Allied (Ruined #3)(83)

“Sorry.”

“Sure you are. Do you want me to go get Em? She’s not slow.”

“Yes, actually.” She wasn’t going to get anywhere sparring with someone so slow, and the prospect of practicing with Em suddenly didn’t seem so scary.

“Really?”

He looked so happy that she couldn’t stop herself from laughing. “Yes. I need someone who actually challenges me.”

He darted out of the room like he was afraid she’d change her mind, and returned with Em a few minutes later.

“I heard that Aren’s so terrible even you can beat him,” Em said with a grin.

“Hey! Maybe she’s just really good,” Aren protested.

Em picked up Aren’s discarded sword. “She’s not bad, from what I remember.” Her eyes darted to Iria’s feet. “Should I take it a bit easy on you at first?”

Iria sighed. “Yes, unfortunately.”

She thought Em might make fun of her, but she just nodded. “Is he staying?” she asked, gesturing to Aren.

Iria glanced at him, and he shook his head before she had to ask. “No, I’m going. I’ll come get you later for dinner?” He said it as a question, and she smiled and nodded.

He left, closing the door behind him, and Iria turned to Em. She had an amused expression on her face.

“What?” Iria asked.

“He’s so awkward around you,” Em said, swinging her sword in a circle to warm up her arm. “It’s cute. Aren’s rarely awkward with anyone.”

Iria felt herself blush, and she didn’t step forward when Em did. Em lowered her sword, looking at her expectantly.

“I was wondering about something,” Iria said. “About me and Aren. Ruined only date and marry each other, until you, but you’re . . .” She trailed off, wondering if it was rude to say the word.

“Useless,” Em finished.

“Right. But Aren’s not. He’s the most powerful of all of you. I imagine he’ll be one of the Ruined representatives?”

Em nodded.

“Will it be a problem, if we . . . if we’re together?” Iria asked slowly. “Will they be angry? Will it cause problems for him?”

“No,” Em said immediately. “My mother thought that the Ruined should only marry each other, like all the Ruined before her, and all it did was weaken our power and reduce our numbers. I think it’s actually preferable that Aren’s chosen you. And I know I’m not the only one who will feel that way.”

Iria couldn’t help the smile that spread across her face. She ducked her head, trying to hide it.

“He did choose you, you know,” Em said. “I know you were angry when he said he’d leave you in Lera alone, but he came for you as soon as he could.”

“I know,” Iria said. She wasn’t angry with Aren about that anymore, she realized. She didn’t think she’d been angry since she’d heard his voice in the Olso prison. Maybe before that, even. She couldn’t blame him for wanting to help his people, or for not wanting to abandon Em.

“Do you remember when we used to come in here and spar on the days when you were particularly full of rage?” Iria asked.

“That was almost every day.”

“It was.”

“And I beat you almost every day.”

Iria lifted her sword and stepped forward. “Want to try to do it again?”

Em grinned. “Gladly.”





FORTY-THREE


AFTER HER SPARRING session with Iria, Em changed her clothes and emerged from the royal suite to see Mateo standing outside the door, as usual. He wasn’t as formal as Cas’s guards, instead leaning against the wall and smiling at her when she stepped into the hallway.

“Do I need to take guards with me if I leave the castle grounds?” she asked him.

“I would recommend it. Take me with you, at the least,” Mateo said. “Where do you want to go?”

“I told Mariana we could take a walk to see Royal City. She’s never been.” Em patted her pocket, where she had a few Lera coins that Cas had given her. “Maybe buy some cheese bread.”

“If it’s just the two of you, I’d recommend you take me along. I’ll hang back; you’ll barely notice I’m there.”

“That seems a bit weird, don’t you think?” Em asked with a laugh. “I think I’d prefer you just walk with us.”

“I can do that, too.” Mateo smiled.

“Good.” She turned and began walking, Mateo falling into step beside her.

“May I ask you a question?” he asked, a hint of nervousness in his voice.

“Sure.”

“Did you have guards in the Ruina castle? Did anyone guard the royal family?”

Em shook her head. “No. It was unnecessary. Most of the time there was no one but the Ruined in Ruina. And there was no danger when an Olso warrior came to visit, because only a few visited at a time. My mother made sure of that.” She started down the stairs. “Besides, my parents trusted no one. My mother especially never would have trusted my and Olivia’s safety to anyone but herself.” She’d failed, of course, and Em wondered if guards would have made a difference when Lera attacked them. In the end, her mother relied only on herself, so there was no one to protect her when King Salomir came for her.