“Says the man who lurks in shadows.” Jude leans back in his chair and crosses his arms. “When’s the last time you actually saw sunlight, brother?”
I bite back a smile as Reeve’s eyes narrow.
“Some of us prefer strategy over strutting around like a peacock in heat,” he says.
“Strutting?” Jude clutches his chest in mock offense. “I’ll have you know the ladies love the way I walk.”
I lean back in my chair, watching my brothers’ familiar banter.
“Do they? Or do they hide their laughter every time you walk by?”
“At least I don’t need my magic to get a woman’s attention,” Jude says, propping his boots on the table’s edge.
“No, just your insufferable mouth that never stops moving.”
“My mouth is one of my finest features.” Jude grins. “Along with my—”
“—if you finish that sentence, I will personally ensure you never speak again.”
“Such violence from my own brother.” Humor twinkles in Jude’s eyes as he continues. “And here I thought we were having a pleasant conversation about my many admirable qualities.”
“Your only admirable quality is your ability to annoy everyone within hearing distance.” Reeve glances at me. “Right, Jasce?”
I raise my hands. “Leave me out of this. Last time I took sides, one of you put salt in my wine.”
“That was him,” they say in unison, pointing at each other.
“It was definitely you, Jude.” I tap my fingers against the edge of the table. “You’ve never been able to keep a straight face when lying.”
“Me?” Jude looks between us as he speaks. “I would never waste perfectly good wine with salt. Now, pepper, on the other hand...”
Reeve snorts. “At least you admit to seasoning our brother’s drinks.”
“Only the ones he doesn’t share.” Jude winks at me. “Speaking of sharing, remember when Reeve tried to court Lady Marina and ended up hiding in that tree for three hours?”
“We agreed never to speak of that again,” Reeve says.
“No, you agreed. I made no such promises.” Mischief dances in Jude’s eyes as he continues. “The look on your face when her father’s hounds—”
“—enough.” I spread my hands on the map, though I can’t quite hide my smile. “We need to focus. Asha won’t wait while we reminisce about Reeve’s failed romantic endeavors.”
“Failed?” Reeve scowls at us. “I wasn’t the one who got caught in Lady Natalia’s chambers wearing nothing but—”
“—the war,” I cut in firmly, tapping the map again. “Asha’s forces are moving north. We need to coordinate our attacks precisely if we want to outmaneuver her.”
Jude sobers immediately, boots dropping from the table. “How many men should I take for the diversion?”
“Two hundred, at least.”
He nods. “It will be done.”
“Our timing is crucial,” Reeve says. “If she catches wind of our movement too soon...”
“She won’t.” I study the map as I speak. “We’ll move under the cover of darkness.”
“There’s one problem,” Jude says. “She has Watchers of the Dawn working with her, and they may anticipate this.”
A muscle ticks in my jaw at the mention of the Watchers. They have been a menace to my people for far too long.
