But today, I let Mercy amble through the sunlit grass as I determine what to say.
Jax, I’ve been ordered to leave. Rhen wants you to join us.
That sounds like I don’t want him there— or like I’m only inviting him because I’ve been ordered to it. And Jax hates Rhen— he definitely won’t want to go if he knows the prince ordered it.
Jax. I’m going to Gaulter. Would you . . . like to join me?
That sounds like I’m inviting him to a lover’s tryst, not on a group mission to investigate treason.
I hate this.
Jax. I miss you.
I definitely can’t say that.
“Hey,” a voice calls from somewhere off to my left. “Tycho.”
I glance over to see a chestnut horse peeling away from a group of soldiers that look like they’re returning from patrol. As the ridercanters toward me, I blink in the evening sunlight and recognize Malin’s compact frame and dark hair.
A smile forces its way onto my face, breaking through my exhausted tension. I lift a hand in greeting.
“Well, well, well,” I say as he draws close. I peer at the new insignia on his shoulder and whistle low, through my teeth. “Look at those stripes.”
“Shut up.” But I can tell he’s pleased.
“Remind me— are you a commander now?” I tease. “Wait. No. Ageneral?”
“I’m going to knock you off the horse.”
“That sure doesn’t sound like something an officer would say.”
He grins. “I’m going to get a recruit to knock you off the horse.”
That makes me laugh. “How is it,Captain?”
“More work, but I can order Seph around now, so there’s that.”
Sephran— his best friend. Or at least he was before we went to Syhl Shallow. But I’ve noticed that Sephran and Jax grew close during our absence.
Veryclose.
The smile must fade from my face, because Mal’s gaze narrows a bit, as if he’s trying to figure me out. His voice, however, is neutral. “You’re in new gear yourself.” He nods at my armor.
“Yeah,” I say, though my new livery doesn’t bring the same joy as his new stripes. For years, I wore the black of Syhl Shallow, and my armor was trimmed in silver and green. The breastplate was emblazoned with the crests of both countries, indicating my allegiance to both. Grey’s own armor was similar.
But three days after we returned, the king showed up in the arena with a new breastplate. Still black, but no green, no silver. One small crest over his heart, backed with the gold and red of Emberfall alone. I opened my mouth, but he held up a hand and said, “Go see the armorer. Yours is ready, too.”
His tone was so gruff that I didn’t say a word. Once I got my gear, I understood. Donning the new armor felt very final. As if the division between our countries is permanent.
“Where were you headed?” Malin says.
“To look for you, actually. We’ve been given new orders.” I tell him what Rhen and Grey said, and the reason we’re being sent to Gaulter. “He said for you to choose two soldiers to join us.”
“He’s worried about scravers.”
“He is.” I hesitate, wondering how this will go over. “Prince Rhen told me to bring Jax, too.”
Malin’s eyebrows go up, but then he grins. “I’m sure you weren’t complaining.”
