Page 404 of Commanding Scythe and Sky

“The King, The Bastard, and The Prince,” Freya pondered. Kade nodded. “Compliance, Zealots, Hadriana loyalists.”

“It’s a working theory.”

“And a good one,” August decided. “Kade, can I ask you something?”

Kade shifted on his feet as he turned to August, his hands sliding into his pockets.

“Are you okay? You don’t seem like yourself today.”

The king forced a smile that convinced no one. “I lost my second.” Freya sucked down a breath as the man rocked on his heels. “In a skirmish between Renown and Bellpost souls—the former calling death to the heretics, and the latter turning on their brothers.”

“Hence the theory,” she deduced.

Kade’s throat bobbed, and when I glanced at my mate and her brother, their eyes were fixed on his. “Hence the theory.”

“I’m sorry for your loss,” August said sincerely.

“Thank you.”

“This alliance is a two-way street, Kade.”

The king shook his head. “You saw them in there—this alliance ends the moment the portals seal. I’m barely tolerated as it is.”

“I didn’t say their alliance—I said this one,” August clarified, setting a hand on his shoulder.

“Thanks,” Kade said tightly. “Call me when we move.”

August simply nodded, and the three of us watched him dip his chin and turn to leave. Emeralds met jades, and then without a word, Freya dipped her chin and followed suit.

“Get some rest,” August ordered, knocking his elbow into mine. “We move as soon as we hear from Vesper.”

“Yeah,” I said, gritting my teeth to avoid snapping at clearly being cut out of whatever unspoken thing had just passed between them. He turned back for the remaining souls within the war room, and with a sigh, I headed after Freya.

Cali caught me in the foyer, cuffing me upside the head.

“Ow!” I protested, lifting a hand to my hair. “What the fuck, Cal?”

“Can you two just kiss and make up already? It’s distracting.”

“Fuck off,” I bit out, glaring at her even as she smirked.

“We could all be dead in twenty-four hours, little brother. Nobody has time to waste.”

Fuck if that wasn’t truth. “We’re… patching things up.”

“Yeah, well, if I have to sit beside the two of you in heat while you stare at her with those puppy eyes for one more goddamn meeting, I’m gonna kick ya both over.”

“I do not stare at her with puppy eyes.”

“Yeah. Okay.”

“I don’t,” I insisted.

“Listen, who the fuck knows if this plan will work, especially with Reyna being all twatty. But it’s September, which means the veil is thinning, which means the window for absolute chaos in this war is comin’ in hot. I don’t wanna think about it any more than you do, but if you haven’t told her you love her by now, you might not get the fuckin’ chance.”

The words hit hard enough to make me step back. Scowling, I blinked down at her. Truth was, I wasn’t entirely convinced I could… well, do that.

“You’re an idiot,” she decided, words a little lopsided. “An adorable, very lovesick, idiot.” When I flipped her off, she just shoved me sideways, grumbling when I didn’t budge. “Look, Cy, I was chattin’ with her and I realized somethin’.”