I wasn’t completely at ease with the thought of letting her go alone, but I knew she was a capable fighter.
Rada’s jaw set with renewed determination as I handed her the dagger. “Adesh and the Sundered will help us. They’re furious that Deira killed two of them, and they owe Briseis and me a lot. Kyree will probably insist on joining you as well.” She took a deep breath. “Could you—”
“I’ll do everything in my power to keep them safe—and I’ll come up with a plausible cover story for us,” I said, a hint of amusement in my voice.
Her fingers came up, gently tracing my jaw. “You won’t do anything reckless, will you?”
She was worried about me. The realization floored me, and my voice softened as I answered, “Not if I can help it.”
“Good.” Despite her words, she still hesitated, her eyes searching mine. Something inside me broke. With one decisive tug, I pulled her into my arms.
My lips descended on hers, claiming her mouth with a ferocious hunger born of desperation. She responded in kind, her fingers clawing at my nape, her teeth grazing my bottom lip.
We both knew the truth: we were mortal now. There were no certainties anymore, no guarantees that we would survive this storm. I would gladly destroy anyone who threatened her, yet I had never felt more powerless. Compared to those I once commanded, I was weak. Perhaps too weak to protect her from the darkness I had created.
Our kiss slowly gentled until I pulled back, cupping her face in my hands. “Baradaz, whatever happens… I want you to know I—”
The words caught in my throat as I struggled with the enormity of my emotions. I couldn’t tell her what I felt for her, not when it would only cause her more pain if the Chiasma succeeded in killing me to seize my power.
“I am grateful for every single moment I’ve shared with you since coming here. This has been an unexpected gift. And no one knows better than me that I do not deserve it.”
“We will make it last,” Rada answered, her silver eyes bright with fierce conviction. “Remember? We decide our own fate.”
Never in my long existence had I been more determined to risk everything to make these words true.
I swiftly helped her saddle Nacin, and then she was gone, leaving only her taste on my lips and the faint scent of snowdrops in the air. Resisting the urge to go after her—trusting in her ability to defend herself even as a Human—pushed me to my limit. With a frustrated growl, I marched back outside. Right into a heated discussion.
Adesh stood in the middle of the courtyard, arms crossed as he listened to the agitated crowd. It was hard to tell which of his soldiers was the most eager to storm off toward Milford Ridge in a rescue attempt: petite Ria had already drawn her sword, tall Ursa loomed menacingly behind her, and Calder, having overcome his shock, shook his fist, his dark eyes blazing with fury.
The rest of the villagers were equally agitated. Cries and suggestions flew from the group of elders, with Mayor Brim trying in vain to calm them. Dolores held the sobbing Drakuul girl, while Ulyss muttered a string of Dwarfish curses beside her.
“Enough!” Kyree’s firm voice cut through the chaos. “Rushing in without thought will only get you killed, and Briseis and Varien as well.”
Seizing the stricken silence that followed his outburst, I quicklyinterjected, “That’s why we need a plan. And we must be extremely careful. I will scout the Ridge, determine their numbers, and locate their hideout.” At my calm words, the attention turned to me. I let my gaze sweep across the courtyard. “I need a few brave souls who can wield a weapon, but not so many that we risk detection.”
After a swift glance at the mayor, who nodded in approval, Adesh stepped up next to me. “You have our support. Dalath will not abandon one of their own. I will select a few of my soldiers, and we—”
“I will be one of them,” Calder interrupted, a feverish look in his eyes. “I have a score to settle with these monsters.”
Adesh didn’t try to dissuade him. He motioned for Calder, Ursa, and Ria to come closer, giving them instructions in a low voice.
“Where is Rada?” Tristan had drifted over to me, his brow furrowed.
“She has returned to her farm,” I answered. The chaos had settled, and a few people paused, waiting for my response. “To fetch an object the attackers desire in exchange for Briseis’s safety.” I focused on the dagger, not mentioning that my death was likely Deira’s ultimate goal. Better not give Farm Boy any ideas.
“So you do know those attackers.” Of course it was Portia Sommerhalt who had caught on to that fact, her eyes narrowing in suspicion as she approached.
“Yes.” I did not let her accusatory tone unsettle me, sticking as close to the truth as possible—always the best tactic when weaving a convincing lie. Everyone believed Rada and I had fought valiantly in the Sundering Wars, so it would be no surprise that we had enemies. “They are servants of Chaos. It seems they have a score to settle with us. The rising turmoil in the realm probably convinced them that now is the time to act.”
Worry flashed across Tristan’s face at the mention of a threat to Rada. “The object they seek—what is it?”
“An artifact of Chaos Rada came upon during the war and hid away.” My story was unraveling; there was no valid reason she shouldn’t have given it to one of the commanders of the forces of Order. Still, I powered through, hoping to distract them by focusing on the danger we faced. “They likely found out she has it and hope to use it to their advantage if there is another war.”
Tristan seemed to find nothing suspicious in my words. “Then we must ensure they never get their hands on it.” He turned to Adesh. “I will join you as well. You know I am as skilled with a blade as any of your soldiers.”
I didn’t protest, though I wasn’t pleased. If anything happened to Tristan, Rada would undoubtedly blame me.
At least his offer diverted his mother’s attention away from me. “No, Tristan. I forbid it. I nearly lost Khendrik, and I won’t—”
