Fairon knows better than me when it comes to some things, but it doesn’t mean he’s right about this.
“You make it sound like the whole world will fall apart just because she and I have taken a liking to each other,” I say.
“An alliance between you is sensible, beneficial even. But a relationship jeopardizes both your positions. Not to mention, it isn’t something your people or hers are likely to accept.”
I want to say I don’t give a fuck what our people think, but I know that argument will fall on deaf ears with Fairon. I tell myself his disapproval doesn’t matter, but it makes me uneasy. I’m determined to stick by Ana’s side for as long as she needs someone to keep her safe, but beyond that, I have to admit I haven’t considered what my role in her life will be.
Fairon obviously thinks he’s made his point, because he changes the subject.
“Don’t worry about Grandfather,” he says, clapping me on the back. “I’ll deal with him. Go do what you do best and raise some gloam in Trova.”
We say our goodbyes, and I return to the palace, only to find more people waiting for me in my parlor—Ana, Tira, and the korigos that seems to be Ana’s shadow lately.
“Listen, Leon, I’m coming too, no matter what you say,” Tira strides up to me with crossed arms. I find myself wondering if she’s always been so short.
“I wouldn’t expect anything else,” I say.
She closes her mouth abruptly, bewildered, while I notice Ana hiding a smile behind her.
“Oh,” Tira says eventually. “I thought you’d try to make me stay—argue I’d get in the way or something.”
“I couldn’t get rid of you even when it meant you getting dragged across the border into a foreign land. I wouldn’t be foolish enough to think you’d allow yourself to be separated from Ana now. Plus, your claim to revenge on Oclanna is as strong as Ana’s.”
Tira tilts her head. “Damn right.” She turns to Ana. “You know, he’s growing on me.”
Ana laughs, and the sound makes my heartbeat oddly uneven. “Yeah, I know how you feel,” she says.
“And what about you?” I ask the korigos. “It seems like you’re not leaving her side anytime soon.”
The animal flicks its tails, as if to agree.
“This is why we have to leave sooner rather than later,” I say. “Give it any more time and we’ll be taking half the palace with us.”
But despite my worries, the rest of our preparations go off without a hitch. Once the moon is casting Lusteris’s silver light across the grounds, the ten of us meet by the southern gate. Then we slip quietly out of Lavail with only the stars as our witnesses.
Chapter 27
Sophos
“Apologies for my lateness, Your Grace. My journey home was delayed at the Kalas pass.”
The Grand Bearer’s cloak makes a soft swish as it glides across the marble floor. The high temple’s forum is warm today, sunlight streaming through the glass ceiling as we walk beside the pool.
“No trouble from those heretics that call themselves the Hand, I hope?” he says.
“No, Your Grace. Just some landslips from the wet weather. The Hand of Ralus seem to have lost interest in targeting the roads lately.”
I file away the Grand Bearer’s assumption for another time. The landslips on the Wirstones were a stroke of good luck, allowing me to make a diversion to Xatus without needing to justify my extra two days’ absence. But if I’m to return anytime soon, I’ll need more excuses in my arsenal.
I don’t enjoy lying to the Grand Bearer, but in this case, it is the lesser of two evils—an unfortunate necessity that I pray nightly to the gods to forgive me for.
“I was eager for your return, Sophos. We’ve had some misfortune while you were away.”
Guilt twists my stomach. Perhaps my prayers aren’t working, and this is the gods’ punishment for my secrets.
“I’m sorry to hear that, Your Grace. What happened?”
“The Morelium’s man, Parvus, is dead. Which means not only are they yet to retrieve the object we sought at Vastamae, but the heretic Morgana Angevire is now out of our reach. Their spies tell me she has been taken to Lavail and is safely ensconced behind the palace walls.”
