“That means they’re working against Auverraine,” Alie concluded. “So we’re all traitors now.”
“Thrilling,” Lilia deadpanned.
“This contact claims that the Prime Minister knows where the piece of the Fount is,” Alexis continued. “Apparently, Eoin is extremely interested in the elemental gods.”
Dread shot from the top of her head to the pit of her stomach. “Does he know about Gabe and Malcolm?”
“He does,” Alexis confirmed. “But that’s a good thing in this scenario, I think. He’ll keep them safe.” They shifted on the desk. “As long as Gabe and Malcolm play along with what he wants.”
Neither one of them said what they were thinking, though Alie was sure it was the same thing. Gabe had never been good at playing along when it didn’t align with his moral compass. He held his convictions as close as he held his heart inside his ribs.
“Caldien was supposed to be in talks with Apollius,” Alie said. “At least, that’s what Jax told me.”
If the implication of her being Jax’s confidante fazed Alexis, they didn’t show it. “I think,” they said, “that in this particular case, no one is being exactly forthcoming with anyone else.”
Lilia’s eyes were sharp on Alie. “We need that location. Once the pieces start being found and brought to the Mount, Apollius will feel it. He’ll know what’s happening, and there is no length He won’t go to in order to stop it.”
“Good thing no one has the means to bring the pieces to the Mount yet,” Alie said.
“Lore does,” Lilia replied. “She’s closer than anyone else. If she can find the piece on the Isles, that’s at least a start.”
“And according to certain myths, the Fount pieces can act as a compass,” Alexis added. “Whoever has them can navigate to the Mount.”
Lore was one of the people Alie couldn’t quite break the habit of praying for, hoping she was as safe as she could be on the Burnt Isles, hoping she was holding on. “It seems presumptuous to think Lore is able to do much other than stay alive.” She didn’t mean to make it snap, but the words cracked like whips, and part of her hoped Lilia could feel the sting. “I told her that she needs to find the piece, but her schedule is full, what with themining.”
Lilia’s eyes, so like her daughter’s, shuttered closed for a moment before opening again, lit with new resolve. “Lore is resourceful. If the piece is there, if she knows to look for it, she’ll find it. And she’ll find a way to get it to the Mount.”
“You have quite a lot of faith in her.”
“She’s the only thing left worthy of faith,” Lilia murmured.
“Even if Lore can do it, that’s only one piece,” Alie said. “How do we get the others there?”
Lilia gave Alie an arch look. “Sounds like you’re cozy with Jax. You should work on getting cozy enough to ask for a boat.”
Alie’s cheeks heated. “We don’t even have the piece yet.”
“Doesn’t hurt to be prepared.”
Alexis sighed, standing up again to pace. “Alie, you need to try and speak with Bastian and see if he’s found the location. We can’t plan any further until we know that the pieces are within reach.”
She arched a pale brow. “It’s not quite as simple as inviting him over for tea.”
“Of course not, but neither can you wait around and see if he calls for you.” Alexis gnawed on their thumbnail. “We have to be proactive here.”
“I repeat,” Lilia said, “you can use Jax.”
Alie’s brow climbed higher. “I think you’re overestimating—”
“Your hold on him? I’m not.” Lilia shrugged. “If you didn’t have influence over him, Alienor, he would have locked you in your room long ago, just to make sure you weren’t doing exactly what you’re doing.”
The heat in her cheeks traveled to her hairline. Lilia was righter than she knew. Especially since Jax was aware of her Lereal problem.
“So use that,” Lilia continued. “Tell him you want to set up a dinner with him and Apollius, long after sundown. Alexis will mastermind some sort of crisis that calls Jax away and gives you a moment alone.”
It wasn’t a bad plan, really. There was no reason for Alie to not go along with it. No reason for the idea of using Jax to be so unsettling.
She wouldn’t go so far as to say Jax cared for her, but the beginnings of caring were there. It wasn’t something she wanted to think about. It wasn’t something she wanted touse.
