“I prefer to think of it as being larger.” A moment passed, and then something occurred to me. “Did you hear we will be addressing the public?”
“I did.”
“I want you to be with us when we meet with the generals and during the address.”
Malik’s eyes widened, and then his expression smoothed out. “Penellaphe,” he drawled, pulling his hands from his pockets and crossing his arms. “While I appreciate your willingness to repair my relationship with my brother…”
I frowned.
“I think your concern is misplaced,” he continued. “It is better directed toward someone much closer to you.”
“What?”
With a lifted brow, he flicked his gaze to where the others stood. “What do you notice?” he asked. I followed his stare.
Other than another guard having joined the group? My gaze shifted to Casteel and Kieran. They, too, stood apart. Tension crept into my shoulders. Things had been somewhat normalbetween them when we were in the Solar, but they hadn’t really interacted with each other either.
“I don’t know how long you’ve been awake, but you must have noticed that something is up with them,” he said quietly.
“I did.” Hearing someone else say it didn’t just confirm my suspicions; it made me uneasy. Swallowing, I turned my attention back to Malik. “Do you know if something happened?”
“I don’t.” He squinted. “Neither has been in a caring and sharing mood with me of late.” He paused. “They’ve fought before, over one thing or another. It happens when you know someone for so long.”
I honestly wouldn’t know. The only people I had known for any length of time were Vikter, Tawny, and Ian, and not even those relationships could be considered lengthy.
“Especially since they were bonded,” Malik continued. “It’s almost like you share the same mind. It can be great. Also, extremely annoying. But this? Whatever is going on between them now? It’s not like them.”
I resisted the urge to turn and look. “Well, thanks for the advice, but repairing your relationship with Casteel wasn’t why I suggested having you with us. The Descenters know you. They don’t know me. And I’m sure Casteel isn’t known to many of them either.”
“He’s the King of Atlantia,” Malik said, his brows drawing together. “That is all they need to know to support him.”
“But I was the Maiden—one many were told was dead or a demis.” I reminded him of what he had said to me in the Great Hall. “And I know some Descenters likely distrust me. They would be foolish not to.”
Malik stared at me for several moments. “My brother won’t like it.”
“Your brother will deal with it,” I replied.
He huffed out a low laugh and looked over at the group. “Well, this will be…entertaining, at least.”
Smiling at that, I turned, and my gaze landed on one of the quiet homes.
Children.
My hands fisted at my sides as anger burned through the ache of sorrow. Kolis had killed children to send amessage.
Because wasn’t that what this was? A tactic like Casteel had used. Kolis wanted us unsettled. He wanted to show us what he could do without even setting foot in the city.
What was stopping him from sending another?
Nothing.
Nothing, unless I stopped him.
“I saw a lot of messed-up shit during my time here,” Malik said quietly. I tore my gaze from the house and noticed he was now staring at it. “Isbeth…she was capable of many things—things you can’t even imagine.”
I swallowed but stayed quiet.
“But this? All those kids?” He shook his head. “I’ve never seen such senseless cruelty visited upon the most innocent.” His gaze returned to mine. “I hope you don’t plan to do something ill-advised.”
