"Waiting for a signal," the sergeant blurted."From inside the palace.Someone's going to—" He stopped again, fear warring with loyalty on his face.
"Someone's going to what?"
"Open the gates."
Nyraxa's blood went cold.
Someone inside the palace.Someone with enough access, enough power, and enough treachery to open the gates to an invading army.Handing the Borjigin to them on a silver platter.
The viper.
The one who signed her letters with a serpent's mark.
"When?"Nyraxa demanded."When is the signal supposed to come?"
"I don't know; only the general knows."
She rose, sheathing her knife.
"Thank you for your cooperation."She cut his bindings and nodded to Yelena, who emerged from the shadows behind the sergeant."My associate will see you to the border.If you're smart, you'll keep running."
The sergeant nodded frantically and scrambled up to leave.She watched him stumble, and she sighed.
“What is it?”Yelena asked, eyeing her warily.
Nyraxa sighed again.“He’s too handsome to die.”
Yelena made a sound of disgust and threw her dagger.It embedded in the back of his head, and he went down.
An hour later, a raven flew from the darkness toward the Valthorne camp, a message tied to its leg.
Orda moves in 3-4 days.Someone inside plans to open the gates.Will investigate.—N
In the command tent, Ragnar read the message, folding the paper and leaning back in his chair; his eyes met Thane standing behind him.
"We move tomorrow.At dawn.Thane…”
His general glared at him.Ragnar couldn’t help but feel helpless.How long would his sulking last?
“What is it?”
"You're not thinking clearly.You haven't been since the alcove.For Tengri’s sake!You’re forcing us to stand prematurely against Orda Naiman’s forces all for a woman who—"
The temperature in the room dropped.
Thane stopped.
"Finish that sentence," Ragnar dared him.
Thane's jaw tightened."Great Khan.You're standing too close to fire.You can't see straight around her.You refuse to see straight!She doesn’t even give a shit about you!”
Ragnar looked down at him.Whether or not Azul cared for him was not going to dictate his actions or his loyalties.“Artur Thane.You forget yourself.”
Thane felt his heart shudder; his name hadn’t been called for over a year.
"Why do you doubt me?You have known me the longest.You are the man I trust with my life."
He looked guilty, but Ragnar’s manipulation wouldn’t work so easily."You think with your heart when she's involved.You know you do."Thane's voice softened, just slightly."I'm not blind, Ragnar.I've seen the way you look at her."
