Allied (Ruined #3)(16)

“I don’t want money, I want my parents—” Gisela interrupted.

“You’re being completely unreasonable,” Aren cut in. “She’s just trying—”

“One at a time!” Ivanna yelled over their voices. Gisela leaned back against the wall, a scowl on her face. Silence fell over the room.

“What if he gives up the throne?” Mariana finally asked.

Em looked at her quickly. “What?”

“It’s his family that did this to us. Maybe someone else should lead Lera.” She looked at Gisela. “Would that convince you?”

Gisela shrugged. “Maybe.”

“I don’t think I can ask for that,” Em said. “I’m not even sure that’s a good idea. He’s sympathetic to us. We may not get so lucky with a new leader.”

“If he’s the only person in all of Lera sympathetic to us, this won’t work anyway,” Ivanna said.

Em swallowed. She had a point.

“It’s not . . . entirely unreasonable,” Aren said reluctantly. “There should be consequences for what his family did to us. But maybe he doesn’t need to give up his throne entirely.”

Gisela made an annoyed sound.

“We could ask that they strip some power from the monarchy,” Aren said. “So that he has less authority as king.” He looked at Gisela. “That’s a good compromise, wouldn’t you say?” She just shrugged.

“Would he even agree to that?” Mariana asked.

“I don’t know,” Em said.

“Is there any way we can communicate with him?” Ivanna asked.

“Em could go to the castle,” Aren said, and Em looked at him in surprise. “What? There are plenty of horses in the barns around town, and it would only take half a day to ride there.”

“What will I tell Olivia?” Em asked.

Aren rubbed the back of his neck in thought. “Maybe go for more food? Or feed for the horses? We are actually running a little low on feed, I think.” He glanced at Mariana for confirmation. She nodded in agreement. “If Cas could give you a wagonful, you could come back and say you stole it.”

“Olivia will still be suspicious,” Gisela said.

“She’s already suspicious,” Em said.

“We have to set up a way to communicate with them. You can go have an initial talk with Cas, then set up a way to talk in the future,” Ivanna said. “None of this matters if they aren’t willing to negotiate with us.”

Dread settled into Em’s chest. She’d been the one who convinced Cas to go back to Lera when he wanted to give up his throne. Now she was going to tell him they wanted to strip him of his power?

She glanced at Gisela. Olivia has a long-term plan. If Em didn’t act, she might lose the few Ruined she had on her side.

She nodded grimly. “I’ll go talk to Cas.”





EIGHT


EVERYONE WAS LYING to Olivia.

Everyone who mattered, anyway.

Olivia stared at her sister. Em stood in the kitchen, stirring a pot of soup on the stove. Her stance was casual, like she’d just remembered something and wanted to mention it to Olivia.

“I’m riding out to find more feed for the horses,” Em said, holding her sister’s gaze. Em always had been a good liar. “First thing in the morning.”

“By yourself.” Olivia didn’t say it as a question.

“I’ll be wearing a cloak; no one will be able to tell who I am. And I don’t need help.”

“A bit risky just for feed, wouldn’t you say?”

“We need the horses, Liv. I’m not going to let them starve.”

Olivia blew out a frustrated breath. “Fine. Go.” Part of her wanted to believe Em. Maybe they really did need feed for the horses.

Or maybe—probably—she was going to see Casimir.

“I shouldn’t be gone long. A day, maybe.”

“No problem,” Olivia said with a flippancy she didn’t feel. “Why don’t you take Aren with you?” The words came out as a challenge. She couldn’t take Aren with her, and Olivia knew it. Who would keep Olivia in check?

Em had the decency to look ashamed. She lowered her gaze to the soup. “I’ll be fine on my own.”

Olivia could send a Ruined to follow Em. If she told Jacobo right now, he’d stay up all night just to make sure he caught Em as soon as she left.

But Em wasn’t stupid. She would be checking to see if she was followed, because she didn’t trust Olivia anymore.

The feeling was mutual.

Besides, Olivia didn’t need to confirm what she already knew. Her sister was a traitor. Olivia hadn’t figured out how deep Em’s betrayal went, but it would reveal itself in time. And Olivia wasn’t worried about her useless sister.

Aren, on the other hand . . .

Olivia pushed back a swell of anger at the thought of Aren. He’d dared to use his powers on her, but that wasn’t what really enraged her.

He could pull power from humans. He could use them to make himself stronger. Stronger than her.

And she couldn’t do it. She’d captured a few humans to practice on, but so far, nothing but failure. It was infuriating.

She marched out the door, shoulders squared. No. She hadn’t failed. If she simply kept trying, she would figure it out eventually.