Natali’s head tilted in careful consideration. “I imagine if therearethose who still hold loyalty to your brother, they are keeping such allegiances quiet. Especially given there is no sign of their king. But…dissent was easily spread given the tension that arose when Aidon created the elite Visya force.”
Josie expelled a harsh breath as she scrubbed a hand down her face.
So it would be up to her to secure her parents’ release. Gods, she was in over her head. She had years of experience in political posturing, but negotiating the release of hostages? Could she do that if Aidon were not here to formally relinquish his crown?
“Has anyone confirmed my parents are, in fact, in the dungeons? I assume the Bellare want some sort of formalacknowledgment of acquiescing the throne from Aidon once he returns and will use them as leverage. Are they being cared for as proper prisoners?”
Natali’s lips parted, a half-aborted sound escaping them as they blinked at Josie.
She had never heard the Saj fumble their words before. It sent a wave of cold dread cascading down her spine as Natali’s amber eyes filled with pity.
“I am so very sorry, Your Highness,” they breathed. A fist of grief clenched around Josie’s heart, her throat aching as she tried to swallow down the fear that tried to force its way onto her tongue.
“There has been no sign of your parents since the attack.”
17
Trekking through the crowded streets of Colmur had already felt suffocating, and that was before Aidon knew the Midlands forces would happily skin Will alive to garner favor with their queen.
Now, the clay walls felt like they were closing in on him. Every stranger was a threat, every sidelong glance an assessing look that had Aidon peering over his shoulder and itching to grab ahold of his sword.
“You’ll attract more attention if you keep fidgeting like a fugitive,” Will bit out from the corner of his mouth.
“You’re awfully calm for someone who just found out two countries want his head,” Aidon shot back.
Liam snorted from beside him. “He’s used to people wanting to kill him.”
Aidon couldn’t tell if it was meant to be a joke or not. He supposed there was some truth to it. Will made enemies the way Aidon made friends, easily and without bias.
The crowds thinned the further they moved from the market, and once they reached the far east end of Colmur, the streets were empty enough that they seemed wider. Even the air felt cooler here, and not just because the desert wascrawling toward sundown.
Aidon scanned the street, taking in the homes that were built into the clay wall that continued to circle the city in an indecipherable pattern. If he had to guess, they were near the outer edge of it—about as far east as the city stretched.
The residences here were further apart, and while they were clearly more worn than those nearer the market, with their ornate carvings and golden filigree woven into the doors, these were still well-kept, if not rather plain.
Will counted the doors until he found the one Dauphine had instructed them to. He glanced down the street before rapping his knuckles quickly on the faded wood.
Aidon held his breath as they waited. Dauphine had ensured them that someone she trusted with her life would be waiting for them in the safe house, and that she only needed an hour to ensure they were ready for them. They’d taken refuge in the brothel while Dauphine had left, and Aidon had spent every second since wondering if they were fools to trust the mercenary.
The door to the safe house swung open. There stood Dauphine, her leather-clad hip cocked, arms folded over her tan vest.
Her lips stretched into a jaunty grin. “Took you long enough.”
“Of course the person you trust with your life is yourself,” Liam grumbled as he shoved past her. Will remained silent and brooding as he followed Liam inside. Dauphine shot Aidon a wink as he brought up the rear, shaking his head in a mix of exasperation and amusement.
She was clever. He could at least give her that.
The door gave way to a small entryway and rickety wooden stairs. Aidon gripped the banister tightly. He wouldn’t be surprised if one of the steps broke clean through under his weight.
The stairwell was steep and dark, but it led to a landing flooded with natural light. Aidon blinked against the suddenbrightness as he took in the large open space.
The clay walls were smooth, the outer one set with large windows of obscure glass that lent to the open and airy feel without sacrificing privacy. Aidon stepped into the sitting room, noting the plush furniture and ornate rug over the tiled floor. On the far side of the room, an archway gave a glimpse of what looked like a large kitchen, and toward the far corner was a spiral staircase that led to another floor.
The bedrooms, if Aidon had to guess.
He watched as his friends took in the space, Liam with reluctance and Will with an assessing frown as he ran a finger over the polished surface of a mahogany credenza. Several candles sat on the surface, their wicks low and tops melted. Will lifted his finger, his frown deepening as he inspected his skin.
No dust, Aidon realized.
