Tycho has sheathed his weapons, and he steps forward. His expression is full of wonder and shock— but no relief. Not yet. “Youarehere,” he says. He frowns. “You got my message?”
The king’s brow furrows. “I didn’t get a message from you. I got a message from Lia Mara.”
The queen draws back and looks up at him. “And you came back.”
“Of course I did.” The king touches a hand to her face.
“But . . .” Tycho’s frown hasn’t gone away. “But how? How did you know we were here?”
The king glances back at one of the soldiers with him— and I recognize the young man who’d been with Tycho’s soldiers this morning. “Fate put Leo right in our path near the crossroads. So we had advance warning.” He looks at Tycho. “Though I could feel the magic in the air from ten miles away. I knew we were headed for trouble.”
My own brow furrows. I glance from the king to the queen to the soldiers. “But Lady Karyl said the Truthbringers killed the queen’s courier.” I look to Tycho. “Yousaid the queen’s courier was killed, too. You said you found the body.”
“We did,” says Malin.
“I saw it,” says Jax.
The king straightens, looking from soldier to soldier, then looks back at his wife. She holds his gaze for the longest time, and after a moment, he runs a hand along her jaw. It’s a gentle movement, as if he can’t help but touch her again. “Perhaps the queen can speak to that,” he says softly.
She puts a hand over his and takes a long breath, letting her eyes fall closed. But when she finally draws back and turns to face us all, her eyes lock on mine. “I’ve been betrayed too many times. You, of all people, know this, Alek. I told you I couldn’t trust anyone in the palace.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. And I swear to you, I was loyal—”
“I know that now. But at the time, I wasn’t entirely sure. Someone burned down Tycho’s safe house last spring, so I knew someone would try to kill a royal courier— especially if I sent a message begging the king to return.”
I frown. I still don’t understand, and I’m sure it’s obvious. “So itwasn’ta courier who was killed?”
“Oh, no. It was. It was likely more than one.” The queen’s eyes flash with vicious vengeance, reminding me that she might be clutching at the king, but moments ago she was fighting the scravers right alongside us. “I considered your warnings, Alek. I considered how many times the Truthbringers had come close to destroying my family. I knew I would have to tread carefully, without fully revealing my actions. Not to you, not to Callyn, not to my advisers, not to my generals. Not even to mysister. So when I said I wrote a message and walked among the soldiers to choose a courier, I spoke true. But I didn’t just sendonerider to Ironrose Castle.”
My eyebrows go up. I remember our conversation in the nursery, when she told me about Lady Elisa Ruhl, how Nolla Verin spoke for her. I remember doubting the queen’s strength in that moment.
Lia Mara takes hold of her husband’s hand, and her gaze is as hard as steel, reminding me why she’s the queen. “Instead, I sentfour.”
CHAPTER 35
TYCHO
The feeling of relief about the king’s arrival is palpable, almost pulsing through the small clearing in front of the forge. Grey’s soldiers stand at ease, and Callyn’s expression has softened for the first time all morning. But even though we survived the scravers, there’s no relief in my heart. Not yet.
Because this isn’t over.
Jax moves to my side, and I realize he’s claimed any arrows within reach. His bow is still in his hand, those arrows tucked in his palm. When I glance over, his hazel- green eyes haven’t lost their worry, and his jaw is still set. Malin and Sephran are closer to the other side of the forge, but neither of them have put up their weapons. Alek might hate us all, but he’s no fool either. When his eyes flick my way, I see the awareness there.
Grey met my gaze for one long moment while Lia Mara was clutching at him, and I know he can sense it, too.
Because Xovaar isn’t among the dead— and the Truthbringers are undoubtedly still coming. Lady Karyl is likely with them, and she’s likely well fed and well rested.
Unlike us: wounded and weary and exhausted.
I quickly scan the five men backing the king in the lane. They’re vaguely familiar— all officers from the Emberish army. I glance past them toward the barn where Nakiis and Igaa waited out the attack. The structure took some damage from the lightning and falling trees, but it’s still standing— likely because all the rain kept the wood too wet to catch on fire. I have no idea whether scravers were able to get inside.
I have no idea if they even survived. I haven’t heard one word from either of them for the entire duration of the fight.
Wind swirls through the clearing, bringing a few snowflakes, the magic in the air responding to my emotion.
Am I still drawing from his magic? Does that mean Nakiis is still alive?
Grey must feel it, because his head snaps up, his focus sharpening as he looks at me. For a moment, it reminds me of every conflict over magic we’ve ever had, the way he’d question my judgment or order me not to use it. When I left Emberfall, we’d put our difficulties behind us, but that was before I’d taken control of Nakiis’s power, and I have no idea how the king will react tothis. He was already wary of my bargain with Nakiis. Without warning, the magic responds to my memories, flickering in my veins and sparking in the air. I brace myself, ready for his anger.
