Cassia grimaces. “No.”
I’m beyond lost. Then it clicks.
“You want me to stay.” My accusation is sharper than I intend it to be. “Not Raum and Aziel, butyou.”
The way Cassia’s cheeks turn red is all the confirmation I need. She’s asked them to make me stay, to remain in camp and join her at First Unit. Why would she do that? Is it out of guilt? Cassia is unskilled at apologies, and perhaps this is another attempt. I suppose it’s better than a prostitute.
Anything is better than a prostitute.
I cross my arms over my chest, mildly suspicious. Cassia has made it abundantly clear she wants nothing to do with me, so why the sudden change of heart? As far as I’m aware, she didn’t suffer any brain injuries when the Greeds attacked her. Her ego might be a little bruised, but there shouldn’t be any long-term damage.
Perhaps this is about the almost bonding. That would make sense. She’s afraid I’m going to tell her father that she placed her teeth on me. I have zero intention of doing so. Cassia is a grown woman, and her sexual and romantic life has no business being reported to her father.
Not that what happened between us was sexualorromantic.
I resist the urge to brush my fingers over my neck again.
“I have no intention of telling Aziel what you did to me,” I say.
Cassia blinks. “Excuse me?”
I gesture to my neck. “It’s between us. I would never run to your father with our personal conflicts.”
“Obviously.” Cassia pushes her hair over her shoulder, her cool mask of indifference sliding back into place. “We leave this evening for First Unit. Be ready.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
CASSIA
MY HEART IS pounding, giving away my nerves. I shouldn’t be nervous. I have no reason to be nervous. I’m Aziel’s firstborn. I’ve been managing a large team for several years, and I’m good at leading. This is nothing new.
I know how to do this.
First Unit is comprised of a little over a thousand men, most of whom I’ve met over the years. They may not be of General Raum’s status, but they’re highly respected soldiers. Several of them are from noble families. I’ve been around these men my entire life.
Why did Raum put me in charge of them? Why did Aziel agree to it?
They ordered Rexton to supervise me just a week ago. They don’t trust me, and they sure don’t believe I can handle myself within a war camp. Is it because of my injury? If anything, I’d expect them to place even more restrictions on me after I took a spear through the chest.
Is this Rexton’s doing? He claims to be against their suffocating decisions, and he went as far as to snap at Aziel whenhe entered my tent demanding to speak with me. Did he say something to them on my behalf? I’m not sure I appreciate that.
I’m tired of men doing and saying things on my behalf.
Only twenty-six other men from my camp belong to First Unit. There’s no point assembling until we’re prepared to fight, which is now. The other soldiers are coming from nearby camps.
I pack my things and meet Rexton just before the sun begins to set, and I avoid making eye contact with him as we teleport to the coordinates First Unit has been stationed at. It’s at the base of the mountain, directly beside the pass that Prince Nolic and his army will be marching through. It’s close to where I was speared.
I place a hand over my chest, absentmindedly rubbing at my sensitive, healing skin as I look around. Things are in full swing. We’re surrounded by soldiers, all of whom are moving with practiced efficiency. They’re experienced, and it’s evident in the way they set up camp among the thick trees.
Prince Nolan doesn’t stand a chance.
“Cassia?”
I turn, making eye contact with a man a few feet away. It’s Raum’s lieutenant general. Androl. I’ve met him a few times, but I don’t have a strong opinion. Thick power rolls off him, not enough to be a nuisance but enough that I know to respect him.
“Androl,” I greet him. “It’s unfortunate we aren’t meeting under better circumstances.”
He nods, polite but curt. What does he think of me being here? Was he assigned to oversee First Unit before I was given the honor? Does he approve? I shouldn’t care, but I do.
