“This is where I’d always go to avoid Lerans,” he said as he broke off a piece of bread and handed it to her. “I thought you’d appreciate it.”
She laughed softly. “Thanks, Aren.”
“They’re not so bad, though. The Lerans. I’ve made friends with a few.”
“I noticed. I’m not opposed to making a few friends.” She smiled at him. “Though I don’t mind being alone with you either.”
He’d been tearing off a piece of bread when she said that, and he dropped it, feeling heat rush to his face. Her cheeks had turned pink.
“I wanted to let you know that I understand,” she said. “When you said you had to leave me here to stay with Em. She wasn’t ready to declare all-out war on Olivia. They needed you.”
“You needed me,” Aren said.
“Not so much, at that moment. You came through when I really needed you. And I didn’t think you would, honestly.”
His eyebrows shot up. “You didn’t think I would rescue you from the prison? I told you I would.”
“Sure, but no one would have blamed you for breaking that promise. You had to cross into Olso and figure out a way to get into our highest-security prison.” She lifted one shoulder. “I’m really grateful, is what I’m saying.”
“I would do it again,” he said softly.
A smile twitched at her lips. The bruises on her face had healed, the color back in her cheeks, and he found it difficult to look anywhere else. He wanted to lean across the table and brush her hair away from her face and kiss her.
He’d never been so hesitant to kiss a girl before. This used to be easy for him. He’d had plenty of girlfriends in the past, and he’d rarely felt the kind of nerves he was experiencing at the moment. Past Aren would have kissed her several seconds ago. Several weeks ago, actually.
He felt a familiar tug, and he almost ignored it, too wrapped up in Iria to care. It came again, more insistent.
He took in a sharp breath and shot to his feet. He could feel the frenzied excitement of hundreds of humans, their energy different than the constant flow from around Royal City.
“What?” Iria asked, alarmed.
“I feel someone coming. Lots of someones. Enough to be an army.”
“You can do that?”
“Yes.” He extended his hand to her and pulled her to her feet. It was probably the Olso army, and he wasn’t letting her out of his sight this time. They ran inside, Iria moving surprisingly well in her new boot. Her limp was still there, but she was learning to move quickly again.
“Galo!” he yelled as he ran into the castle. “Cas!” He probably shouldn’t have been casually shouting for the king in the castle, but it was an emergency, and he didn’t have time for formalities.
He sprinted up the stairs to find Cas emerging from his office. Galo and Mateo appeared behind him, along with Franco and Violet.
“What is it?” Cas asked.
“There’s an army coming,” Aren said.
“What? No. Our lookouts would have seen,” Franco said. “I didn’t hear them give the signal.”
“Aren can sense people farther out than we can see,” Galo said.
“Sound the alarm,” Cas said. Violet and Franco took off running and disappeared down the stairs. “Where is Em?”
“She and Mariana went into town with Mateo a little while ago,” Aren said.
Fear flashed across Cas’s face, but he recovered quickly. “Prepare the Ruined. I know you haven’t had a chance to get them training with our soldiers, but we need them to help if they’re willing.”
“They’re willing.”
“Can you tell exactly where they are?” Cas asked. “And how many?”
“No,” Aren said regretfully. “I think they’re southwest, but I’m not a hundred percent sure. You’ll have to wait until the lookouts can see for an exact number, but I would count on a lot.”
“That’s fine,” Cas said. “Go get the Ruined and coordinate with General Amaro.”
Aren nodded, reaching for Iria’s hand again, but she was focused on Cas.
“I can tell you the most likely plans of attack, if you’d like,” she said. Aren looked at her in surprise.
Cas wore a matching expression. “I would definitely like that, if you’re willing.”
“I can’t say for sure, but there are three strong possibilities. And if I go up to a lookout, I can probably take a good guess.”
“I’ll get someone to take you to one,” Cas said.
Aren wrapped his fingers lightly around Iria’s wrist, a silent protest.
“It’s fine,” she said. “Go get the Ruined ready.”
He held on to her wrist a little tighter, reluctant to leave her, but Cas was already walking, calling orders to his guards. Iria pried her arm from his grip with a hint of a smile, and then stood on her toes to kiss his cheek.
“Go do what you’re best at, Aren.” She took a step back.
“What am I best at?”
She laughed like it was ridiculous that he didn’t already know. “Saving everyone.”
Cas was trying not to panic about Em. He’d gotten Iria to the lookout, and met with General Amaro, and reassured everyone that yes, they are actually coming, even though you can’t see them yet, but it was all done with panic bubbling just under the surface.
“—lock down the castle,” Jorge was saying, and Cas snapped back to attention. They were standing in the front entryway, Galo at Cas’s side. People zipped by them, shouting orders.
“Not until Em and Mariana and Mateo get back,” Galo said before Cas could. Jorge clearly wanted to protest.
“We can’t even see the army yet,” Cas said. “And Mariana is a very powerful Ruined. She’s the one who clouded the vision of our lookouts when Olso attacked. We need her here.”
“Fine, but as soon as they get back we need to put you in hiding,” Jorge said.
“I can’t hide. I need to . . .” It occurred to him that he wasn’t sure what he needed to do. He’d put Aren in charge of the Ruined. General Amaro was in charge of the soldiers.
“You need to stay safe, because everything will be thrown into chaos if you die,” Galo said. His gaze cut to Cas’s sword, which Cas had grabbed after parting with Aren. “So don’t even think about it.”
The castle doors banged open suddenly, and Cas whirled around, hope blooming in his chest. Em charged through the door, her face grim. She was followed by Mariana, Mateo, and several members of the Royal City Watch, and then, to Cas’s surprise, Jovita. His cousin had her hands bound in front of her, and her hair was wild and dirty, but she was just as disgusted as ever when her eyes met Cas’s.
Cas rushed forward, putting his hands on Em’s cheeks. “I’m so glad you’re back. Aren—”
“Cas, Jovita told—”
“There’s an army coming, and you can’t—”
“Cas!” Em said sharply, taking his hands off her cheeks and holding them tightly. “Jovita told Olivia about the secret passageway from the kitchen, the one they took to escape the Olso warriors. She could be in the castle right now.”