What I really wasn’t prepared for was how beloved Hayle was. As we entered the fortress walls of Hamor, people appeared from thin air to excitedly welcome him home. Little old ladies kissed his cheek, and men slapped him on the back, or hugged him. Actually, a lot of people hugged him. My brain couldn’t even comprehend that level of easy affection.
Vox looked… uncomfortable, and I reached out to grip his hand. They weren’t exactly greeting him with open arms, more like with eyes of suspicion. I understood it, though—how could you not? They’d spent years being adversaries, so the Third Line weren’t just going to accept Vox into the fold like a long-lost son.
Hayle did his bit, though. Whenever he’d double back to us, or point something out, he’d wrap an arm across Vox’s shoulder with complete ease.
“I should head up to the manor and announce my presence to the Baron,” Zier told me quietly, lingering a little longer like he wanted to say more. “Be safe.”
I wanted to ask if he’d come back, or if this was him making a choice. Maybe he would stay in Hamor, as far from me as possible. Instead, I chewed my lower lip and nodded.
Hesitating slightly, he reached up and pushed a strand of my hair back from my face. “I’ll see you soon.” With that, he moved through the crowd.
I watched him go. There was an ache in my chest, like I wanted to drag him back, but I ignored it. I had no right to keep Zier with me, none at all. I’d brought him nothing but misery, and if he was smart, he’d run as far and as fast as possible.
I was distracted from the negative spiral of my thoughts by a familiar face bounding up to us, and I couldn’t help but smile.Lucio Taeme was here, his wide smile a throwback to a time when Eugene Rovan had been my biggest worry.
“It’s good to see your ugly faces,” Lucio crowed. “Well, except Avalon, who seems to be more beautiful than ever. Being a resistance leader suits you. Looking hot.”
Hayle slapped the back of his head. “Stop ogling my Soul Tie.”
Lucio smirked, completely unrepentant, but Hayle’s words had stopped several people in the street. I guess it wasn’t common knowledge yet that Hayle had found his mate for life, his Soul Tie.
The nerves I felt ratcheted up to maximum levels. They were all going to know how unworthy I was of their Heir. They’d be able to sniff out my inadequacies, and hate me. And what if they thought my relationship with Vox and Lierick was a spit in the eye of the Goddess or their Line or whatever?
Hayle’s arm dropped around my waist. “Stop overthinking. They’ll love you like I love you.”
“Honestly, they’ll probably like you more,” Lucio added. “Besides, I have a surprise for you. You’re going to love it.”
“Compliments and gifts? Really, Lucio? Are we going to have to fight it out in the middle of Hamor Hall again?” Hayle teased.
Lucio just chuckled. “After she sees my gift, we might have to. It’s pretty good. Actually, I think Vox’ll like it too, so maybe I’ll steal him from you as well.”
Vox rolled his eyes. “Unlikely.”
Lucio led us through the village to a tavern close to Hamor Hall, the residence of the Taeme family. He was all but bouncing on the spot.
I saw Leviat, his warcat, and stopped to scratch her behind the ears. “Hey, girl. Good to see you.”
Opening the door to the bar with a flourish, Lucio stepped aside. What was inside the bar made me gasp. Or maybe I should saywhowas in the bar.
Viana, Acacia, Polus, and Link were all sitting around the table, laughing. With them was Shay. I felt Vox’s sigh of relief behind me, though I’m sure he didn’t show it on his face. He’d been worried about Shay. We all had.
“I figured that if you all fucked things up too badly, these guys would become targets by association, so I invited them all to come and stay here in Hamor, at least for a little while.”
I turned and threw my arms around Lucio. “Thank you. Thank you so much,” I breathed, racing toward the table as they all turned and realized we were there.
“Avalon!” Acacia shouted, and they all stood as one. I was grabbed up in arms and hands, hugged like they’d actually missed me. It was so nice, I considered crying right there onto Viana’s shoulder, but I resisted.
She pulled back. “We were so worried about you. Where have you been?”
I laughed. I wasn’t sure they’d believe me if I told them. “Lots of places. I’m so glad you’re all right. Are the rest of the Twelfth okay? Boellium?”
Their faces grew solemn. “Come and sit. There’s a lot to talk about.”
Boellium War College was empty.
Master Proxius had cleared out the Lower Lines first, and then the Upper Lines, claiming there were some kind of toxic mold spores that needed to be eradicated. It sounded like bullshit to me, but the Upper Lines weren’t willing to risk the lives of their precious children. Well, for anything less than glory and a good marriage.
Apparently, some of the Second Line soldiers had helped sell the idea by adding in hallucinations of mold spores dripping from the walls and students lying curled in the corners, coughing up blood. It sounded gruesome, but at least it was effective.
