“I have no idea.”
Okab would know how to track him down, but Altair was reluctant to reveal the existence of his twin.The urge to protect him was still strong, even after all these years.
Iyana and Sullane glanced at each other like they were having a silent conversation.Several awkward seconds passed before Altair couldn’t take it anymore.
“What did you need him for?Maybe I could help.”
Again, they shared glances.Iyana shrugged.
“We’ve been finding it difficult to find any information on how the stars were banished.It happened so long ago that many of our books aren’t old enough to have any of that knowledge.But we figured that since you all were there, that maybe…maybe you know how Alessia and Theo did it.”
Altair actually winced at the names of the original Aztia and Kanaliza—the ones who were directly responsible for a millennium of torture.However, this was a question he could answer honestly.
“They didn’t share their plans with any of the stars, not even the ones working with the human resistance.Probably couldn’t risk having that information fall into Rigil’s hands.”
“Or yours?”Iyana asked.
“Or mine,” Altair agreed quietly.“Scuti wouldn’t be able to help you, even if you could find him.The only ones with answers now would probably be the gods, but they’re all sleeping.”
Iyana and Sullane immediately looked at each other.They knew something Altair didn’t, and he found he did not enjoy being the one kept out of secrets.
Chapter 39
Iyana
“Yrza?”IyanamutteredtoEmmeric.He shushed her through their bond, and she glowered at him.She hadn’t even known that was possible.
A gentle apology stroked against her mind.Don’t say any more.We still can’t trust him, Em said.
I think I understand that better than anyone.
Emmeric winced enough that Altair narrowed his eyes at him.
“What is this?”the star asked, gesturing between the two of them.“I fucking knew there was something happening.”
Iyana saw red.She couldn’t believe the absoluteaudacityof him acting offended because she was finding comfort in the arms of another man—after Altair had nearly killed her, tried to kill Emmeric, and murdered Talon.
“Whatever may or may not be happening betweenEm”—she used the nickname knowing Altair hated it—“and I is none of your business.If you can’t help us, we’re done here.”
She stood swiftly from the table, Emmeric following suit next to her.As Iyana went to breeze past Altair, he gripped her wrist.Her traitorous skin still alighted at his touch, so she decided to set him alight as well.Concentrating her magic in her wrist, Iyana pushed fire into Altair’s hand.She glared at him, hoping the flames were visible behind her irises.Altair continued to hold her wrist despite the odor of burnt flesh wafting between them.
Something close to pride shone in the star’s gaze as he finally tore his hand free and shook it out with a silent curse.His skin was already beginning to heal, the burn disappearing like it had never happened.Emmeric stood by, allowing her to deal with the situation, and she could have kissed him for his confidence in her.
“You’ve been practicing,” Altair said.
“Well, I had to.You see, somebody I thought I could trust stabbed me in the back and now I’m responsible for saving the world.”Iyana quirked a brow at Altair, relishing the shame she saw wash over his face as he finally turned away from her.She looked at Emmeric and nodded towards the door; it was time to go.
“Iyana.”
Gods help her, but she stopped.Altair’s golden eyes were filled with a passionate fire.
“I want you to succeed.If it means keeping you safe, then I will gladly return to that confinement.Please find me if you need anything.”
Shaking her head, Iyana sighed.“It’s too little too late, Altair.”
And then he let her leave.Once they were outside, Emmeric ran his fingers lightly down her spine.
“Are you okay?”he murmured, the others falling into step behind them.Iyana nodded, and she shocked even herself when she realized she wasn’t lying—it was the truth.Shewasokay.A part of her would always love Altair despite how much he had hurt her.But the sharp pain that had come originally with his betrayal had dulled, and Iyana found herself grinning at Em.
