Ky’s expression twists, revealing a flicker of sorrow behind all his lethal aggression. I remember the last thing he said about the Suross, just before he rode down the hill.
They’re still my people.
And they don’t want his help.
“We’ll leave,” I say. The Draeg soldier hasn’t made another sound, and his eyes have rolled back in his head. It also looks like he’s soiled his trousers.
“Now,” says the woman.
So we go.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
The Princess
As we ride, the king’s manner is tense and uncertain. It’s clear that he and his men are unsettled by the Draeg soldier, especially considering that the man was alone. But they found no evidence of others—though the Suross people were quick to chase them out of their settlement. We couldn’t searcheverywhere.
“You didn’t tell them who you were,” I say to Ky once we’ve made some distance from the attack. We’re all damp and soot-stained and exhausted, so it’s the first thing I’ve said in an hour.
He hesitates, then shakes his head. “No, Princess.”
“Why not?”
Captain Zale glances over, but the king keeps his eyes on the terrain. “It would not have helped—and in fact it may have agitated them further. They barely recognize my rule.”
I think about that for a little while. “Couldtheybe working with Draegonis?” I say. “Or someone among them?”
He shakes his head. “They’re not a warring people,” he says. “It’s more likely that he knew we were nearby, and a fire would draw me out...which it did.”
He sounds rueful, like he’s angry he was caught in a trap—and I suppose we were.
“How do you think he got past the border?” I say.
“I have dedicated patrols,” he says, “but they’re not limitless. I cannot guard the entire border between Incendar and Astranza. I don’t have enough soldiers—and of those I do have, they’re more desperately needed at the border with Draegonis.”
It takes me a moment to figure out what he’s saying, and when I figure it out, I gasp. “You think he came through Astranza?”
“I do.” He pauses, and this silence is grave. “He attacked while wewere worried about Hunters on our trail. That’s too much of a coincidence.” He pauses. “I worry that Draeg spies have already breached Astranza’s borders, and I suspect that he—or his superiors—are behind these falsified assassination orders.”
At that, Asher looks over. “You think they infiltrated the Hunter’s Guild.”
Ky nods. “Possibly.”
Charlotte speaks up from beside me. “Master Pavokwasquick to point the finger at Draegonis.”
I look at her in surprise. “Yes,” I say, putting it together now. “He laid the blame at Asher’s feet. Was it reallyhimall along?” I look at Asher. “Could that be true?”
He considers. “I’ve only been a Hunter for a few years. Master Pavok wasn’t sharing secrets with me. I was gone for so long anyway. It’s not like I would’ve been privy to any dealings with Draegonis—”
He breaks off, his face twisting in thought as if he’s solved a puzzle.
“What is it?” I say.
“I was gone for months,” Asher says, musing now. “Maybe Pavok would have denied these orders from anyone—but my return from Morinstead gave the Guild a golden opportunity to accuse Draegonis and pin the blame on me.”
Ky glances at him. “Exactly.”
I roll these thoughts around in my head. “IknewDane was committed to this alliance,” I say, and despite how terrible my brother can be, it’s a bit of relief to know that he wasn’t behindthis.Astranza still needs this alliance—and so does Incendar. Dane is still working to the benefit of both countries.
