“You sense something?” Casimir asked.
“Two things. This is related to Ava and Thorne’s father burning texts. And the answers lie in Caelestia.”
“Casimir,” said Jorrar. “The connection between Caelestia and King Vardan…did you know your father was good friends with Ava’s father?”
That was news to Raine. He had no idea. But that had likely been before he was born, so he couldn’t have known. In fact, the only ones in this tent who might remember were Jorrar, Kai, Thalia and Aelerion. The rest of them were much too young.
“Are you saying my father knows something?” Casimir asked.
“Maybe. Maybe not. But he and Vardan were close.”
“They were also close to Valeria and Eros before he died,” said Thalia.
“Good riddance,” Aelerion said. “That man was a monster.”
“Who’s Eros?” Ava asked.
“The former King of Frosthaven,” Jorrar said. “Valeria’s been ruling it by herself since his death. You know the story about the old king who messed with portals and accidentally let in Deidamia? It was him.”
Ava blanched. “I thought portal magic only existed in my bloodline. That makes no sense.”
Jorrar rubbed the back of his neck. “I know. The story has been muddled over the last century, but it’s believed he manipulated someone in your family to help. A distant relative perhaps. No one truly knows. But it is a well-known fact that Eros was heavily involved.”
Raine brushed his hair behind his shoulder, frustrated with the back and forth. “All this postulating does us no good. We can debate all day on who opened the portal and how they arrived. Does it matter? What we do know is this: things aren’t what we initially thought, Andras is stronger than we believed, and he and Deidamia have obviously been lying about who he was.
“We must learn two things: who is Andras and how do we defeat him? And it seems the only people who might know are Vardan, Valeria and Orion. Vardan’s dead, Valeria won’t be helpful…so that leaves the astral king.”
Maeryn rose, her hands clasped behind her back as she took on the role of general. “We must translate the rest of the book. Raine and I will stay here and take charge of the armies. Casimir and Ava will go to Caelestia to build more allies and get information. What else?”
Gods, she is fucking sexy when she takes charge,Raine thought, unable to keep his eyes off her. The way the muscles in her forearms flexed as she spoke, the confidence in her voice when she fell into her role as leader. Her intelligence. Her determination.
“Quinn and Jorrar will come with us,” Casimir said. “Kai, how long will it take for Ava’s leg to heal completely?”
“Just a few days.”
“Alright then. Ava, do you think you can portal us back to Mosshaven? We can rest a couple of days, update Thorne, and pack some clothing. Then we’ll return here. Caelestia is only a few days' journey from Igneothenia.” Casimir looked at Pax. “Iwant you to come back to Mosshaven with us and remain with Thorne to oversee security.”
“Yes, general.”
“The rest of you stay here with Raine and Maeryn to continue discussing army movement and strategy. We’ll check back in with you all on our way to the astral kingdom.”
19
The meeting lasted over an hour, going over everything they’d learned during today’s brutal, but successful battle. Ava’s leg still throbbed almost unbearably despite the tonic Kai had given her, and she desperately wanted to see her brother and tell him all that had happened. She missed Mosshaven.
She missed her home.
But they wouldn’t be able to remain for long before they had to leave. Again. And probably not for the last time.
Casimir sat beside her, still holding her hand. He had three broken ribs and dozens of lacerations on his back. Luckily, Kai had been able to heal him, and though still sore, he was able to move around with ease.
“Are you ready to go?” Jorrar approached with Quinn and Pax.
Everyone else had dispersed throughout their camp, overseeing the large company of soldiers, healing the wounded, and beginning the clean-up within the walls of Torvac.
“We’ll walk to where the animalsare waiting so we can bring them along, and then you can make the portal,” Casimir said, scooping her off the ground.
“How far is it?” Ava wrapped her arms around his neck, settling against him.
