Ruined (Ruined, #1)(53)

“Would you prefer to carry it?” Iria asked, raising an eyebrow. “It will just attract attention.”

Em handed the sword over, and Iria slipped it through the leather on the right side of her belt.

“We’re supposed to meet Koldo, Benito, and Aren not far from here,” Iria said, taking a glance around. The main road that led into the center of Royal City stretched out to the east.

Behind them, the wheels of a cart squeaked as a man pushed it toward the center of town. They were so close Em could hear the laughter coming from the cluster of buildings. A few more steps and maybe she’d be able to smell cheese bread.

The man glanced over his shoulder as he turned the cart around a corner.

“Let’s get out of here,” Em said.

“Follow me.” Iria took off jogging, and Em hurried behind her. They ran across the road and through the tall grass until Em’s legs and lungs burned. She’d lost some of her stamina while in the castle.

They headed away from the center of Lera. They were traveling west, to the jungle. Em had taken the main roads and skirted around the edge of the jungle on her journey to Royal City several weeks ago, but she’d already considered it as the best way to go south.

The heart of the jungle was still a half day’s walk away, but Iria led them into the thick band of trees just outside Royal City. She slowed to a walk and Em coughed as she tried to catch her breath.

“You should have gone running with me in the mornings.” Iria was annoyingly smug.

“I’ll . . . be fine in a few days,” Em said, taking in gulps of air. “I always adjust quickly.”

Iria smirked. “I hope so. They’ve only just begun to send out guards after us.” She took off at a quick walk, and Em struggled to keep pace behind her.

Two figures came into view, and Em frantically scanned the area around them.

“Where’s Aren?” she asked, jogging past Iria.

Koldo’s eyes were wide with regret. “I’m sorry. I got separated from Aren right after we left the castle. There were guards everywhere, and we were both just trying to get away.”

Her heart squeezed painfully in her chest. “They didn’t catch him, did they?”

“I don’t think so. But I never got a chance to tell him where we were meeting.”

She let out a relieved sigh. It was unlikely anyone would be able to catch Aren, especially now that he was free to use his powers. He would be better off than any of them.

“He’ll head straight for Fort Victorra,” she said. “We can meet him there.”

“Are you sure you want to go?” Iria asked. “The king will assume you’re headed that way, and he’s going to send an army to hunt you down.”

“What’s my other option?”

“You can join Benito on our ships. Koldo and I will make sure the warriors at the fortress rescue Olivia.”

“No. I’m going.”

“I figured,” Iria said. “Koldo and I will be going with you. We’ve instructed a few warriors to meet us with supplies and horses in the jungle.”

“Thank you.” Em regarded the warriors suspiciously. Rescuing Olivia had never been part of their deal. She’d been under the impression that task would be completely up to her. “And after we rescue Olivia?” she asked.

“The king will want to meet you two, of course,” Iria said. “You can accompany us back to Olso.”

There it was. The warriors weren’t helping her so much as keeping tabs on her and Olivia.

“Benito, you’ll go inform our ships we’re moving up the attack,” Iria said.

“To when?” Em asked.

“Tomorrow night,” Iria said. Benito nodded.

Em’s stomach twisted, the fear for Cas immediate and stronger than she would have liked.

Iria gestured at Benito, who pulled the bag off his back and gave it to her. He tossed Em his coat.

Iria dug around inside the bag, producing a canteen. She held it out to Em. “That’s yours. You’re very welcome.”

“Thank you,” she said, and actually meant it. She’d be much better off with two warriors than she would be on her own.

And if Iria tried to force her to go to Olso after they rescued Olivia, she’d deal with that when the time came.





TWENTY-FOUR


CAS STRETCHED OUT on the couch in his library, folding his hands behind his neck. He’d had all his bedding thrown out and replaced with entirely new linens, but his bed still reminded him of her. Mary had left her presence in every corner of his life, but she’d left the biggest one in his bed, even after only one night.

Emelina, he corrected himself, trying to push the image of her out of his head. He’d promised himself he wouldn’t think about her, but she wriggled into his brain at every possible moment. He could think of nothing else.

His parents had stopped all the summer activities, and the castle had been eerily quiet all day. The staff edged around him like they were afraid he was going to explode. He was used to making people uncomfortable, but this was something new and much worse. They pitied him.

He hated her. He hoped she’d tripped on one of her stupid dresses and broken something and was now hobbling around in terrible pain.

A wave of guilt followed the thought. He cursed himself for it.