Page 77 of Blood of the Sands

I drew back as if she had slapped me. While I had grown used to Aderyn’s brusque manner, I had never felt true hostility from her. Now the idea that she would leave innocents defenseless against a terror straight out of myths left me unbalanced.

The queen approached as I stood stunned, but my brain started thinking again, travelling down another path.

“If the captain from Clan Katal aids them, that would only cement their loyalty to him,” I pressed. “But if Kelvadan were to send aid, they might be reticent to attack the city on Lord Alasdar’s behalf.”

“Based on what we heard from the rider of Clan Tibel, Clan Katal will already have united all the riders of the desert based on the Viper being named Champion,” the queen pointed out. “This very well may be their attempt to draw our riders out of Kelvadan and attack when we are defenseless.”

I blinked, not having thought of that. A growl of frustration itched in the back of my throat, but I swallowed it down. I could not let my anger rule me—would not let it shred my control.

“These decisions are the reason I do not relish being queen,” she continued more quietly, “But it is final. My great-grandfather built this city to be a beacon of safety, and I will see it remain as such at all costs.”

I looked down at my feet, nodding deferentially even as my heart sank. There would be no changing these women’s minds when they were set down a path. It was something I respected in them, even as the storm in me raged against this decision, the thought of an innocent horse being swallowed by lava seared into my brain. I did not change my mind when it was set on something either.

“I’ll bring Daiti to the stables and then report back to help with security,” I volunteered.

Aderyn nodded her approval and Queen Ginevra offered me an encouraging, if sad, smile. I left them to further discuss their plans as I headed through the wide arch into the city, remaining on foot instead of mounting Daiti. I didn’t want to draw any more attention to myself after the spectacle in the encampment.

Once inside, I didn’t turn up the winding climb toward the palace but took the road toward Aderyn and Neven’s home. Upon arriving, I left Daiti outside with a pat on the nose and a whispered assurance that I’d be right back.

I slipped through the door quickly, ready to head for the kitchen and yelped in surprise when I nearly ran headfirst into Neven. He raised his brows at me questioningly.

“I ah—Aderyn sent me… she needed—”

Neven shoved a pile of bundles into my arms, effectively silencing my attempts at explanation. “You’ll need these.”

I looked down at them curiously, picking out what appeared to be a bedroll and several other bulging packs.

“I’m not sure how far Clan Otush’s encampment is, but it should be enough when supplemented with your hunting skills,” he explained.

I opened and shut my mouth twice before settling on tilting my head instead of asking a specific question.

Neven shrugged sheepishly. “I’ve been married to a stubborn woman for long enough to recognize the look in your eyes. It’s the one Aderyn has when I know she is going to get her way, no matter what.”

“You don’t agree with her that I should stay and protect the city?” I asked.

“I agree that the city needs to be protected, but so do the clans. Aderyn may have been born and raised here, but I grew up riding the sands. As much as Kelvadan is my home, I know many who call the clans home.” Neven paused, something in his eyes examining me like some of his weaving that wasn’t quite laying right, searching it for the tiniest snag. “I’ve seen the way you look out at the horizon. As much as you love Kelvadan, I know you miss the freedom of the desert. If anybody should ride out to protect it, it’s you.”

I nodded, not sure of what I could say to possibly thank him. Instead, I asked a question. “Do you ever miss the adventure of the desert?”

One corner of his lips pulled up in a wry smile. “Being married to Aderyn offers me all the adventure I could ever need. Now go, before anybody notices you’re missing.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

The Viper

Aflutter of wings and a stutter of magic warned me of Keera’s approach. I didn’t look up from where I latched my bundled-up tent to Alza’s back, but something inside me loosened and tensed simultaneously. Even as I realized that leaving now to aid Clan Otush would mean I wouldn’t be able to receive the Champions circlet, it hadn’t been a hard decision to ride out. Aiding the clans would win me more loyalty from them than a ceremonial piece of metal.

What had been a harder realization was that I would be riding away from Keera sooner than I had expected.

I found my gaze darting toward the encampment often, hoping to see her dark silhouette approaching our usual spot. An odd tightness formed beneath my ribcage when the sands remained empty, but I was unsurprised. I wasn’t even sure why I wanted her to come. Perhaps I had found her a welcome distraction from the monotony of waiting through the feasting to be awarded the Champion’s circlet. I couldn’t deny any longer that I found her fascinating—a tangled-up knot to be unraveled.

From the one time my bare skin had touched hers, the power inside her, the same power that lived in me, had called to my magic, quieting it. We were the two people possibly most connected to the magic of the desert, and I could feel her life like an echo at the base of my skull. The odd surges of raw power I had felt in the past months were likely shadows of her own loss of control.

The thought soothed me as much as it terrified me.

I shoved that thought away violently as I yanked a knot tight on my packs. Alza snorted in protest, and I breathed a measured breath out through my nose. The Viper did not feel fear.

Keera didn’t speak as she stepped up beside me. I peeked out of the corner of my eyes and nearly snorted to see packs tied to Bloodmoon. He had never suffered such treatment before, carrying only his rider when we moved encampments, while Lord Alasdar’s belongings were carried by another.