I gnawed on my lip, worried.
"Aenir might have been attacked," Reese added. "It's time to report to King Ailithir and offer them aid. And we need to spread the word that people are behind these attacks, even if we don't yet know who."
I glanced back at the dingy inn we'd rented to hide from the Solhearts. How many had been a part of the attacking force?
Only Quinn, I imagined. He'd been different from the two nobles who'd harassed me in the inn. Though Quinn had every right to look down on me, he'd met my eye with respect. If anything, he'd looked up.
My head hurt too much to think about the grander implications of this revelation—even if there was good news within.
If the monsters arrived at man's command—I was not to blame for the black tide.
Just as I pulled my eyes from the inn, its door flew open, and a beautiful Solheart woman stepped out. In my fogged vision, she seemed blurred by a radiant halo.
"There you are!" Bláth called.
Liam was a step behind her. The weight of the world fell from my shoulders, and I could again breathe.
My little brother jogged down the steps, dark coat dusted with snow—but not blood.
He stared daggers at Reese. "Why does my sister look like shit?"
I smiled, despite myself. Even if I lay dying, my brother would only offer acerbic words.
Reese stopped. "She's injured. We need to go, now." He glared at Bláth. "Where's Ferris?"
"Yes, well, about that. . . " Bláth paused beside me, laying a hand on my leg. "Are you okay, hun?"
Warmth rushed through my limbs. I nodded. "Despite Liam's attempts to slander me, I'm fine."
"Bláth," Reese said, an edge to his voice. "Where's Ferris?"
She tucked her hands in her pocket and danced to his side. "He helped Diar escape and steal Siotha again. So, he's in the dungeons."
I closed my eyes and rubbed the bridge of my nose. When nobles offended their foreign allies, recompense and a formal apology were demanded from the ruling sovereign.
It had happened more than a few times between Aenir and Muirashi. King Ailithir would be furious, just hopefully not at me.
Liam untied his elk and pulled it away from the inn. "For what it's worth, Ferris looked rather proud of himself as they dragged him away."
"Oh, I'm sure he did." Reese sighed. "He'll be safe here. They won't hurt him."
But they would hurt me.
"Still," I croaked. "I can't leave my prince behind."
"You can, and you will," Reese said firmly. "We've broken enough laws." He paused. "Do you have a ride, Bláth? Because I'm not giving you one."
"You're such a gentleman.” Bláth's voice dripped with sarcasm. "My horse bolted during the attack." She glanced at Liam, lips curling into a smile. "I guess we'll have to double up."
Liam shot her a withering glare. "You're not riding with me."
"Aren't I?" Bláth slipped around Lady and deftly mounted Liam's elk. She wiggled in the saddle, making a show of getting comfortable. "I have more news, by the way."
Eyes closing, Liam rubbed his forehead. My poor brother, forced to ride with a beautiful Solheart. The tragedy.
"What?" Reese asked.
"Paragon Agendra sent word, just a few hours back. His fort withstood their assault."
