“It doesn’t feel the same as it does in Kirrasia.”
“No. And it will feel different again in Nehandun. And Sunatora. So, you better be a quick learner. And what about you, deary?” He turns back to Crimson. “Any problems in Estereah?”
She blurs, moving at speed before either of us can speak again, and rounds Kalan, and pulls her knife to his throat. “Still plenty fast enough for you, old man.”
Kalan laughs, hard and loud, scattering a few birds from the nearby tree. “Fine. You’re in.”
She lets Kalan go. And he stalks back into the house, seemingly done.
“So—” I turn to Calix, who’s back to standing.
“So—”
“I’ll go with Ten and Kalan,” Crimson butts in.
“Crimson. You don’t have to do this. I know you’re not Ever’s biggest fan.”
“Stars! Aten Ciro!” She rolls her eyes at me. “Not everything revolves around your little Fifth. I’m not going for her. I’m going for my brother. And, despite how you’ve acted recently, I’m going for you. I’m a Warrior, Ten. Get over yourself.” She nods to her brother and heads back in after Kalan.
Shit.
“At least she’ll keep you honest. And you know how vicious she is.”
“Are you okay with this? We have no idea what’s going to happen, and I can’t?—”
“Crimson won’t change her mind. And believe me, I’d be coming with you if Kalan hadn’t set me on my arse. He’s right. I’m not ready. It would be a mistake.”
“You’ll heal. He said it was just a matter of time.”
“Yeah. Sure.”
“What will you do? Go back?”
“Fuck no. I’ll stay here with Kyra. And Lyle. We’ll wait for you here, and then,whenyou’ve got Ever, we can work out our next step. Together.”
“You’re sure?”
“I’m sure. Maybe I can get more out of Lyle about what happened before we were born.”
“And if we don’t come back?” It’s a possibility that I have to accept.
“I’ll raise the alarm. Two months, and the whole of the Kirrian army will descend on Nehandun. You have my word.”
That’s if my father still holds control over the Warriors and the army. But I know General Aster is on our side, and he’ll stop at nothing to help his children. He’s already proved that, despite his love of rules and order.
Two months seemed like a lifetime, though.
“My mother—” I start, thinking of how I’ve left her. Abandoned her.
“It won’t come to that.”
It’s my turn to break tradition and pull Calix in for a half-arm hug. “Thank you.”
“Hey. Keep her safe. Bring her home.”
He means Crimson. “She’ll keep herself safe.” I’m still in debt to the last favour I asked of him, and it weighs on me as I vow to do everything in my power to keep Crimson safe. Despite our differences lately, she’s one of my oldest friends, but making promises I can’t keep to Calix isn’t what we need right now.
“Come on. Time to see how our plan goes down with the others.”
