice was steadier this time he said it. “If Kakos is marching on Tala again, you won’t just needmy armies—you’ll need anyone willing to hold a sword or wield their affinity.”
Cole shifted in the armchair, a proud grin taking over his features. But Will shook his head.
“Are you sure that’s the right move? The Bellare would see you hanged,” he warned.
Cole scoffed. “You have little faith in Josie’s ability to take back the throne.”
“On the contrary,” Will objected, “I have every faith in Josie. It’s your people I don’t trust. Even if she succeeds, they may still not accept Aidon on the throne. What then?”
Will’s words should have stirred some sort of dread in Aidon, but he couldn’t help but smirk at his friend.
“Aw, youdocare,” Aidon goaded. He knew it, but it was nice to be reminded of it from time to time. Especially sopublicly.
