I understand your sacrifice,I told him.You are braver than the others.
He stiffened and, for a moment, I was alone on that mental bridge, unsure if the creature had even heard me at all.
Then came the answer, in a male voice that seemed so much younger than I'd imagined.
For her. I am brave for her.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Dante
“I fear this is the end, my friend. There are so many of them and we can’t seem to agree on anything long enough to stand together these days. Should our Houses fall, I will wait for you beside the gods.”
— A Letter from Julian, Heir of House Lynx, to Atticus, Heir of House Avus
It was decided, once Adrian had finished her strange conversation with a wild horde of the most dangerous beasts in the world, that the general and his band would camp outside the walls tonight while Roman, Ksenia, and I were admitted to the city. Undoubtedly, Prince Leo would be wanting a debrief on everything that had occurred since we'd left before he admitted his guests and heard their request. I went along with the Captain and the Spy, concerned about my safety should I remain behind in the camp instead, and tried to push the strange sight of my former partner kneeling before that massive scarred Zver from my mind.
They'd spoken to one another, I could feel it. I hadn't heard any of what they'd said, just like everyone else. But there wassomething about that moment, a little tingle of power at the back of my mind. Like I could feel when they spoke and when they stopped. I could feel certain emotions surging in the air, shock and unease and camaraderie, but I couldn't hear the words, couldn't grasp the significance. It was the same feeling of having a word on the tip of your tongue but not being able to recall it for the life of you. An entirely odd sensation.
"What the hell was all that?" Roman hissed as we passed through the gates, guards on either side of us shuffling about much more nervously than they had when we'd left. Their eyes kept darting out into the sands where campfires dotted the space before the gates and tents had recently been erected.
"She drew the wild Zver out from their dens," Ksenia answered, her voice hushed with awe. "We've been searching for them for centuries and have only caught brief glimpses here or there of one or two. We've never seen them in such numbers and so fully. But she drew them right out. Just by…touching the wall."
"What does it mean?"
"I don't know, but Leo will want to hear about it."
Roman nodded, having obviously already decided that himself.
They fell quiet as we passed the last guard gate and emerged into the city. Phantom padded by Ksenia's side, seeming more solemn than usual. Ksenia must have picked up on the shift if the way she kept glancing in his direction was any indication. The Captain nodded to guards and soldiers as we passed, frowning all the while.
It wasn't until we reached the palace that either of them began to relax. Ksenia sent a servant running after the prince before we'd properly entered the foyer and we were met with the same servant informing us he was in the throne room before we made it to the dining hall. Striding down another long hallway, wepassed chattering nobility and rushing servants who skittered out of Phantom's way, whispering and muttering amongst themselves as we went by. Roman and Ksenia must have been used to the staring, but I wasn't, having spent most of my time here before holed up in my room. So I found myself glaring back at anyone who stared my way, a clear challenge in my gaze.
I'd passed the gods' Trials, been trained in their city, crossed the desert twice, and survived the reunion with my partner. There was nothing these prattling nobles could throw at me which I wouldn't be able to face. Besides, they reminded me of home. And I'd hated my home.
"There they are," the prince announced the moment we pushed through the giant carved doors of the throne room.
I looked up from gaudy white and black checkered marble to see the man himself pacing before a throne. Upon the plush burgundy velvet seat sat an older version of the prince with a scowl on his face and a crown on his head. The blonde curls that Leo sported were turning white and collapsing against his scalp. The sharp brown eyes were dulled and the lips pale with age but the familial resemblance was uncanny. This was the king.
"Your pets have returned," the king grumbled, eyeing us with distaste.
The Captain and the Spy both went to one knee in front of me so suddenly I nearly tripped over them. I didn't bow. This was not my city, these were not my people, and he was not my king.
He eyed me at my defiance, lip curled.
"This is the Betrayer?" he snapped.
I resisted the urge to flinch, glaring right back at him.
"Father—" Prince Leo began in a soothing tone.
"You know how I feel about his sort, son," the King snapped. "Fallen are one thing. Betrayers another. I don't want him in my city."
"He has valuable information about the Geist. He's lived inside their city, trained with their men. He was in Valin's own squadron before—"
"Before yourspybrought him to us without being ordered to."
Ksenia dipped her head.
