My lip curled. “Ew. Sounds like you want to fuck your sister.”
Ennis snarled at me.
“You know, I wondered about that, too,” Samkiel quipped.
We must have hit a sore spot because Ennis charged, and screams split the air.
57
ISAIAH
More ships floated across the sky, the town below being sectioned off as soldiers touched the ground and began their search. I knew they weren’t just here for the medallion. I never understood Nismera’s obsession with Vincent. It wasn’t love. After everything that had happened, I suspected she was incapable of that emotion. So, her sending this many ships after him and the witch who betrayed her told me one thing. Whatever power that medallion possessed, it was important, and she desperately wanted it back.
“Dianna just had to cause a scene,” I said.
“I don’t think it’s just Dianna.” Kaden sneered. “They had to be in the area already.”
“Nismera really wants that medallion.”
Kaden only nodded. We moved along the outer city wall but saw no sign of the witch or …
My thoughts died when I saw the enormous warship in the distance, recognizing the intricate design along the side. That was Milani’s warship. If Milani were here, that meant she was too. Excitement fizzled through me, and everything receded. Nothing else mattered.
Kaden caught my eye and shook his head. “Isaiah. No.”
I held his gaze, resolve settling into my bones. “I have to try, Kaden.”
Adrueth soldiers shoved their way through the city, searching every shop and every home, leaving nothing but destruction and chaos in their wake. Kaden and I had fought over this, and I wished more than anything that I could explain my need to get to her. Fuck, I wish I could explain it to myself. The woman hadn’t even spoken to me. She couldn’t, but I couldn’t help how I felt. And gods above, I wished I could. I knew it seemed stupid to him, and maybe it was. It embarrassed me that I cared for someone who, if they got their mind back, would probably hate and despise me as Essa had, yet every cell in my body screamed for Imogen.
Go! Run! Get her! Get her!
Kaden searched my face for a long moment before cursing. “Fine,” he growled deep in his throat.
“Fine, what?” I asked, my gaze flicking toward the ship again, feeling the pull and eager to find her.
He threw up his hands, clearly resigned. “Let’s go.”
I arched my brow. “Let’s? You’ll come with me?”
I couldn’t keep the exhilaration from my voice. He was agreeing?
“Yes,” he said, frowning. “Now shut up and go before I change my mind.”
“What about the medallion?” I asked, watching the winged adrueth soldiers jump from the ships and soar over the city as they continued to search. We didn’t know what the medallion did exactly, but we both knew that if Nismera got ahold of it again, we were all fucked.
Kaden looked at me and shrugged. “If I have to choose between the world and my brother, it will be you.”
Kaden and I fought like beasts at times, and in the past, we’d both said hateful things we didn’t truly mean. But there was one indisputable fact between us. Since the day we’d entered this world, it had always been the two of us looking after each other. He had given up so much for me, and here he was, prepared to do it again. If I tried to hug him, he would call me insane and change his mind. Any words of affection would make him recoil, so I just gave him a quick nod and smiled.
“Follow my lead then,” I said, taking on the form of a small feathered beast native to Goldpass. Kaden rolled his eyes and let out a deep sigh before changing. We took to the skies, soaring straight for her ship. The clouds surrounding it created a haze we could easily pass through undetected. As we drew closer, I saw an open port. Soldiers launched themselves into the air, and I charged ahead, my tiny wings beating frantically.
We easily slipped onto the warship in our bird forms. Once inside, we changed again, matching our appearance to that of the adrueth soldiers filling the craft. No one paid us any attention. Everyone was too focused on their orders. We tucked our wings tight against our backs and strode down the corridor, the inside a maze of twists and turns. I’d only been inside Milani’s ship once, for a meeting ages ago. I’d forgotten how massive it was, a small fucking city built to fly at light speed. It would be impressive if she weren’t a whiny, self-absorbed twat.
Kaden waited until another command came over the intercom before he stopped in a section nearly clear of soldiers. “Go north. I’m going to check the east side. If you find her, grab her and flee. Shout through the bond, so I know to follow,” he said in a low voice.
I nodded, my hand reaching out and clasping his biceps as he turned to leave. “Thank you for this.”
He sighed in exasperation and glared at me. “Just hurry up. I don’t want to be here all damn day.”
