I imagine striding back to the palace to look for Grey.
Then I imagine him snapping at me to get out of the public eye.
Malin is still waiting for an answer, so I make a noncommittal sound and reach for Mercy’s girth, buckling it tight.
He steps around his horse to look at me. “Tycho.”
I finally look at him. “Grey wasn’t even on the fields when we passed,” I say. “Callyn said the princess was fine. She was looking for the queen, so whatever happened, it’ll be shared with Lia Mara.” I pause, listening to the sound of other horses in the stable, then take a moment to cast my magic into the air, seeking . . . ?anything.
But I sense nothing. The rhythmic sound of soldiers running drills on the training field hasn’t even stopped.
I look back at Malin. “If something major has happened, there’s no sound of it.”
That seems to placate him. He sighs and reaches for his horse’s bridle, and then he swings aboard, and we’re off.
The sun beams down on us both, and we’ve reached that point in the year that I’m glad for the dense tree cover, because I’m sure the soldiers on the fields are baking in their armor. Malin is quiet today, andI’m sure he’s thinking about Callyn’s appearance. Guilt is nagging at me, too, refusing to be shoved away.
Why wouldn’t she ask for help? Why would there be flecks of blood on her skirts? It was definitely in streaks on her hands, though it looked like she’d hastily wiped it away. I haven’t seen blood like that outside of a battle, or maybe the times the scravers have—
My thoughts stall.
Scravers.
I draw up my reins and cast my eyes up to the sky.
Malin notices at once, and he does the same. “What? What is it?”
“It grew cold last night, but nothing happened. I’m wondering if there was an attack this morning—and she was involved.” I cast my magic into the air again, seeking.
To my surprise, I get a flicker back.
“Nakiis,” I whisper. A cool breeze pulls between the trees, lifting Mercy’s mane. I’ve been desperate for his return, for word about Jax and what’s happening at Ironrose. I brace myself, ready for him to slam into me or knock me off the horse or something equally violent, so I’m startled when Nakiis simply sails down through the trees to land directly on the path.
His sudden appearance is so unexpected that I stare at him, and it takes me a moment to find words. “You’re back,” I say. That wound under his ribs still hasn’t healed, but it looks like he’s been in another fight. Another slash bisects the muscle of one arm, and the gray of his skin is darker in places, like he’s bruised. “And you’re hurt again.” I glance up at the trees. “Is Igaa with you?”
“No. I told her to keep her distance.” He pauses. “Your castle in Emberfall is guarded as closely as you are here. It took quite a bit of effort to reach your Jax—and to return.”
Your Jax.My heart thumps. I swing down from my horse to face him.“Jax.Did you—is he—” I don’t even know what to say. My thoughts swing wildly between concern for the creature in front of me and curiosity about what happened to Callyn and desperation for the young man I left in Emberfall. “Were you able—are you—”
“Tycho.Here.” He pulls something small and dark out from behind one of his daggers, and for a moment, I think he’s drawing a weapon. But it’s a short twist of steel, simply forged, with smooth edges. “He gave me this, to give to you.”
I almost ask what it is, but then I notice that a single strand of dark hair is caught around the loop in the steel.
“Oh,” I breathe.
“What is it?” Malin says.
My cheeks catch fire, and I close my hand around it. “Nothing.” I look back at Nakiis. “What did he say?”
“He asked me not to tear out his organs.”
Sometimes I want to punch him. “Want to see how fast I can tear out yours?”
“He said he would be patient and wait for your return so you can ride to Silvermoon, just like you promised.”
I take a breath. Jax is well. He’s waiting. For me.
For the first time inweeks, my heart feels a bit lighter.
