Allied (Ruined #3)(73)

Soon, the top of the castle finally came into view. Guards stood at their usual posts, and the castle wall had been fully repaired since the last time Galo had seen it.

One of the guards recognized Galo, and his eyes widened. He looked from Galo to Aren and back again. He rushed to open the gate. Another guard darted away from the others and up the castle steps. He disappeared inside.

Galo pulled his horse to a stop in front of the gate and dismounted. He unhooked his bag and swung it over his shoulder. Beside him, Aren and Iria also dismounted, Iria wincing as she put pressure on her foot.

“Wait here for a minute,” Galo said to the four men. He walked to one of the gate guards—Wade—and lowered his voice. “We just met those four men on the road. They said they have information for the king. They’ll need to be searched for weapons and accompanied by guards if they set foot in the castle.”

Wade nodded, then smiled broadly. “Welcome back.”

Galo returned the smile. “Thank you.” He took a step toward the castle, then stopped and glanced back at Aren and Iria. Iria had her head tipped back, staring up at the castle like she hadn’t seen it before, hadn’t spent weeks here not long ago. Maybe it looked different this time.

“Are you coming?” Galo asked.

Aren offered his arm to Iria. She shook her head and stepped forward. “I’m fine.”

Galo turned back to the castle entrance to see Cas flying through the door. His face broke into a grin when he spotted Galo. He sprinted down the steps and pulled Galo into a hug.

Galo laughed as he squeezed Cas. “Nice to see you too.”

“You’re totally insane.” Cas pulled away, keeping his hands on Galo’s shoulders. “Did you really go to Olso?” His eyes flicked behind Galo and he seemed to find his answer immediately as he spotted Iria.

“You seem surprised,” Aren said with a hint of amusement. “You didn’t actually think I’d be able to rescue her?”

Cas laughed, then to Galo’s surprise, embraced Aren briefly. Aren appeared even more shocked.

“I never doubted it for a second,” Cas said. He turned his attention to Iria. “It’s nice to see you again, Iria.”

“You too,” Iria said quietly.

Galo glanced behind Cas. If Mateo was on duty, he wasn’t allowed to leave his post. So it didn’t mean anything that he hadn’t shown up yet to greet him.

That’s what Galo was telling himself, anyway.

Em appeared at the door and rushed out, grabbing Aren for a hug. Galo pulled Cas aside and spoke quietly.

“Those men claim to have seen the Olso army and Olivia,” he said. “We just met them an hour ago. They want to give you information directly.”

“Let’s hear it, then,” Cas said, striding toward the men.

“Cas.” Galo jogged to catch up with him. “I don’t know them; you should have an adviser—”

Cas waved his hand. “It’s fine. I’m immortal.”

Galo made an exasperated noise, but several guards were already surrounding Cas, shielding him from the men, who looked startled to see the king approaching them.

Galo started to edge forward, hoping to hear what the men had to say, but a flash of blue caught his eye. Mateo ran out of the castle in his guard uniform, skidding to a stop when he saw the crowd at the gate. His eyes were wild as they bounced over each person, until he found Galo.

Galo let his bag slip through his fingers. Mateo ran to him, almost knocking him over as he hugged him.

“You idiot,” Mateo said fiercely.

Galo laughed, relief coursing through his veins. He wrapped his arms around Mateo’s waist and dropped his forehead onto his shoulder.

“You idiot,” Mateo said again, quieter.

“I’m sorry,” Galo whispered.

Mateo pulled away from him, putting his hands on Galo’s neck as he examined him. “Are you hurt?” He found the cut on Galo’s eyebrow, not yet fully healed. “What happened?”

“Olivia.” He touched it gingerly. “It’s fine. Aren is well-prepared for injuries.” He took Mateo’s hand, glancing at the guards around them within earshot. Cas was inviting the men into the castle, gesturing for Em to follow them. Galo would have to hear what the men had said later.

“Come talk to me?” he asked Mateo.

Mateo squeezed his hand and nodded. They walked inside and up the stairs to Jovita’s room—or Galo’s room. He was still having a hard time thinking of it that way. It was just as Galo had left it, the wardrobe door ajar from when he’d hurriedly grabbed his jacket.

He dropped his bag on the floor and sat down on the edge of the bed. His body felt heavy, his legs sore from days on a horse.

“I’m sorry I left like that,” Galo said to Mateo, who was still lingering by the door. “I could have taken a few more minutes to talk to you, but I just left.”

“You could have,” Mateo said, lifting an eyebrow. Then he smiled, walking forward until his knees brushed Galo’s. Mateo took his hand and laced their fingers together. “I didn’t really listen, though. You needed to find a way to help. I just wanted you to stay here, where you were safe.”

Galo nodded, swallowing down the lump in his throat.

“Did you succeed?” Mateo asked, one side of his mouth turning up. “Or are you planning a second trip to Olso? Or maybe Vallos this time? They’ve declared war on us too, you know.”