“I think Aidon has other pressing matters on his mind,” Will replied.
The king had been by to visit Aya every day, sometimes while she slept. He and Will used those times to talk. He knew how nervous Aidon was to return home, despite all he had done here for his people.
It’s different when we’re united behind a cause,Aidon had said just last night.But what if, when we get home, they’ve changed their minds?
Will couldn’t imagine they would. But he had a feeling only time would reassure his friend.
“I think he should,” Aya said, the corners of her pout twitching as she reluctantly joined in on the gossip Josie had enticed her with. “They’re good together.”
Josie shot Will a quick wink.
“A mercenary and a king,” Josie drawled. “Thatwill go over well.”
“Maybe Aleissande can convince her to join the army,” Will smirked. Though he severely doubted it. Dauphine may cross oceans for Aidon, but she likely drew the line at serving a kingdom loyally.
“Leave the love of my life out of this,” Josie sniffed.
Will’s brows flicked toward his hairline. “Love of my life? That was fast.”
“Don’t tell her I said that,” she ordered, pointing athreatening finger at him. “We may live across the realm, but I will gladly get on a ship and come back to kick your ass.”
“Is that a promise?” Aya asked, her own smug grin peeking through. The remark was teasing, but Will could sense the vulnerability beneath it. He knew Aya was dreading saying her goodbyes.
Josie’s face softened. “Of course it is.”
A knock sounded at the door. Galda strolled in dressed in her fighting leathers, as if it were an ordinary day of training the Dyminara.
Will supposed in some ways, it was. A new sort of ordinary, at least.
“Still in bed, I see,” Galda muttered, but there was a twinkle in her eyes that spoke to the mirth underlining her words.
“Not anymore,” Suja corrected as she swept in behind the trainer.
It might be the first day the healer looked somewhat rested, Will realized. It certainly was the first day her tunic had been clear of blood.
“You’re free to go, Aya,” she said as she set a handful of tonic bottles on the bed. She pointed at them while fixing Aya with a stern look. “Remember, once in the morning, once at night. No affinity use for the next two weeks.”
Two days, Josie mouthed to Will behind Suja’s back. He bit back a laugh.
Galda waited for Suja to finish and clear the room before she fixed Aya and Will with a serious stare.
“I’ve delayed all I can,” the trainer said gravely.
Fucking hells. Will should have known this was coming.
Josie cleared her throat. She glanced between them all before she stood. “I’m going to go see if Aleissande needs help in the dining hall.” She flashed a quick grin as she bolted from the room, silence stretching in the wake of her exit.
“The people are calling for a new leader,” Galdacontinued. “And to no one’s surprise, they’re calling for you,” she said to Aya.
To no one’s surprise—as if those same people hadn’t wanted her dead less than three weeks ago.
“Can’t this wait?” Will asked, irritation sharpening his tone. But he already knew the answer. Galda and their friends had kept them apprised of what was transpiring after the battle. He’d known, eventually, the trainer would not be able to delay further.
But gods, Aya had givenenough. She needed time to heal. Time to mourn.
“I’m afraid it can’t,” Galda replied with rare regret. “The realm needs stability after such unrest. It needs to heal.”
“Sheneeds to heal,” he snapped. He knew his anger was misplaced, but it demanded to be heard anyway.
