Page 276 of Dirty Hit

“We’ve not had the chance to grieve for our king,” Reylan said quietly. “Agalhor…who was more than that to all of us.”

Izaiah swore, turning away and pinching the bridge of his nose. “I need warning before you tear off my shitty bandages on that wound.”

Reylan moved toward Izaiah, placing a hand on his shoulder as they reflected on their fallen king and father figure. “I know we still don’t have time to honor him properly, but we will. In his name we charge forward in this war. We claim back Rhyenelle with his daughter and heir. He gave us the lives we live today, and I won’t ever forget that.”

Izaiah dropped his hand, and they embraced, passing their promise and their sorrow. Kyleer stood, uncertain of where to place himself. Izaiah, bold as he was, let go of Reylan and pulled his brother into him anyway. Kyleer’s stiffness eased after a moment, and he relaxed.

“We need to get all our messages to the generals out now. Then begin repositioning the armadas,” Reylan said, slipping into his general persona.

He didn’t like the threat of war and battle—it always meant brave and innocent lives would be lost—but this was what he was good at. Leading, predicting, and strategizing in the face of high threat and pressure.

Faythe had only been gone from him for a little over an hour by the time he’d finished making early plans and sentmessengers, but with their newly forged mating bond, every minute away from her unsettled him until he could hardly stand it.

Dusk was falling, and he planned to steal her away for the night regardless of the protest he predicted she’d have, always one to sacrifice her time for others. He had to be her balance. After all she’d been through, and with what was coming, the best he could offer her were moments to forget and feel loved with him.

After trying a few places he believed she might be and turning up lonely, Reylan used their bond, his new favorite link that could reach her no matter how far, so long as she didn’t close off on her end.

“I’m all for finding you, but when I do, I’m claiming a prize.”

The moment he felt it took more strain than it should to reach her mind, his steps came to a halt mid-hallway.

Before she could respond, he added, voice turning serious,“Where have you run off to?”

The moment it took for her to reply flexed his fists at his sides.

“It’s probably best you wait until I’m back for that answer.”

She was going to be the death of him.

“I would have come with you.”

“It can’t wait. I’ll be back with you soon, and I’ll make it up to you.”

The devious thing caressed his senses with desire. Though his concern had him on edge, he trusted her, and most of all, he believed in her.

“Then just tell me you’re not alone.”

“I’m not.”

That she didn’t inform who her company was made him assume the worst. Once he decided it had to be Zaiana, he knew then they could have only gone one place.

The Mortus Mountains.

“I’m going to have my way with you the moment you get back,”he said, needing to back down from one of many risky tasks they might need to be separated for.

“I’m counting on it, General.”

He internally groaned. She knew what that title in her sultry little voice did to him.

Needing to busy himself or he’d risk going after her anyway, Reylan found the one person he distrusted most of all. Rainyte Ashfyre was an incredulous person to have shown up during their moment of peril. Reylan didn’t like him regardless of the help he’d offered so far.

“Running home, are you?” Reylan called at his back when he found him wandering the halls.

“Sounds like you care if I stay,” Nyte drawled, turning to him smoothly.

Now he knew he was Marvellas’s son, Reylan couldn’t help but notice the uncanny mannerisms they shared sometimes.

“I would rather you didn’t.”

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