Chapter 49
KASE
Elin galloped into the courtyard at Claret Hall with tear-tracked cheeks and the shaft of an arrow clutched tightly in her left fist. Her other hand shook as she untangled it from the horse’s mane, her bottom lip trembling as the court turned towards her.
Kase had known the moment Hark had locked Arla away that the damage he had caused was irreparable. What she hadn’t expected, however, was that the words that came from Elin’s lips would brand that damage with a scar deep enough to mark Hark’s soul forever.
Elin spoke, and the thud of Hark’s knees hitting the cobbles was probably the worst sound Kase had ever heard.
They’ve taken Arla.
Her eyes met Seb’s. Then Jaz’s. Then Jack’s, his chin dipping so slightly she might not have seen it had she not been searching for his strength.
Everything would change now: the contentment Kase had felt in the months since coming here would be stripped away; her friends would be stripped away because there was no way they could fight this without allies.
They’d be dispersed, separated, spread around.
Maybe they wouldn’t survive it. But if there was one thing Kase owed Arla Dragonhart, it was her loyalty. Not for the fact she was gods-blessed – though that had been the final piece of the puzzle to solidify Kase’s role at Arla’s side – but because her heart was in the right place.
It always had been.
Hyacinth stood beside her, another quieter strength that gave Kase the courage to speak out over the noise of Flambriar’s leader breaking into pieces in front of her eyes.
‘Gather the soldiers.’ Every set of eyes in the courtyard panned to her.
‘This is war.’