The king's jaw popped open at that, finally seeing the benefit of his own mother's words. Everyone turned to stare at me so I was grateful when Zya voiced the question in my own mind.
"Is it possible?" Zya asked, breathless. "To remove the false bond?"
"I've never heard of it being done," the old woman replied, sadly. "And even if she were to succeed, she may very well not find a soul bond at all. Or, perhaps, find herself soul-bonded to the same partner Lemnus chose for her. The gods work in mysterious ways and Lemnus has always been quite cunning, despite his own arrogance.”
Her gaze trailed to Dante and the room seemed to hold a collective breath.
My mind was reeling as I fought to come to terms with everything I was learning. There were gods, true gods, beyond the Geist, who had names and were the reasons for our different abilities. But were they actually real or just a manifestation of what this woman and fellow believers saw in the world around them? Did this Goddess Rhene truly destine me for another?Did it matter? I was my own person. I made my own decisions. I'd never listened to the gods before, never cared what fate they claimed to have in store for me. I didn't see why I should start now.
Then again, if this soul bond could provide another warrior with the corruption in this war against the Geist…
The room descended into talk of strategy as I turned toward the general to discuss the idea of a second darkness wielder with him.
But the general was gone.
Chapter Forty-Three
Dante
“Father speaks of the end more and more these days but, whether he is referring to the increasing odds of rebellion or something else, I cannot say.”
— From The Official Record of House Avus, As Recorded by Atticus, Son of Eximius
Aday later, I'd refused the captain's invitation to spar, citing soreness from having my ass so thoroughly handed to me by the enraged general. Roman hadn't been pleased but he hadn't argued either. Instead, he'd informed me we'd be setting out again this afternoon, making our way toward Pavos. At least, the captain and the spy would. I was now assigned to Adrian's group since the king was convinced whatever bastardized bond still existed between us made her stronger. He wasn't interested in taking any risks where his weapon was concerned. As a politician, I couldn't blame him. As a soldier, I hated him.
Sanctuary would be the harder battle. Every inch would be gained through fierce and determined bloodshed. Pavos was a direct assault on powerful gods, of course, but it was also a distraction. Roman could command his forces to pull back andflee at any minute, minimizing casualties as best as he could. Sanctuary would be a fight until the wards fell, and maybe after as well. Or, if Adrian couldn't bring them down…
I shuddered. Why hadn't the prince’s godsdamned grandmother Seen anything about that? I was still reeling from the realization that the old woman who'd approached me with cryptic words and even more terrifying warnings was the king's own mother. I'd dismissed her before, as an elder who'd long ago lost her wits, but now I couldn't help but play back every word she'd said to me in my mind, over and over again. Maybe it was a good thing Adrian could no longer hear my thoughts.
I ate my breakfast by the window until I saw her and the general practicing with her magic in the garden below. He circled her with his jaw set, scowl firmly in place as always, criticizing her stance, her gestures, even her breathing. I saw the well-aimed kick coming before he did and snorted into my tea when he bent over with a growl, clutching his stomach while Adrian tossed her hazel locks over her shoulder and stormed inside.
"He told you we were leaving?" a familiar voice asked from behind me.
I didn't have to turn to know it was Ksenia. Phantom prowled toward me, blocking my view out the window as he took to sunning himself on the ledge.
"This afternoon," I replied, sipping my tea and turning my attention back to the window where I could just see Roman leading a group of guards in morning exercises beyond the sight of Phantom licking his massive paw. "Don't slobber on my curtains."
His red gaze flicked to mine and I could have sworn his eyesrolled.Setting down my tea, I stood and turned to find Ksenia watching me, arms crossed and lips set in a deep frown.
"What?" I asked, wary.
"I don't like separating like this," she replied.
"Growing soft on us, spy? I didn't realize you'd gotten so attached to me."
"I'm not. But you're important to her."
"Which is why I'll bewithher."
"Exactly. Both of you, together, far away from where I can defend you."
"You defend us by keeping the gods so busy they don't notice us sneaking in their back door. You protect us by keeping word of the attack from getting to them until the city falls. And you trust those going with us to do the rest."
Her frown deepened.
"That's the thing," she muttered. "I don't trust who's going with you."
I hesitated, thinking I might know exactly what she meant. Our eyes met and some unspoken meaning passed between us.
