When she finally makes it to the altar, Ronan takes her hands in his and exhales, as if he was scared she'd change her mind.
I zone out as they exchange rings and vows, my mind whirling with fears of the future. Today is a joyous occasion but I can't help but wonder what tomorrow will bring. This wedding was a tool used to bring the leaders of our realm together to discuss war. As happy as I am for Ronan and Viella, I can't help the tremor in my heart that something bad is about to happen.
I'm being ridiculous. In the past, if things were going too well, it was hard for me to be truly happy. I was always waiting for something bad to swoop in and ruin my temporary happiness. What a horrendous way to live life. I've done a lot of growing and maturing over the last several months. I have quite a way to still go. This being one of the areas I struggle with most. I'm now accepting Atlas isn't going to leave me if we have an argument or disagreement over something. He's not going to toss me tothe side for someone else because I've let my guard down. Just because life is good, doesn't mean something bad is bound to happen.
Atlas squeezes my hand, bringing me back to the present. The minister has officially announced them as husband and wife and they kiss to the cheers of the attending guests.
"Is everything all right?" Atlas whispers.
I nod, offering him a smile. "Yes, everything is – "
A rumbling rattles the church. I shoot up from my seat as a few people scream.
"Earthquake!" Someone bellows, but it's not an earthquake.
I turn to stare at the city behind us and sure enough, there's black smoke. Several more rumblings erupt followed by explosions and black smoke.
"Those aren't earthquakes," Eris shoots up, eyes wide.
"We're under attack." I narrow my eyes. "They're here."
Thirty - Three
Atlas
Three more explosions rip through Tronovia. Smoke wafts up from as far north as Calmara down to the main city streets. There aren't any enemy ships in the harbor, meaning they either rode in through the forest, or they sailed in under the guise of someone else.
I bolt outside and stare in the direction of Draakstan. Thankfully, there's no sign of disturbance there.
I could run and get to Vidarr. We could launch an aerial assault and –
Thrane's hand clamps down on my shoulder. "We cannot use our dragons," he says sternly, as if he read my mind. "The enemy is mixed in with civilians. If we fly our dragons over the city – "
"We kill Tronvians," I finish what he's about to say. "Shit. Then we have no choice but to get down there and find them."
The church groans with each tremor. There's a good chance this structure doesn't hold if more blasts go off.
Shaye runs out, her hair already twisted into a braid, ready to fight. "The Hydrans. They're gone."
"What?" My eyes widen in confusion. "Why does it matter if they're gone?"
Shaye ignores my question, instead tossing a thumb over her shoulder for Thrane to acknowledge the Hydrans' absence. "I think you're right about the Hydrans. Something isn't right. There are no enemy ships in the harbor or even further out to sea. There's no indication they came from the forests to the north because we have a patrol out there. We would have gotten a warning. Vesper had help getting into Tronovia."
My mind is spinning. "Someone betrayed us?"
"Not someone," Thrane shakes his head, his brow furrowed. "Astrea Talay."
"My mother is a lot of things," Eris chimes in, her disguise still intact. "But to bring Soul Eaters to an ally's shores? That's a stretch, don't you think?"
"It seems I know your mother better than you do," Thrane's voice cuts deep and even I flinch. "We Basiliuses will head for the harbor. If the Hydrans did bring the Soul Eaters here, we will need to cut off their escape."
"I'm going with you," Shaye steps forward, rage filling her grey eyes.
"Shaye – "
My protests fall on deaf ears. She shoots me a glare that chokes the words about to spill out next.
"I will fight with my kin," she says sternly. I know she wants to have their backs, so I don't argue.
