“Fuck! We’ve got to take that boat. There’s just no other way—”
“Kira,” I say. “We have to get Kira out anyway. Let her take Quinn. She can meet us wherever it is that we’re going.”
“Where are we going, exactly?” asks Seth.
Everyone turns to look at him again.
“Who invited you?” I say. I don’t trust that Seth isn’t responsible for this somehow. I can’t shake the feeling thatwhatever we decide, he’ll get word to Adria, and she’ll descend upon us the moment we think we’re safe.
These words sting Seth more than my slap did. His expression is so wounded that I actually feel bad for him for a moment.
“Fine. I can see where I’m not wanted. Best of luck to you, your highness. You’re going to need it.” Seth bows and turns to take his leave.
Taran grabs him by his elbow and stops him. “It’s ‘your majesty.’ ‘Your highness’ is for a prince. He’s the God-King. And you’re not going anywhere. I won’t have you selling our secrets to Adria or anyone else.” These are the words Taran says, but once again, I’m able to glimpse into what he feels.
And what he feels is fear. Fearformy brother, not fearofhim.
Godsdammit. I really want to hate Seth right now, but the way that Taran just grabbed his arm to stop him reminds me so much of the first time Ronan kissed me, and I can’t help but see an echo of our love for each other beginning between them. Despite everything, it endears Seth to me.
He does have feelings under there somewhere. I don’t know how much of Ronan’s magic I’ll need to be able to sense them, as buried as they are under narcissism and sarcasm, but maybe one day I’ll be able to understand them.
“Where are we going, Ronan?” I ask. Seth rolls his eyes, but he has the sense to keep his mouth shut.
“Minar, I guess. If we can’t get out of the harbor, and the army is in the west, it makes the most sense to go south. We can organize whatever is left of the Selaran forces from there, or we can charter a ship and get help from overseas.”
Seth makes a skeptical noise.
“What?” asks Ronan.
“Nothing, it’s just…”
“Oh my gods, out with it,” I say.
“I would tell you, but someone here slapped me the last time I tried to help.”
My cheeks heat. I do feel a little bad about that. “I’m sorry, alright? Just fucking tell us what’s wrong with Minar.”
“It’s just that I spent some time there recently. The support for Ronan is weaker than I think you realize. House Juni is behind him, of course, being Queen Claudia’s House, but the minor houses are less convinced. House Faber has been a great help to us, and they’re nearby in the Irai Oasis. When Faros falls, there’s a good chance much of Minar will turn in support of Adria’s claim. Not that she has a valid claim, but you know what I mean.”
Ronan, Taran, and I glance at each other. Adria does have a valid claim because of their deception regarding the duel with my father, but Seth doesn’t know that. Does he?
No, I don’t think he does. Ihopehe doesn’t.
“There aren’t many other options. Adria holds the river, the sea, and soon the city…” says Ronan. The sadness in his voice guts me. He’s about to loseeverything.
“But not Pyka,” says Seth.
Our home. The place I was born, the place we lived until it was taken from us. It’s part of Nithyria, but it’s occupied entirely by the Orsa, the enemy of the Nithyrian people.
If there’s one group of people that would never betray Ronan to Adria, it’s the Orsa.
“There’s a port there,” says Ronan. Then he wraps his arm around my waist protectively. “But you won't be safe there. Neither of you. The Orsan grudge against House Verran goes deep.”
Seth shrugs, gesturing around him. “I don’t know. I’d say we’re pretty good at making friends with old enemies.”
Taran shakes his head. “I can keep them from killing you on sight, but youwilllisten to me and do as I say when we get there.”
“Of course. How could I ever consider opposing one of the very same people that occupy the home I was born in?”
