Allied (Ruined #3)(48)

They walked through his library and into the bedroom. Em looked down at her hands, like she’d just realized something.

“I left my bag on my horse.”

“A staff member will bring it in,” he said. “Your clothes from before are all still in your old room. I’ll have someone bring them over.”

She walked across the room and sat on the chest at the end of the bed. She looked down at her arms, which were flecked with dirt. “I need a bath.”

Cas knelt down in front of her and took her hands in his. “I’ll have them draw one for you.” He was quiet for a moment, unsure if he should ask what happened. She looked devastated, and he didn’t know if it was about Olivia, or if something was going on with the Ruined. He realized suddenly he knew very little about Em’s relationship with her own people.

“Olivia wants to kill me,” Em finally said. “She already tried, actually. She and the other Ruined were just too weak to fight me.”

He tightened his fingers around her hands. “She can’t, though, can she? Kill a useless Ruined?”

“Not with her powers, no. But she can find other ways. She will. Find other ways.” She met his gaze. “It may not be safe for you to be near me.”

Cas shook his head. “We’re safe here, for now. For tonight, at the very least.”

She nodded, closing her eyes briefly. He got the impression that she didn’t agree, but she was too tired to argue about it.

He stood and lightly kissed her forehead. She wrapped her arms around his waist, letting out a long sigh as she leaned against his chest.

“We’re together now,” he said quietly. “Everything will be fine.”





TWENTY-THREE


AREN HAD UNDERESTIMATED Olso.

He’d thought their defenses would be weakened, that the border would be less guarded than usual with all the warriors in Lera.

If they were spread thin, Aren had picked the wrong spot to try to cross into Olso. All the border posts were manned, warriors stationed in basic wooden towers placed at strategic points.

Aren and Galo stayed hidden in the trees as they crept along the border, scoping out the posts.

“I think in between these two,” Aren said. He looked left, then right, but it was too dark to see either post from this location. It was unlikely they could pass through without being spotted, but if they were fast enough, the warriors might not be able to catch them. “I guess.”

“That doesn’t instill a lot of confidence,” Galo said.

“Do you have a better idea?”

“No,” Galo said. “But they’re going to aim for the horses.”

Aren glanced back at them. “I think we should leave them.”

“And go on foot?”

“Like you said, they’re going to aim for the horses, whether with arrows or the cannons. We likely won’t make it far on them, and I don’t want you getting crushed to death under a horse.”

“I see your point,” Galo said. “So we’re going to run fast. And hope their aim with those cannons isn’t great?”

“We’re going to hope they don’t have those ready to go.” Aren raised an eyebrow. “Having regrets about this yet?”

“Not yet, but there’s still time.” He looked back at the horses. “It’s going to take us a long time to get to the capital on foot.”

“The warriors have horses at every post,” Aren said. “They’re going to use them to chase after us. We’ll grab them after I get rid of the warriors.”

“That easy, huh?” Galo asked.

“If the warriors stay on those horses we’re dead, so yeah, I’m hoping it’s that easy.” Aren peered through the trees at the posts. They were still far enough away not to be spotted, but just barely. The element of surprise was the best thing they had going for them.

“What do you want me to do?” Galo asked. “Hold your hand?”

“Yes, actually. Not right away, but as soon as I start using my Ruined magic. Just grab on to me.”

“Got it.”

“And tell me if you see anyone coming. I want to try to keep them all at a distance. If anyone recognizes me they’ll know I’m coming for Iria.”

Galo nodded.

Aren stepped forward, Galo close behind him. They kept low to the ground in the darkness.

“Did Olivia get in unnoticed?” Galo asked quietly.

“No. The warriors saw them coming and sent a whole mess of people to greet them, from what I’ve heard.”

“And Olivia killed them all.”

“Yes.”

“She didn’t do us any favors there,” Galo grumbled.

Aren straightened as they walked out of the trees. They were in sight now, if the warriors in the tower were paying attention and could see in the dark.

“Now?” Galo asked.

“Now.” Aren broke into a run. Galo’s shoes pounded the dirt beside him.

They ran in silence for at least a full minute, and Aren wondered if perhaps they’d gotten lucky. Maybe the warriors couldn’t see them. The moon was only a sliver tonight.

An arrow whizzed through the air and sailed past his ear. Horse hooves pounded the ground.