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He shifted on his feet, looking away from me as his cheeks reddened further.
“No reason,” he mumbled. I squinted at him as he pretended to study a rock formation, something tugging at my memory.
“You must know Theron’s cousins, then. Osiel and Varzora?”
He tripped, almost tumbling to the ground. “Um. Yeah, I know Zora.”
“And Oz?”
He nodded, his blush reaching the tips of his ears. “Yeah. Of course.”
“Uh, huh?” I eyed him as he changed the subject. I bet he spent a lot of time staring at Zora in the library.”
As the towering silhouette of the palace came into view, the shimmering mirages gave way to reality. I glanced sideways, catching the intense stare Xadrian directed toward me before he looked away. I swallowed, trying to maintain an air of normalcy.
“Let’s find Gavril,” I suggested. But as we entered the courtyard, another familiar figure approached us—Herrath, his brows knit together in concern.
He extended a hand in greeting toward Tykas. “Welcome to the fray,” Herrath said with a half-smile, though his eyes betrayed a certain wariness. But it was when his gaze shifted to Xadrian that the air grew cold.
“Caelia has made her move,” Herrath began, the words heavy with implication. “She’s gathered an army and announced her plans to take the crown.”
Xadrian swore. “She told me she was considering it, nothing concrete.”
Herrath’s stare was unrelenting. “And where do your loyalties lie, Xadrian?”
He straightened, his voice firm. “With the rebellion, Herrath. Withher,“ he gestured to me, the weight of his glance both a declaration and a plea. One that gave me a sinking feeling in my stomach. “I’ll speak to her,” Xadrian continued. “Caelia trusts me. If I tell her the game board has shifted, and she’ll believe me.”
Herrath shook his head. “This occurred after your last message. She knows that we’re allied with the rebels and she doesn’t care.”
“But the Niothe—“
“If you think your sister doesn’t have spies in that camp sending her updates, you’re a fool.” Herrath crossed his arms, his gaze narrowing. “It’s clear she’s chosen a side, and it’s not ours.”
Xadrian’s jaw clenched. “No. She opposes Nyana, just like we do.”
“Only because she wants the crown.”
“Like Theron doesn’t?” Xadrian shot me a sharp look. “He isn’t doing this out of the kindness of his heart. He wants to rule.”
I glowered at him. “Theron is doing what’s right.”
“Only because you’re pushing him to,” Xadrian growled.
“Enough,” Herrath snapped, stepping to my side. “You will not speak to our queen like that.” Tykas watched with large eyes as Herrath drew on his formal bearing like a cloak. “If you want to prove your use to the rebellion, then go to your sister’s army and change her mind. Otherwise, stop preaching to everyone about how committed you are.”
Xadrian’s eyes hardened. “Fine. I’ll go.” He strode away without another word, the sound of his footsteps echoing down the hall. Silence descended, heavy and oppressive.
Herrath turned to me, the hard lines of his face softening. “Are you alright?”
I nodded. “Yeah. Thanks, Herrath.”
He smiled. “As if Miri wouldn’t have kicked my ass for not defending you.”
I laughed. “I miss her. It’s been days since I’ve seen her.”
“She’s been busy. It’s her first time leaving Adraedor, and she’s been packing.” His expression turned soft and I smiled.
“Pack her a picnic. She’ll love it.”
