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Everyone nodded, including Gerarda. At least we agreed on something.
“Hildegard and Rohan will maintain their teaching posts at the Order,” I said, receiving nods from the Bow and Arrow. “As for the rest, I am assigning them to you, Gerarda.”
“Me?” she echoed, leaning on the table.
“Yes.” I nodded. “You will serve as my eyes and ears in the capital and assign the Shades as you see fit. Everyone else will funnel their intel through you. I expect regular reports.”
“Isn’t that your job?” Gerarda said, slumping back in her chair.
I gritted my teeth. Everything had to be a fight with her. “When I’m in the city it is,” I said. “But I won’t be after tomorrow.”
“Why not?” Gerarda asked, standing up from her chair. “You’re going to abandon us while the largest threat in recent history looms over the kingdom?”
“No.” I stood up from my own seat. “I am going undercover in Mortal’s Landing.”
“Mortal’s Landing?” she scoffed, crossing her arms, and looking to the others for support.
I took a step toward the window. Gerarda may be second in command of the Arsenal, but I was the head of it. I would not stand for her complaints. Even if she had a right to them.
“Yes, Mortal’s Landing.” I raised my voice as I turned toward her. “And while theBladedoes not need to explain herself to theDagger, let alone anyone else, I will. The Shadow didn’t just attack the trade routes. He targeted the food supply. If I were trying to overthrow the king, my next move would be to attack the textiles, especially on the eve of the winter season.” A hush fell over the room as the Arsenal raised their brows as one.
“Mortal’s Landing is the next logical target,” I continued. “And considering I found no sign of him in the north, there are only so many places the Shadow could hide while remaining so well- connected. Mortal’s Landing is the perfect cover and the ideal location to stage a quick getaway if needed.”
Gerarda opened her mouth to respond but no words followed. She sat back down in her seat.
“Now that you’ve had your little tantrum,” I added. “I was serious about you being in command while I’m away, Gerarda. I thought I had selected the right person for the role, but please correct me if that is not the case.”
Gerarda didn’t say anything, her eyes focused on her boot.
“I didn’t think so,” I said with a final nod. “As I said, you will lead the Shades and determine their stations while I’m gone. I will arrange for us to meet once a month, and you can provide me with any information that cannot be sent by coded message. Until I return, you will serve as my mouthpiece back to the Arsenal.”
“For how long?” Gerarda whispered.
I smirked. “Until I bring in his head.”
There was only one head I intended to bring in, and that was the king’s.
ILEFT THE CAPITALbefore first light the next day. The Arsenal would see to official matters while I planted seeds of rebellion throughout the kingdom and searched for answers. I pulled out the map Riven had given me. An ancient scroll of parchment, creased so thoroughly down the middle I thought the wind would break it in half.
The suns rose over the western horizon, casting warm light over the map. It was what Riven had told me to wait for. I halted my horse and held the map up to my face, letting the sunlight soak through the thin paper. The moment it touched the light, symbols appeared across Elverath with names I couldn’t read or recognize.
It was a map of hideouts left by the Light Fae. Riven and his crew had been using them for years. The one I was looking for was a cavern hidden at the edge of the Deadwood. It made for the perfect meeting place while we devised the next stage of our plan.
I found the small dot marking its location in blue ink and set my course. It was a full day’s journey following the river and crossing into the Deadwood. I’d be lucky to arrive before sunset.
I folded the map and placed it back in my pocket. The skies were clear as I rode. I crossed paths with people carrying their life’s belongings on their backs; citizens of the Crown who had lost everything in the floods. My chest tightened each time I passed a family along the riverbank. I only hoped we would succeed and their suffering wouldn’t be wasted.
Hours later, I reached the edge of the Deadwood. Bent trunks curved around burnt branches, oozing black sap from their bark, hot enough that I could feel the warmth on my legs. I checked the map. The path was set right next to the large gray stone beside my horse. I jumped down, holding the reins as I stepped onto what looked to be blackened, smoking earth.
The glamour shattered. The dead trees pulled back to reveal a clear path through the wood, stones lining the way over a small hill. I pulled on the reins, but my horse didn’t want to step forward. I took another step, disappearing beneath the glamour before she followed.
The cavern was nestled between thick trees as black as night. I tied my horse to a stump outside the cave. A twig snapped behind me. I only had time to turn before I was swept off the ground.
“I told you I’d be the one waiting,” Riven growled in my ear as he spun me around. His warm breath tickled my neck as I laughed. He held me, feet not touching the ground, pinning me against his chest. “I missed that laugh,” he purred before bringing his lips to mine.
My body exploded, shivering with the heat of his touch. I wrapped my legs around his waist and nipped at his bottom lip. Riven grunted against my mouth, trying to pull away but I didn’t let him.
It had been too long. The days spent without his hands on me, his scent wrapped around my skin, were excruciating. I wanted to taste every part of him, steal his breath for my own, and never let him go. I pulled at the nape of his neck, his hair spilling through my fingers. Riven’s hands trailed down my back, lifting me higher into the air.
