“That the only reason you like having me around?” Jax murmurs, and something in his tone makes my face grow hot. I have the feeling I shouldn’t be hearing this, but if I don’t try to talk to Valoria soon, she’ll get swept up in another meeting and then who knows when I’ll get the chance.
Valoria leans closer to Jax, putting a hand on his chest. He grabs both sides of her waist, drawing her to him.
“I’m still your leader,” she whispers, a hitch in her voice. “You’re my subject. Nothing that happens between us will ever change that—you won’t suddenly be able to order me to make the safe choice over therightchoice, just because you don’t like seeing me get hurt.”
Jax nods his understanding, his eyes burning as they hold her gaze. I know that look. He never gave it to me, but it’s the way he stares at his blade when he’s polishing it. It’s a different version of the look he used to give his best friend, Evander, before spending any time apart.
“And in case anyone hasn’t told you this,” she continues to ramble, “you drink too much. You don’t think before you act. And you’re terribly uncouth.”
“Call me anything you want,” Jax growls, “if you’ll just tell me I can kiss you for real now.”
“I—what do you mean? For real?” Valoria’s eyes widen as Jax groans softly at his mistake. “Explain.”
“At the wedding,” he says gruffly, like he wants to get this over with in a hurry, “you kissed me—at least, I thought you did. Then Irealized you’d never been there.” Valoria starts to pull away from him as he adds, “It didn’t feel right, that kiss. Not anything like I’ve been imagining.”
“You idiot,” Valoria whispers, her eyes shimmering.
“I know,” Jax says, frowning at himself.
“You... think about kissing me often?”
“All the time, lately.”
“Suppose we should try it, then? Just an experiment—to see how it lives up to your imagination?” Before Jax can answer, she leans in to close the remaining distance between their lips, wraps her arms around his neck, and kisses him slowly.
I hastily drop my gaze to my feet, my face burning. But hearing the sounds of two people I know kissing, imagining how it looks, is somehow worse than actually watching it happen.
Someone bumps my shoulder as they fling open the throne room doors. I was so distracted by the scene inside, I didn’t hear her approach. The woman wears the plain skirt and blouse of someone from one of the poorer coastal villages, but judging by the scroll curled in her hand that appears to be damp with sweat, she’s also a messenger.
“Your Majesty,” she says briskly to Valoria as I follow her into the room. “I bring grim news from Lullin.” She holds out the scroll.
Valoria unfolds it and quickly scans it. “The Ezoran army is here at last,” she says calmly—too calmly, like she’s come to expect the worst.
A chill washes over me. They’re here. And of all the places they could have landed, the tiny coastal village of Lullin to the west wouldn’t take them long to conquer.
“According to this, they didn’t kill anyone, though,” Valoria adds quickly, looking between me and Jax as she finally notices me standingbehind the messenger. “They merely caused some damage and stole a great many things before returning to their ships.” She checks the parchment again, slower this time. “Apparently almost everyone in Lullin has the black fever. They need supplies to sustain their few caregivers, since the Ezorans took most everything of value—fresh water, furs, and meat.”
“Maybe they’re just resupplying before heading back to sea,” Jax suggests lamely, though given the dark look on his face, he doesn’t believe it.
Valoria shakes her head. “The enemy ships were spotted sailing east as Baron Stryker was finishing this letter. It seems they’re headed toward Grenwyr City, which should only take them a day’s sailing from where their ships would be right now.” She calls for one of the guards outside the door. “Summon the council and, if he’s able, Danial,” she says without a trace of weariness. “This is what we’ve been planning for.”
I don’t know how she can keep going after everything that’s happened to her lately. But there’s no way I can trouble her about strange happenings in the Deadlands and the oleanders’ warning now. I’ll have to take care of it on my own.
“Odessa, were you looking for me?” Valoria asks, meeting my gaze. “What is it?”
I shake my head. “Nothing that can’t wait.” I turn to go, but add quickly, “I’ll send Nipper with a message to Simeon to let him know what we just learned.” It’s a good thing Simeon returned to the school this morning, since Danial woke up well enough to walk unassisted. Now Valoria will have one less thing to worry about—warning the students.
“Thank you.” Valoria looks past me and waves to someone. The first council members are arriving. Returning her attention to me forthe briefest moment, she says, “Once you’ve sent the message, get your weapons ready. And then... wait for sunset. That’s when we’ll assemble on the grounds with all the soldiers we can muster.” She leans forward. “And, Odessa? Don’t you dare do anything risky in this fight. That’s an order from your queen. Remember, I know how you think.”
“Majesty.” I acknowledge the command with a bow.
“Valoria,” she corrects me at almost the same time.
We exchange the briefest smile. “Valoria. I’ll try my best.” That’s all any of us can do when it seems the whole world is against us.
XXVIII
The palace buzzes with activity as I send Nipper off to the school, a message for Simeon tucked in her collar. News of the Ezorans’ imminent arrival must be spreading through these halls faster than a wildfire.
