The Heart Forger (The Bone Witch #2)(66)

“It’s not over,” Fox said, voice brittle and bleak. “They are coming.”

It was not the dead that came in droves this time but the army of the living, in gleaming armor with polished swords, marching toward the city of Kion. From their flank streamed the flag of Odalia, flashing bright gold and red. Zoya might not be sure if the duke led this attack, but the presence of Odalian soldiers made a compelling argument for it.

“We need to leave now,” Kalen said, putting my own thoughts into words. “They will keep attacking Kion as long as we remain in the city. There is no more time, Your Majesty.”

“And what of Inessa?” Empress Alyx demanded.

“She will not be safe here. That is out of our hands. If the Faceless can infiltrate the palace, then she and Kance’s heartsglass will be safest by the Dark asha and the Heartforger’s side, wherever that may be.”

Mother and daughter looked at each other without speaking. Finally, the older woman reached out and hugged her daughter. “I should have let you make your own decisions,” she said roughly, unshed tears salting her voice. “Protect your betrothed’s heart, Inessa, and may the gods watch over you.”

Zoya spoke up, “I’d like to know how we are leaving the city, surrounded as we are.”

Wordlessly, Fox pointed toward the sky.

“Again?!”

“You can either stay or join us, Zoya. I won’t force you on the azi if you’re not comfortable with it,” I replied.

“You say, ‘comfortable.’ I say, ‘it’s a freaking flying three-headed dragon, you sod.’”

“I don’t think we have much choice, Zoya,” Shadi said gently.

The asha looked at her, squared her shoulders. “I did give my word, didn’t I? But you have every right to refuse, Shad.”

“I go where you go, Zoya. We promised each other.” The doe-eyed asha took Zoya’s hands in hers, and the normally abrasive girl blushed.

“I’m going,” Khalad said quietly.

“So am I,” Likh said immediately.

“I cannot.” Heads turned toward Althy. “Someone needs to stay and ensure the city remains protected after you are gone. Zahid and most of the Deathseekers are away from Kion, and among the other asha, I am the most qualified to take command. We cannot leave Ankyo open for the taking, Your Majesty. And I, for one, cannot leave Mykaela and Polaire alone.”

“But what about my daughter?”

“You will not find worthier people than them, Alyx. They have fought worse demons than I have and saved this city more times than you are aware of.” Althy smiled at us. “I trust them. Zoya, you know Daanorian, so I expect you to take charge.”

Zoya sighed. “I’m surrounded by heroes.”

I opened my eyes. “We need to get out of Kion. Tell them to open the gates for us and to keep as many men away from it as possible.”

“That will be difficult,” Althy murmured. “To leave the city defenses unmanned might provoke the soldiers to step up their attack.”

“They won’t,” I promised. “But whatever you do, don’t distract me. I want to keep my hold as tight as possible.”

Althy nodded. “May the Blade’s path guide your way, Tea. Protect the princess. I will do everything in my power to hold down the fort here.”

I clasped her hands. “Althy. Remember what I told you about the elder asha.”

“Tea…”

“Don’t let them near Polaire or Mykaela. Promise me.”

The asha looked troubled but nodded. “I swear it.”

“We will help them, Tea,” Rahim promised. “I am Tresean. It is in my blood to fight. And Chesh and all the rest—we will help protect the city with the empress and Altaecia until you come back. So you must come back!”

I tried to smile, but the daeva’s thoughts slammed back into mine. My stomach plummeted as it dove straight toward the center of the army, and I forced it back toward the sky without inflicting any casualties, though a trail of arrows followed in our wake. I goaded all three mouths into opening again, and the resulting fire raked across the regiments in front, a blazing line in the ground that prevented them from pushing forward.

I could feel Fox lifting me again, felt him run. I heard sounds of battle and the surge of magic as we fought our way out of the palace. And then I heard Chief close by, nickering, and Fox murmuring softly to the stallion.

I could see Deathseekers and asha engaging the soldiers. Capitalizing on the azi’s work, they summoned more Fire runes until a wall of flames faced the army. The Deathseeker Ostry was calling out orders, and at his command, sharp stalagmites burst from the ground, a natural defense against attackers.

I heard Inessa cry out from somewhere behind us, sensed Fox hesitating.

“Protect the princess, Fox,” Kalen’s voice drew closer. “I’ll stay with Tea.” I felt him take my brother’s place, pressing me against his chest as he took command of Chief. I leaned into his warmth.

I shifted tactics. The daeva made for the entrance of the city, landing with such force that the whole of Kion shuddered.

The Deathseekers had retreated, Ostry and Alsron yelling at their companions not to provoke the azi. We deliberately turned our backs on them, bayed thirstily at the Odalians to do their worst.