Frozen Tides (Falling Kingdoms #4)(122)

“Ready?” Jonas asked him as he drew near.

There were dark circles under Felix’s eyes, and his skin looked drawn and pale. “I’m so ready I’d be happy to swim all the way back just to get away from this rock.” His brow drew together as Jonas clasped his shoulder. “I’m fine, don’t bother worrying about me.”

“I think I’ll worry anyway, just to be safe.”

“Promise me, Agallon, that when we get back, we’re going to find this fire god, and we’re going to tear him into small, smoldering pieces. Got me? He will pay for what he did to her.”

Jonas nodded firmly. “Agreed. Now, let’s get on our way.”

“Wait!” Mikah called out to them just before they stepped aboard the ship. “Jonas, I told Taran to come here this morning to see you off—thought you’d want to meet my second in command before you leave.”

“Ah, yes. Taran. The Auranian who broke my nose,” Felix said, pointing at his face. “Luckily, Olivia took care of that too.”

“I suppose we can wait a few more minutes,” Jonas said. “I’d be honored to meet him.”

A tall young man with bronze-colored hair walked down the dock and came to stand next to Mikah. “Jonas Agallon, this is Taran Ranus.”

Jonas reached out to shake his hand. “Kick some Kraeshian arse for me, would you?”

“Gladly.” Taran raised a brow as Nic tentatively approached them.

“Nicolo Cassian,” Jonas said, now frowning at the way Nic seemed to be gawking at the rebel. “This is Taran—”

“Ranus,” Nic finished. “Your family name is Ranus, isn’t it?”

“How did you know that?”

“You have a brother named Theon.”

Taran grinned. “Twin brother, actually.”

“Identical twin.”

“That’s right. Theon was always the good one, the perfect son, following in our father’s footsteps. I’m the . . . well, whatever I am. The troublemaker, I guess. When things quiet down here, I need to get back to Auranos for a visit. It’s been so long since I’ve been in touch with my family. I take it you know Theon?”

Nic stared at Taran as if stunned, as if somehow frightened by the mention of Theon’s name.

“Nic?” Jonas prompted when Nic continued to remain silent.

“I . . . I’m so sorry to be the one to deliver this news,” Nic began. “But your father, your brother . . . they’re both dead.”

“What?” Taran stared at Nic in shock. “How?”

“You father, it was an accident. Terrible but unavoidable, and no one was at fault. But your brother . . .” Nic’s eyes shifted back and forth with uncertainty before they narrowed in a solemn gaze. “He was murdered. By Prince Magnus Damora.”

Taran took a step back, doubled over slightly at the waist. All was silent for several long, uncomfortable moments, save for the squawking of seabirds and the crashing of waves against the shore.

“Mikah . . .” Taran said, his face a shroud of stunned grief. “I have to go with them now. Today. I have to go to Mytica and avenge my brother’s death. But I promise I’m not done with the revolution. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

Mikah nodded. “Do what you have to do.”

“So you’re coming with us, are you?” Jonas asked. “Just like that?”

The friendly glint in Taran’s eyes had transformed to a flash of fury. “Is that a problem for you?”

“Not if you don’t make it one.”

“I have no conflict with you, but I will find Prince Magnus. And when I do, he will pay for what he’s done to my family. I know he sent you here. So does that mean you’ll try to stop me?”

Jonas considered him for a long moment. He was currently allied with the prince, but that had nothing to do with this personal grievance. And as far as he could tell, Magnus deserved whatever Taran had in store for him. “No, I won’t stop you.”

“Good.”

Taran left to fetch some belongings for the journey, and Jonas turned to Nic.

“I have a feeling that Taran’s not the only troublemaker in our midst. You didn’t have to tell him the truth about his brother. Trying to stir up old conflicts for the prince, are we?”

Nic shrugged lightly, but there was a hard edge to his expression now as he met Jonas’s curious gaze. “All I did was tell the truth. Taran deserves to know what happened to Theon. And, what, you think Magnus shouldn’t pay for his crimes?”

“That’s not what I said, not at all. I just wonder about your motive.”

“Pure, unadulterated hatred for Prince Magnus and his evil family. That’s my motive. Cleo’s gone completely blind when it comes to him. Whatever I have to do to protect her, I’ll do it.”

“Wonderful. We have a ship full of vengeance-seekers headed back with us.”

“The more the merrier, I say.”

Nic’s gaze slid beyond Jonas and toward the docks behind him. In an instant, all the blood appeared to drain from his face, leaving him as white as snow.

“What’s wrong now?” Jonas glanced over his shoulder to see someone—a stranger—approaching their ship. “Let me guess. Another ghost from your past?”