Total pages in book: 247
Estimated words: 235897 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1179(@200wpm)___ 944(@250wpm)___ 786(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 235897 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1179(@200wpm)___ 944(@250wpm)___ 786(@300wpm)
“Violet!”
I turn and am immediately devoured by Rhiannon’s hug. Her arms close tight around me, and I drop the pack to return the squeeze. Maybe it’s the sound of Kaori yelling at cadets across the field, or the scent of Rhi’s hair, or the simple fact that we’re back, yet not home, but the enormity of what we’ve lost immediately pricks my eyes and clogs my throat. “I really missed you. How did you know we were here?”
“Feirge told me you were headed in, so we ran out of dinner. I’m so glad to see you.” Rhi pulls back with a watery smile. “Are you all right?”
I open and shut my mouth, unsure of how to answer the question.
“Rhi!” Ridoc slams into us from the side, wrapping us both in his arms, two weeks of beard growth scratching the side of my face. “Fuck, did we need you on that trip. Violet was out of control. She kicked a queen’s ass and poisoned Xaden’s mom and all three Hedotic heads of state, but secured us an army.”
Rhi huffs a laugh as he sways us back and forth. “And what did you do?”
“Not much. Put out a couple of fires, punched a cook.” He lets me go, then yanks Sawyer into the embrace when he walks over, leaning slightly on a cane. “This is good. This is right.”
“Glad you’re home, guys,” Sawyer says, his face squished down next to mine thanks to Ridoc.
“Me too.” I relax into the hug.
“There they are! Get over here!” Ridoc shouts, still in the embrace.
Maren laughs and runs to my other side, working her way in, but Cat just sighs as she walks over.
“No exceptions,” Ridoc declares, then tugs Cat into the circle between him and Sawyer. “Sweet second-years, together again.” He lets us go, but we stay circled up.
Rhi’s gaze jumps from person to person like she’s counting, and her smile falters.
“We lost Trager,” I tell her softly.
“What?” Rhi recoils, her face stricken.
“How?” Sawyer’s shoulders fall.
“Zehyllna,” Cat answers, then clears her throat. “Arrow to the heart. But we got an army out of it, so—” Her voice breaks and she clears her throat again.
“I’m so sorry,” Rhi says, her gaze swinging from Maren to Cat.
“We are, too,” Maren whispers.
“And we failed.” I say it out loud for the first time, looking Sawyer, then Rhi straight in the eyes. “We found the irids, and they won’t come. We failed.”
“Shit.” Rhi’s face falls entirely.
“That’s disappointing to hear, given the current political climate.”
We break apart and turn toward General Aetos, who stands a respectable distance from Tairn, glowering at us. He doesn’t even glance at Dain as the others make their way over.
Xaden pauses between Garrick and Drake, and our gazes collide for a heartbeat before we both focus on General Aetos. Court-martial coming in three…two…
“We will discuss your punishment for disobeying direct orders later.” General Aetos glances at Drake. “It’s too bad you were born on the wrong side of the family.” His gaze snaps to Cat. “The good news is that you’re one step closer to your throne.”
Cat blanches. “Syrena?”
My stomach plummets, and I spot Mira white-knuckling the strap of her rucksack.
“Is that your sister?” Aetos asks, reaching into the pocket of his uniform and walking toward us.
“Yes,” Maren answers so Cat doesn’t have to.
“Ah. Right. The infamous flier.” Aetos retrieves a missive and hands it to me without really answering Cat or Maren. “This perplexing read came for you about an hour ago. Looking forward to discussing it during your debrief.”
I clasp the parchment, noting the broken seal. “Is Syrena Cordella alive?” He’s cruel to drag it out like this.
“Last I heard, she’s fine.” Aetos glances meaningfully at the paper.
Thank you, Amari.
Cat sways, taking in a deep breath, and I unfold the already opened missive. “What happened?” she asks.
My skin chills as the blood runs from my face at the sight of her handwriting.
Violet—
I do hope you had a marvelous time on your journey, though your riot looked a little haggard when you flew over Pavis. I do wonder why you went to so much effort when I have the one thing you seek above all else. Do enjoy the time you have with your friends until our next rendezvous. Don’t worry, I’m making all the arrangements.
—T
I crumple the parchment on reflex, and my gaze jumps to Xaden.
“What is it?” He tilts his head.
“Theophanie.” It’s a struggle to draw a full breath. “She knew we were gone. She saw us fly over Pavis and somehow delivered this here before we arrived.”
His mouth tightens. “She can’t get to you here.”
“And yet she did.” I shove the paper into my pocket and notice General Aetos watching me like a hawk.
“Is my uncle all right?” Cat’s voice rises. “Just tell us already.”
Tecarus. Oh shit.
“While you were out doing gods know what on the isles for three weeks,” Aetos says, his eyes hardening, “Suniva fell to dark wielders.”