“Iyana,” said Sullane gently.“Talon is my best friend.And Zane is not only the man my best friend is in love with, but also my emperor.I want to save them just as much as you do, but we cannot charge in there without a plan.”
The Aztia’s lower lip wobbled.“Fine,” she said.Sullane reached for her, but she took a step back and wrapped her arms around herself.The little creature was too stubborn for her own good.
“I need to get back,” Scuti said.“I’ve been gone for too long.”Altair gave him a curt nod, and his cousin disappeared back into his shadows.
They decided to camp where they were for the rest of the night and start planning in the morning.In order to get past all the stars in Athusia, into the castle, avoid Rigil, and then to do it all backwards without getting caught would take meticulous plotting.Altair honestly didn’t know if it was even possible and, to him, it seemed like a suicide mission.
After they readied their camp for the night, Iyana filled them all in on what she had learned from the original Aztia and Kanaliza—which sounded like a lot of nothing, other than needing a ‘willing sacrifice.’As if that wasn’t completely vague and unhelpful.Sullane continued to try to console her, but Iyana was adamantly refusing his aid.Finally, she stood, muttered something about needing tea, and scurried off to the horses.Sullane watched her go, his face pinched.
“Just give her some time alone,” Kaz said.“Let her make tea if it helps calm her down.”
Altair looked at her by the horses, mixing her tea with shaking hands, and narrowed his eyes.Yes, she had fought their decision, but she’d given in far too easily.The woman was up to something, and Altair knew it would only bring trouble.
Chapter 54
Iyana
Shebrewedenoughteafor everyone and handed them all a makeshift cup filled to the brim with the hot beverage.When Iyana gave one to Emmeric, their fingers brushed, causing an electric jolt to course through her body.He peered up at her, big blue eyes full of so many emotions.Em was worried for his friends, but also for her.He felt bad that he was making her wait, but thought, deep down, that it was the right thing to do.
I’m sorry, she sent him.
Emmeric shook his head.No, I am.We’ll get them back, Mouse.We’ll do everything we can to get them back.
I know, Em.Drink your tea and let’s go to bed.
He dutifully drained his cup, then tugged her into their shared bedroll, making sure to tuck her in tight to his body.Iyana understood; he had helped her die and come back again only a few hours before.Emmeric was needing the touch to reassure himself that she was there, and she’d give it to him.Turning her head, she kissed him on the lips, not even caring that Altair was on the other side of the fire watching them.Emmeric’s shock filtered through to her.But Iyana simply smiled against his mouth, kissed him again briefly, and settled into his arms.
An hour or so later, Emmeric’s arm was heavy over her waist, and he was snoring softly.Iyana could hear the others’ deep breathing as well, and knew they were all sleeping.Gently detangling herself from Em’s embrace, she walked swiftly to the horses and began the process of saddling one.It didn’t matter that she wasn’t a great rider; she’d figure it out.
“What do you think you’re doing?”a deep voice asked behind her.Iyana jumped and spun around, her heart pounding furiously in her chest.
“Phaedros take me, Altair.You scared the shit out of me.”The star stood there, staring down at her with a frown, his arms crossed over his chest.Iyana peered around him at the rest of her group, still sleeping.“Why aren’t you asleep?”
“I didn’t drink the tea.What did you put in it?”
Iyana wrung her fingers together.“Valerian root and lavender.They’ll have a really good night of deep sleep and wake up in the morning without any side effects.”
Altair wassupposedto have consumed the sleeping draught as well.
“I thought you were up to something, so I dumped it.”
She just gawped at him.“And you let the others still drink it…why?”
He shrugged.“Whatever stupid plan you’re thinking about doing, you can’t do it alone.And while I wish you would listen for once in your godsdamn life, I understand your reasoning and I want to help.The others would hold you back.”
Iyana could only stare at him.He could be tricking her; telling her the things she wanted to hear in order to gain her trust, only to stab her in the back once again.But she wanted to believe him.Altair seemed sincere, and both he and his brother had been helping them after defecting from the rest of the stars.He’d also seen her with Emmeric and hadn’t stepped in or said anything about it yet.Maybe he was actively trying to change for the better.Iyana worried her lower lip between her teeth.
“Fine, you can help.You can teleport us there.Could you get inside the dungeons?”
Altair shook his head.“They have magic around the castle so that only certain people can teleport in and out.Since I’m a traitor now, they would have removed me from that permission.”
“So get us as close as you can.”Her ex-lover nodded and held out his arm for her to grab onto.Iyana reached for it, then hesitated.“If you fuck me over again, Altair, I will murder you.”
His golden eyes were serious as he snared her with his gaze.“I would let you.”
Iyana took hold of his arm, and they disappeared into nothingness.
TheclosestAltaircouldget them was just outside the castle walls.He said that was where the magic ended, but there still could be precautions in place that would alert Rigil that they were there.Which would have been a great thing to knowbeforethey left.
