Page 107 of Tale of the Heart Queen

“Sir,” a soldier says, coming up to Gabriel. “The tally is currently sitting at five hundred twenty-six dead and one thousand forty-two injured.”

Those numbers make my blood run cold. So many people. Even one is too much. And that doesn’t even account for those we lost in the chasm forever.

“Thank you,” Gabriel says, his voice twisted with emotion.

The soldier bows and then walks away before Gabriel looks down at me. His eyes go to the man I’m trying to heal—a large gash sliced across his forehead. “Thank you for helping, Lor. After everything we did to you, you didn’t owe Aphelion any more of yourself.”

Then he spins on his heel and walks away, leaving me staring after him in shock.

Now I know the world must be ending because did he just say something nice?

CHAPTER 39

We spend the day and night helping clean up the wreckage. The city feels like it’s dangling on the edge of a knifepoint. Rumors are spreading, and some of them are closer to the truth than anyone would like. Not that Gabriel is trying to keep this knowledge from anyone, but it might also cause a mass panic, and that’s the last thing anyone needs.

The sun is rising on the following day when we all meet in the palace, occupying one of the large dining rooms where the cooks have been bringing in food on a regular rotation so the soldiers, healers, and anyone else on duty can stop in and grab something whenever they need.

Last night, I found a spare moment to catch up with Halo and Marici and revealed everything to them. They were as shocked as everyone else and only wished the best for me. I wish the best for them too and pray that if we come out the end of this, I will see them again.

Nadir and I now find ourselves in a quiet moment, sitting with Gabriel, Erevan, Tristan, and Mael. After the quake, the rebel leader appeared at the palace, and I watched from a distance as he sat in a serious conversation with Gabriel for a long time. When they were finished, Erevan remained here, helping deal with the aftermath.

Everyone is exhausted, and no one says much as we pick at our food and occasionally sip our drinks.

“We need to meet the other rulers in two days,” Nadir finally says, looking at Gabriel. “We sent the missives just before the quake.”

“We understand. Thank you for all of your help.”

I exchange a look with Nadir. I feel terrible about abandoning them right now.

“I’m sorry,” I say, but Gabriel waves me off. “If you really think this is a part of some bigger change in Ouranos, then you need to deal with it. This is only a minor thing compared to what might happen if it continues.”

I nod and take a sip of my water. It’s boiling hot in the room despite every window flung open to the breeze. The air is filled with smoke and ash, which does nothing but coat everything in a depressing layer of grey dust.

“The heat,” I say. “According to the Empyrium, that’s what happened to Aphelion last time.”

I look around the room, half expecting Zerra to be standing there, smirking at me. If she didn’t cause the quake, I’m still all too aware that she might strike again at any moment, which seems like a good reason to clear out of Aphelion as soon as possible. They’ve got enough on their hands.

“Can we talk about the ark?” I ask.

Gabriel shrugs his shoulders. “Tyr said you should have it. Who am I to argue with my . . . king?”

He keeps stumbling on that word.

I nod. “We actually don’t want to take it anymore, but we do need him to destroy it with his magic,” I say. “And since he’s unbonded, he might need his Primary’s help. In Tyr’s case, it seems almost certain he would.”

Gabriel stares at me before he sighs and rubs a hand down his face.

“Do you think he can?” Nadir asks. “When was the last time he used his magic?”

Gabriel shakes his head. “I couldn’t tell you. Certainly not since before Atlas cuffed him.”

“Do you think the arcturite affected his abilities?” Nadir asks.

As he and Gabriel discuss the implications of extended exposure to arcturite, my gaze slides to Erevan, who watches everyone with a guarded expression like he wants to escape through a window. Atlas isn’t the Primary, so it must be someone else related to their family.

“Is it you?” I blurt out.

Erevan sits up straighter. “Me what?”