“I’m glad you had each other.”
Something flickered across Will’s face as he cut a glance at Aidon, but it was gone so fast, Josie couldn’t put a name to it. Yet a solemnity lingered in his eyes when he looked at her, and it was reflected in the dip in his voice as he said, “I’m glad we did, too.”
Before she could question him, another voice rang out, a voice that had Josie’s heart leaping into her throat.
“Josie!”
She whirled to see Cole entering the hall, King Sarhash behind him. A bright laugh burst from her as she ran to her friend and flung herself into his arms. Cole let out anoofas she collided into him, but he held her steady, his grip tight as he rocked her from side to side.
“Thank the gods you’re okay,” Josie breathed.
“From what I hear, we maybe shouldn’t be thanking the Divine,” Sarhash corrected as he strolled up beside them. He gave Josie a nod. “Josephine. It’s been years since I last saw you. You look well.”
“And you, Your Majesty,” Josie replied with a quick bow.
“We should move into one of the meeting chambers,” Aya called to the group as they finished their hellos and introductions. Josie glanced around the hall. She hadn’t even noticed the people milling about: Dyminara and the Royal Guard and even citizens, all tossing curious looks over their shoulders as they went about their tasks preparing for the battle ahead. “The others will be here soon, and we have much to discuss.”
She and Will traded a long glance, a hundred unspoken words passing between them in the span of a breath. It thrust Josie back in time, to a night in Rinnia in a guest bedroom of the palace. She’d seen that exact look pass between them,just before Aya told them that she was the one the prophecy spoke of.
Seeing it again had dread settling heavily in Josie’s gut.
“I just need to see to our ships, first,” Aleissande said. “One of your warriors mentioned there might be space to set up camp?”
The Dyminara who’d entered with Dauphine—Liam, he’d introduced himself as—nodded. “I’ll show you.”
Aidon sighed, his hands sliding into the pockets of his emerald-green topcoat. “If we’re about to talk battle strategy, there’s someone else we’ll need to fetch.”
Aleissande’s brows rose. “I’m right here.”
Josie still had moments where she couldn’t tell if she was joking. But Aidon rolled his eyes, affection and amusement intertwining in his voice as he said, “Notyou.”
“Oh?” Aya asked. “Who?”
65
“You look horrible.”
Aya tried to bite back her smile, but her lips formed one regardless as she shook her head. “Thanks, Natali. It’s good to see you, too.”
She should have known the Saj was who Aidon was referring to; they were, after all, the smartest person Aya knew. But it wasn’t until they’d stepped through the door of the formal meeting chamber that Aya had put the pieces together.
Aidon had followed behind them, a wide grin tugging across his face, and if it weren’t treason to hit a king, Aya might have socked him in the shoulder.
She’d forgotten how much Aidon loved drama.
Natali settled across from Aya at the long mahogany table that sat in the center of the room. Will sat by Aya’s side, his hand a steady presence on her thigh. Her leg had started bouncing as soon as she’d sat down, stilling only once the warm press of his palm brought her attention to it.
She still hadn’t quite shed the panic that filled her whenever she was in the palace, but it was worse—so much worse—in the rooms she’d frequented with Tova and Gianna. She hadn’t stepped foot in the throne roomsince that night with Hyacinth, and thankfully, she hadn’t needed to.
Aleissande was the last to arrive, and Aya watched her curiously as she took a seat next to Josie. Her friend flashed the general a small, private smile that had Aya averting her eyes.
It was good to see Josie happy. She only hoped that happiness could continue after all that was coming for them.
Aya glanced around the table, taking them all in: Nyra, Sarhash, Liam, Galda, Josie, Aleissande, Cole, Aidon, Dauphine, Pa, Mathias, Natali and…
Will.
He squeezed her thigh, a gentle reassurance. She took comfort in that gray stare, at the flecks of green that sparkled there even with the tension they all just barely managed to keep at bay.
