As inbefore I left to circle The Wall of your entire Quarter while flying under constant fire.
“Okay . . .” I waited for him to go on.
“I need you to get in contact with someone. Iver. He’s a Remnant in Solis.”
I swallowed, toying with the comforter as I asked, “Why?”
“He’s been our main point of contact for the past month. He’s the male who snuck into Kira’s marking room.”
“Why do I need to speak with him?” I asked, still not clear on what he needed from me. I heard a few shouts in the background, then Callum’s frustrated sigh before he answered.
“I need you to make contact, to ensure that the last of the Remnant remaining are in the agreed-upon location on the seventh day.”
“Okay . . .” I paused before continuing. “And how will I reach this male?”
“His number should already be in your phone.”
“Wh—How?” I stuttered.
“I have my ways.” He chuckled slightly before another shout sounded in the distance.
“Okay. I’ll make the call,” I replied.
“Cal, let’s go.” I heard Axel’s voice in the distance.
“I’ve got to go,” Callum said. “Just promise me you’ll make the call and that you’ll stay out of the king’s way.”
“I will,” I replied. “But, Cal?”
“Yes, starlight?”
“Promise me you’ll be safe too,” I said softly. “We can hear the shots ringing out during the day—the shouts and cries of pain . . . and every day I worry?—”
“I’ll be fine, Raelyna. Don’t worry about me. Just make sure you get things in place with your family.”
I nodded, knowing he couldn’t see the action, before the call disconnected.
The strong, rhythmic beat of wings fell in the background as I began to get ready for the day, knowing I needed to meet my mother at the Tilted Tavern. I quickly got dressed, leaving a disgruntled fennex fox buried under my blankets as I hurried to the tavern before it opened for the morning.
It was the third day of aerial fleets from Aurum’s Army circling around The Wall.
It was the third day of theenemycircling our Quarter.
Although, they weren’tactuallymy enemy.
It was the third day in a row that the RSG had been flying throughout the Quarter, enforcing curfews.
Three days of shots ringing out from all the battle posts.
And three days of me praying that Callum made it out alive.
“You’re telling me you’veknown about this for nearly three weeks?”my mother hissed as we stood in the kitchen of the Tilted Tavern, and I cringed at her tone.
“Yes?” My voice squeaked as I leveled a stare at my mother. “Well, no. I don’t know. So much has happened, and, well, there’s been a lot going on. It’s all rather complicated.”
“Raelyna Kingsley,” she scolded. “What in Aurelia has possessed you to go gallivanting around with Aurelian spies? You know how dangerous they are.”
I sighed, a weary sigh, as I placed another dish on the drying rack before speaking. “Just trust me, please?” I asked my mother. “I know what I’m doing. I have a few other stops I need to maketoday, but please. Just . . . come to my apartment tonight. Kira and I will explaineverything.”
