He didn’t look convinced for some reason, but still he murmured, “All right.”
A sudden wave of anxiety churned her stomach as she realized how dark it was. The wind was picking up, and the mountaintops were only visible when the lightning flashed.
“C’mon,” he said, pulling her up. “Just hold onto me for a moment, alright?”
“We’re portaling?”
“Mhm. Not sure I trust you not to trip over a rock and break your ankle, especially in the dark.”
She smiled, despite the cold fear she suddenly couldn’t shake as the sun dipped below the horizon. “That wasonetime. I did not break it, and even you said you didn’t see the root.”
His laugh was soft in her ear. She wondered if anyone else had ever heard that laugh before as he tugged her close, one arm wrapped around her waist, the other outstretched as he summoned the portal. She watched closely as the ether in the air shimmered, visible even in the dark, and just before they stepped through the opaque silver, she told him, “I portaled during the battle. That’s how I got down to you so fast.”
The next thing she knew, they were standing in the mess hall and Morgen was a few paces away, staring at her with wide eyes.
“What?” she asked, a little breathless.
He shook his head slightly. “That’s just…highly improbable.”
“What, me portaling?”
“Yes.”
“Well, it happened, so?—”
“Morgen!”
They both turned at the sound of Carus’ voice.
“Where are Sora and Vane?” Morgen asked immediately.
“Where I left them,” Carus said casually, though Nya heard the slight catch to his voice. “Don’t look so worried. I didn’t kill them. In fact, we had a proper heart to heart. I cried, it was beautiful, and I’ve taken Nya’s place as their heir, firstborn son and all.”
Nya scowled. “That’s not a thing.”
He shrugged. “Fine, you got me. Yes, we spoke, but there were no tears on my end, and Nya, you are still their first choice of heir in the very unlikely circumstance it ever comes to that. But Morgen, we need to talk.” He glanced at Nya and added, “Alone.”
Morgen gave a curt nod. “You should go find your parents,” he said to her.
Nya narrowed her eyes at Carus. She was sure, being one of his generals, there were plenty of things he needed to talk to Morgen about, but they were supposed to be on the same side now. She didn’t like that they still kept secrets from her.
“Right, of course,” she muttered, slipping away before either of them could say more.
She didn’t go to her parents, though, instead lingering in one of the tunnels off the mess hall before quietly walking to the war room, keeping her head down and eyes downcast. Sure enough, her hunch about where Morgen and Carus had been going was right. She could hear their low voices when she paused outside the room.
“—you ask if they know?”
Carus huffed out a breath. “Not directly, no. There were lots of other things to talk about.”
“Do I need to remind you thatyouwere the one who brought it up to me and suggested we murder mywife.”
Nya’s breath caught, but she didn’t think they heard it, because Carus didn’t even pause before answering.
“Not my finest moment, I admit, but you can see why I thought of it as a possible solution. Besides, it’s not like you can actually claim to care that much about her. I know you two had some odd friendship before, but look me in the eye and tell me that wasn’t a part of the ploy. At least I can say she’s my sister.”
Morgen made a noise somewhere between a laugh and a snarl. “You didn’t know that until this morning.”
“Morgen.” She heard Carus’ footsteps against the stone floor of the cavern, presumably moving closer to Morgen. “Seriously. Your marriage is a farce, and we both know it. Forcing her under threat isn’t exactly the start of something long and happy.”
