CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO ISI #2
“Nothing. You’ve heard my offer. I…” He lifted his hand and turned it palm-up.
Frowning at it, he generated a small flame that licked across the surface.
“I want to learn how to do more and that knowledge isn’t available to me in my own court.
” When he looked up, I saw only hope in his eyes. “Agreement?”
Trew looked at me, a question in his golden eyes. I lifted my brows, leaving this to him.
“We do,” Trew said. “Your forces combined with ours will give us time to seal the veil permanently.”
“I wish you well, then. Closing it will take away the Skathe threat, and then we can focus on Cyril.” Darvon’s expression grew grim. “My spies report that Caldrith’s army is only days from your border. They’re marching fast, they’re heavily armed, and they’re showing no signs of slowing.”
We knew this already, but the confirmation of our assessment settled like a heavy weight in my gut. Time was running out.
“We’re ready to meet them,” Trew said.
Darvon’s perceptive gaze swept across us both. “And my people will stand beside them.”
“Thank you.”
We shook hands and Darvon left to arrange his forces.
Once the guards had been dismissed, Trew sat on his throne again, this time pulling me down onto his lap.
“This alliance gives us a chance,” he said quietly. “But I don’t see how attempting to seal the veil will do anything but endanger you.”
I stroked his face. “We face it as one. That’s what we do.”
He stroked my shoulders. “That doesn’t make the fear any easier to carry.”
We held each other, stealing this moment of peace before the next crisis demanded our attention.
“We need to see Addie,” I finally said. “Then fly south.” Rest would have to wait.
Trew nodded, but his arms tightened around me, as if he could keep me safe through sheer force of will alone.
We remained in silence broken only by our shared breathing.
When we entered the healer’s room, we found Addie propped up in a sitting position, her color significantly better than when we’d left. Her silver drake dozed on the bed beside her, his scales catching the afternoon light.
“You’re back.” She tried to sit up straighter, wincing. “Did you save the prisoners?”
“We did. Eighteen chose to come here. The others took coin and left to start over wherever the fates may take them.” I settled on the edge of her bed and filled her in on everything that happened.
“You’re sure your head is alright?” she asked, stroking my arm in sympathy.
“It’s better already. Mae is with us.”
“You brought her with you?”
“Father forced her into the Day of Mercy.”
Anger flashed in my sister’s eyes. “What did you do to him?”
“Defeated him in combat.”
Her grin widened. “You conveniently didn’t mention that part of the rescue operation.”
Because it still hurt. Hating him didn’t take away the fact that he was my father. He hadn’t always been like this. I could remember him being kind, showing he loved us. He changed after our mother died.
I explained about our fight while she listened avidly, gasping in a few places.
“By showing what was happening, I gave our people something to think about,” I said. “And left Cyril to wallow in his humiliation.”
I might still be a mix of emotions, but I would no longer call him Father.
“He’s a nasty thing,” Addie said. “I imagine he’ll rise again. The bad guys always do. I understand his army is getting closer.”
“They’ll be here in no time.” After glancing Trew’s way and him nodding, I shared our conversation with King Darvon.
Addie’s shoulders fell. “He stopped here to see me, surrounded by Syllavar guards, thank the fates. At first, I didn’t want to see him, but he kept coming, so I eventually did. He was actually quite pleasant. Fortunately, he didn’t try to make me marry him. If he had, I would’ve gutted him.”
She didn’t look strong enough to fight anyone yet, but I understood the sentiment. I’d felt the same about Lord Alfred.
“We have to meet up with Lexie, Derren, and Kerralyn soon.” Addie’s gaze traveled between us. “I’m worried about Fenmark.”
“We’re leaving shortly,” Trew said.
She flicked back the covers and swung her legs over the side of the bed. “I’m going with you.”
Trew leaned against the wall, crossing his arms on his chest. “You’re not strong enough to do anything yet.”
“I’m strong enough to sit on the back of a dragon. I’m not suggesting I’ll walk to Mother’s estate, but I’m not staying behind.” Her jaw set with that familiar stubbornness, the same expression she’d sent my way all my life.
I’d worn the same look when Trew tried to keep me from dangerous missions, one that said arguing was pointless. I’d always thought she was braver than me, but maybe we were more alike than I’d known.
“Tell me what you’re feeling through the bond,” I said.
Addie’s expression crumpled. “Pain. Constant pain. He’s hurt, Isi. Badly. And I’m sitting here useless while he suffers.” Her fingers gripped mine. “I keep reaching for him, trying to send comfort through our connection, but it’s like shouting into a storm. I don’t know if he can feel me.”