Allied

by Amy Tintera

  “They’re following the army?” Galo repeated. “How do you know?”

  “Because we were tracking the army too. They blew through our town not long ago and took whatever they wanted. We’d heard that King Casimir was rebuilding the army in Royal City, so we decided to head that way. We tracked the army until we spotted the Ruined.”

  Galo looked over his shoulder at Aren. He wasn’t sure why Olivia would find a human army and not strike.

  “She’s waiting for something,” Aren said quietly. “The right moment, or . . . I don’t know.” He looked at the men. “Can you tell us anything else about the Ruined? What they were doing? Where is the army now?”

  “I’m—I’m not sure I should say,” the bearded man said nervously. “I think there’s some information I should only give the king.”

  “Understood,” Galo said. He couldn’t fault them for not trusting strangers they’d just met on the road. “Do you want to travel with us? I can’t guarantee you access to the king, but I’ll make sure you get to an adviser.”

  The men agreed and walked stiffly next to their horses as they headed to Royal City, always keeping Aren in their sight. Galo noticed that while Aren was far more subtle about it, he also kept a close watch on the men. The distrust was mutual.

  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.”

  “I think I’ve had my fill of enemy kingdoms for a while.” He looked at his hands, intertwined with Mateo’s. “But I do want to keep helping. I don’t want to rejoin the guard.”

  “I know.”

  “I don’t know what’s going to happen next, or where Cas will need me. Or where Aren will need me.”

  Mateo lifted his eyebrows. “Are you taking orders from Aren now?”

  “Not taking orders, but I support him. He’s my friend.” It felt strange to say it out loud, even if Galo knew it was true.

  “Your friend,” Mateo repeated.

  “He’s not how he seems. He’s actually kind of great.”

  Mateo let out an exaggerated sigh. “I’m sure it doesn’t help that he’s also very good-looking.”

  Galo laughed, pulling on Mateo’s hands to bring him closer. “Are you jealous of Aren?”

  “I wouldn’t say jealous. Concerned, maybe.” A smile played on his lips. “Annoyed. Slightly worried.”

  “We went to rescue Iria because Aren is in love with her. You knew that.”

  “Well, yes. But you’re very charming. He might have changed his mind halfway there.”

  He grabbed the front of Mateo’s shirt and tugged him closer. “I wouldn’t have changed my mind.”

  Mateo smiled as he leaned down to kiss him. “Good.�
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  THIRTY-SEVEN

  “SO JOVITA’S ALIVE,” Em said. “Or she was, a few days ago. Probably not anymore.”

  Cas watched as the guards escorted the men out of his office. They’d spotted not only Olivia and the Olso army, but Jovita as well. She was a prisoner of the Ruined, and it seemed unlikely she was still alive.

  Conflicting emotions warred in his chest. He hadn’t wished for Jovita’s death, but he’d be lying if he said he hadn’t been relieved that the choice had been taken from him.

  One of the guards stole a glance at Em before he shut the door. She sat in Cas’s chair, at his desk, and the guards had kept glancing between her and Cas, like they’d thought this was strange.

  “Should I have moved?” she asked, noticing the guard’s stare. The door quickly shut. “Does it look bad, me sitting in the king’s chair?”

  “No, I think it’s best you sat there,” he said. “No doubt the men will tell everyone what they saw, and people should know I trust you.”

  She leaned back, draping her hands across the arms of the chair. “They may say I’ve taken control. The poor king can’t even sit in his own chair.”

  He shrugged. “Let them say that.” Even if the people in the castle were warming up to the Ruined, they certainly didn’t see Em as Cas’s equal. He could tell by the way they interacted with her, the way some wouldn’t bow or would pretend to not see her in the hallways. Perhaps rumors that Em had more power than Cas would do some good.

  “Why would Olivia be tracking the army?” Em asked. “Has she ever stumbled across humans and not killed them?”

  “Sure, if she wants something from them.”

  “Do you think she’s made a deal with August?”

  “No. Never.” Em shook her head, her eyebrows furrowed. “On both sides, never. You know August hates Ruined as much as Olivia hates humans.”

  “Then . . . ?”

  “If it were me . . .” She considered it for a moment. “I would be waiting to see what the army was going to do. Olivia has too many goals—she wants to kill me, she wants to kill you, she wants to conquer Lera. But she can’t do it all, not with that small group of Ruined. I’d be waiting for the army to attack, and strike then.”

  “I was hoping there was a chance that August would change his mind after I refused his deal.”

  “I think that may be a bit too optimistic,” she said. She smiled as if he’d said something funny.

  “What?”

  “The way you say his name. August.”

  “How do I say it?”

  “Like it tastes bad.”

  “It does.” He wrinkled his nose. “August.”

  She giggled.

  “I don’t like him.”

  “I’m shocked.”

  “He tried to marry you, and then he kidnapped you. I don’t like him.”

  She leaned forward to kiss him. “We have to assume that August is still planning an attack. They’re preparing. Waiting for the right moment. Perhaps we shouldn’t let them have it. Strike first.”

  “We’re better positioned here in the castle. We have walls and towers and we know the area well.”

  “He’s just sitting out there, waiting, though. And he told you warriors are pouring into the country. If we continue to wait for an attack, we may just be letting them build up their army and weapons.”

  “They’re still weakened after the Ruined attack. He could very well be exaggerating to bait us into leaving the safety of the castle and striking first.”

  “True,” she said. “It might be what he wants, for us to grow impatient and strike first.”

  “We’ll wait for now, then?”

  “Fine. But what about Jovita? There’s a possibility that she could provide Olivia with information. It’s probably why she’s keeping her alive.”

  “Jovita doesn’t have any useful information, not anymore. Especially not that we’re redrawing battle plans to include the Ruined.”

  “Good. But you’ll need to decide what to do about her. If someone is able to get to her, what are your orders?”

  He paused, thinking. “I’ll ask people to bring me any reports of Olivia or Jovita sightings, but other than that, let’s just wait.” He let out an annoyed sigh. “If somehow Jovita escapes, she should be brought here to the castle.”

  “Alive?” Em asked.

  “Alive,” Cas confirmed.

  THIRTY-EIGHT

  AREN TOOK IRIA up to Em’s old room, which was almost exactly the same as the last time Aren had seen it. All of Em’s clothes had been removed, but the blue bedding and extravagant furniture were the same.

  Iria walked slowly to the bed and sat with a sigh, then pulled off her shoes. She was clearly in pain every time she walked.

  “We should have a doctor look at your foot,” he said.

  “It just needs to heal.”

  “Are you hungry?” he asked. “I can go find some food for you. Or do you need a bath? I can find a maid to bring up some warm water.” He didn’t know what to do, and he felt like if he offered everything, maybe something might be the right thing to say.

  “I just want to rest,” she said, scooting back on the bed. She pulled back the blankets. That was clearly his cue to leave, but he lingered by the door anyway, hesitant to leave her alone.

  “Do you mind if I come check on you in a few hours?” he asked. “I know it’s uncomfortable, staying in the Lera castle.” He almost added for me, too to the end of the sentence, but that wasn’t really true. His first visit to the castle had been horrible and terrifying, but this one was not. He was relieved to be back.

  “Sure, that’s fine,” she said, pulling the blankets over her. She hadn’t changed her clothes, and Aren realized suddenly that she didn’t have any. She didn’t have anything, except for the clothes on her back.

  He almost told her he’d find some, and anything else she wanted, but she’d already closed her eyes. She probably didn’t care about her things right now. He hadn’t, when they’d all burned. His possessions had been pretty far down the list of worries.

  He walked out of the bedroom, then the sitting room, shutting the door quietly behind him. Em was walking down the hallway, and she stopped in front of her old door.

  “Did those men have useful information?” Aren asked.

  “Not really. They spotted Jovita. Still alive.”

  Aren winced. Olivia certainly wasn’t treating Jovita well. Death might have been kinder.

  “I know.” Em tilted her head toward Iria’s room. “Is she all right?”

  “I think she needs some time to . . .” He wasn’t sure what she needed time to do. Not just heal, but to adjust.

  “Is the injury serious?” Em asked.

  Aren glanced over his shoulder at the maids clustered at the end of the hallway. “Come on,” he said, leading Em down the hall, to the corner room Violet had just shown him. It was smaller than Iria’s, just a single room and bathroom, but it was still impressive, with a huge wardrobe, a large desk, and giant windows that overlooked the south lawn. It was obviously used for important guests, and Aren wasn’t sure it suited him.

  He shut the door behind Em and sat down in the desk chair. Em perched on top of the trunk at the end of the bed.

  “Some of the guards attacked her,” Aren said. “She took a knife to the foot. They cut off a good portion of it.”

  “Can she still put weight on it?” Em asked.

  “She can. Or she will, eventually. It’s still painful. She’ll walk with a limp, though.”

  “She might have a hard time with a sword as well,” Em murmured. “Balance, I mean. It’s fine. I’ll work with her.”

  “Galo and I were talking about it, and we think we can make her a boot to wear that will help. It’s not a terrible injury, she just needs something to balance out the part of the foot she lost.”

  “It’s lucky you got there so fast,” she said. “It could have been much worse.”

  He’d been trying not to
think about that. “How are things here?”

  “We haven’t started any formal meetings yet. We’ve been working on armor and putting together battle strategies so the Ruined can fight with us. Plus, we were hoping you would return soon.”

  “You were waiting for me?” he asked, surprised.

  “There aren’t a lot of Ruined leaders left. Everyone looks up to you. And I think it might be better if you and Mariana take the lead in negotiations, considering my relationship with Cas.”

  “I’d be happy to. I need a day or two to rest, though.”

  “Of course. The other Ruined are downstairs, if you want to go see them. We offered to put some of them in a few rooms like this one, but they wanted to stay together in the guards’ quarters.”

  Aren nodded. He didn’t feel the same, he realized. He wanted to be up here, close to Iria, not back in the tiny guards’ quarters.

  He wasn’t sure how to balance his feelings for her with his responsibilities with the Ruined. He’d never known, but the answer was muddled now. Putting the Ruined first had always been natural, a given, but that wasn’t the case anymore.

  “I want to see about getting some clothes for Iria,” he said. “Is that possible?”

  “They provided some basic stuff to the Ruined, so check with Mariana. There are a lot of refugees from Gallego City and Westhaven in Royal City, so they’re stretched thin, but Cas is doing his best to get everyone basic necessities.”

  He realized that the burst of annoyance that used to accompany any mention of Cas’s name had disappeared. “And you and Cas? Are you officially staying married?”

  “Yes. We’d have to marry again, but we’d like to.” Her throat bobbed as she swallowed. “I was hoping I could get your support on that. I think the other Ruined will follow your lead here.”

  “Em,” he said gently. “Of course. It’s your choice.”

  She looked a little surprised. “You’re sure? You told me once that he was nothing compared to me.”

  “I was wrong. He’s not as strong as you, he’s not the natural leader you are, but he’s not nothing. He’s a good man, and you deserve to be happy. Everything you’ve done has been for the Ruined. We can let you have this.”