Dawn Study (Soulfinders #3)(129)

“We would have busted you out regardless,” Adrik said.

“What if I decided to go to Sitia instead of remaining here?” he asked.

“Then we would have escorted you to Sitia,” Pasha said. “But Adrik would have lost a couple of golds to the captain of the watch.”

No surprise they’d been betting on him. He shook hands with everyone, thanking them for their years of loyal and excellent service. “Onora is more than capable. I’m sure she’ll earn your respect in no time.”

Maren waited for him outside the gate. She stood with her arms crossed, blocking the path. Gerik rested his hand on the hilt of his sword, but Maren ignored him.

Instead she asked Valek, “So this is it? You’re done?”

“What do you think?”

“I think you broke your pledge to the Commander.”

Valek considered. Was she trying to force a reaction? He kept his tone neutral. “I retired.”

“Onora’s not ready.”

“Do you think you should be in charge?”

Maren dropped her arms. “Hell, no. No one can do that job.”

“I’m flattered.”

She huffed. “You’re leaving all of us vulnerable. Onora’s bound to make mistakes.”

Gerik gripped his weapon. Valek put a hand on his arm, stopping the man from drawing the sword. Maren’s comment explained quite a bit. “Yes, she will make mistakes,” Valek said. “Just like I did when I first started. Just like I did a few days ago. You’re right. No one can do the job on his or her own. Not even me. I built a support network to help me, and she will, too. She’s already learned how valuable even Janco can be. And you’ll be here to help her.” Unless... “That is, if you want to stay. You’re always welcome to come with me to Sitia.”

“Not interested. I pledged my loyalty to the Commander.”

Okay, then. “If you change your mind—”

“I won’t.” She stepped aside. “Tell Ari and Janco to get their asses back up here. Their vacation is over.” Maren strode away without saying another word.

Gerik watched her go. “Does Onora need to worry about her?”

“No,” Valek said. “Maren has a temper. She’ll settle down.”

“And if she doesn’t?”

“Onora can handle herself.” Valek met Gerik’s concerned gaze. “Right now, your sister is the best in Ixia and Sitia.”

“Right now?”

“There will always be a young hotshot eager to prove himself or herself. Part of the job. Someday, one of them will best her, but I don’t think you need to worry about that happening anytime soon.”

Gerik smiled. “You lasted twenty-four years.”

“Exactly.”

*

Valek calculated. He and Gerik would arrive at the Citadel right at the hot season’s midpoint. The day the Firestorm had been scheduled—and a day longer than it should have taken, because he was unable to avoid the Sitian army. The soldiers had blanketed the land south of the Ixian border. The only way to get through without causing an incident was to creep into the encampment at night and find an officer to explain things to. The fact that the Snake Forest had emptied of all but a few border guards helped support his news of the canceled invasion. However, the unit he’d surrendered to didn’t have a magician who could communicate with the people in charge.

Since they still didn’t quite believe him, the captain sent him and Gerik to the Citadel with an armed escort. Valek longed to retrieve Onyx and reclaim his vial of blood, but as soon as he spotted the white marble walls of the Citadel in the distance, his focus and energy and thoughts all turned to one goal—holding Yelena in his arms.





30





YELENA


“What do you mean, the forest is empty?” I asked Ayven, sure I’d heard wrong.

“The Ixians withdrew all but a few patrols,” the magician said.

Ayven stared into a glass super messenger, mentally communicating with Master Magician Irys Jewelrose on the front lines. Or what had been the front lines. We expected Ixia to attack in two days’ time.

I glanced at Bavol and then at Onora, who’d stayed by my side as much as possible since she’d saved my life. We stood in Bavol’s office in the Council Hall. Most of the other Sitian Councilors had joined their regiments in the field. We hadn’t received any information or news from Valek since he’d left thirty-two long days ago. Many people assumed he was dead when the Ixian army remained in the forest.

Dare I hope?

“Perhaps Valek was successful after all,” Bavol said.

The baby kicked as if in agreement, but I wasn’t going to jump to conclusions. By concentrating on the impending invasion, I’d been able to function. And I avoided the dark thoughts that threatened to ambush me late at night.

“Ayven, please contact Master Zitora and ask her about that unit she and Teegan sensed hiding behind our front lines,” I said. “See if they know where they are now.”

“Okay.” He focused on the messenger. A few minutes later, he looked up. “She says the unit has disappeared. She sent Devlen and Teegan to track them, and she’s waiting to hear from Teegan.”