Page 169 of The Forsaken Heir
“I’m not going to let him win,” Aurelius said. “Not after what he put me through, and not after what he’s tried to do to Elle. Irefuse.” He patted his father’s arm. “And your son is coming home this time. Count on that.”
Cassius nodded, but there was no relief in his eyes, only more fear. “I know you’ll come home. I just wonder if it will be on your feet, or if your friends will be bringing home your body. You have no idea what Bastien is capable of.Noneof us do.”
“True.” Aurelius leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest. “But we won’t be alone. We aren’t dumb.”
“Fair enough,” Cassius said with a sigh. “Who’s to be in your entourage?”
“Vince and Rasp, of course,” Aurelius said. “Also, Delphine has refused to be left behind. Octavius will be there with me, and Elle’s brother Freddy will be going as well.”
Cassius’s brows rose, and he pinned me with his stare. “Do you think it’s wise for your little brother to be there?”
That was a good question. Though, what Cassius didn’t know was that Freddy had intel we might need. Information Bastien would have killed him for had he known he had it. It was a secret he’d revealed to me and Aurelius the night before, and we knew we couldn’t deny him the chance to face down Bastien. We’d decided to keep it between the three of us to ensure there was absolutely no way it might be passed along to Bastien.
“He’s done a lot for us,” I said at last. “He got Aurelius out. He’s a good fighter as well, as he’s shown when helping me train. If things go…” I hesitated, uncomfortable with the truth. “If things take a bad turn, he’ll be a good ally in a fight.”
Cassius chewed on his cheek and glanced back and forth between Aurelius and me before he finally nodded to himself.
“It sounds like we’ve done as much planning as we can. Itrulywish I could join you, but, alas, a king must stay on his throne.These aren’t the old days when kings and emperors would ride into battle with their armies.”
“That, and Titus would throw a fit if you even suggested it,” Aurelius said with a chuckle.
“This is true,” Cassius said, finally smiling again before waving us on. “Go on. You need to find your people and prepare. I’ll meet you on the roof for your departure.”
Our people were actually a few steps ahead of us. They’d already assembled in one of the antechambers near the topmost floor of the castle, brought together by Octavius. He’d been with us that fateful night at my family’s mansion. He’d lost several good men that night and had been thirsting for another chance to go against my brother and his men.
When we walked in, he was speaking with Sahalie, Achakos, and Kaskawan. They stopped speaking at our arrival.
“Is everyone ready?” Aurelius asked, glancing from Octavius to the others. Delphine and Freddy were on the couch, and Rasp and Vince were huddled in the corner, worried but determined looks on their faces.
“I think so,” Vince said. “No reason to put off bad stuff if it’s going to come no matter what you do.”
“A good sentiment.” Sahalie smiled at Vince. He grinned and quickly lowered his eyes when his cheeks flushed.
Titus entered the room behind us, looking pleased that we were all assembled.
“Good morning, everyone,” he said. “Are we ready to depart? The agreed-upon location is roughly an hour flight from here, so we do need to be on our way if you are to arrive on time.”
“I think we are,” Aurelius said, glancing around the room. “Any last-minute needs or requests?”
His question was met with silence and a few shaken heads. It seemed everyone was as stressed as I felt.
Titus led us up to the roof. Cassius was already there—a heavy fur cloak wrapped around him—to ward off the cold. Outside of the gala, I hadn’t seen him wearing anything that made him look like a king. He had a regal look on his face that hadn’t been there earlier. Most likely a show for his people so they didn’t see how worried he was.
Aurelius hugged his father, and they exchanged a few whispered words. Titus called over several servants who were laden down with coats, cloaks, and blankets. The Hikshil had requested to arrive at the meeting upon dragonback to show that they were aligned with House Decimus in more than words. They’d need warmth even with whatever magic they might be able to conjure for themselves during the flight.
After we were all dressed in warmer clothes, the four dragon shifters changed forms, and we climbed on their backs. Delphine and I were with Aurelius, Sahalie and Achakos on Vince’s back, and Kaskawan with Rasp, and Freddy with Octavius.
“Are you alright, little brother?” I called with a smile, watching the terror blooming in Freddy’s eyes.
He glanced up and visibly swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing like crazy. With wide, horrified eyes, he opened his mouth to speak, then closed it without making a sound. He nodded twice before reaching down and taking hold of the spines that lined Octavius’s back.
I chuckled and patted Aurelius on his head. “It’s okay. They’re really good at flying. If you fall off, he’ll more than likely be able to swoop down and catch you before you hit the ground.”
Freddy’s eyes bulged. “What do you mean?—”
Freddy never had time to finish his sentence because Octavius hopped off the castle parapet and took flight. The last thing I heard was Freddy’s terrified scream. Vince and Rasp took off behind him, and Cassius stepped forward to pat Aurelius’s inky black snout.
“Keep your promises, Aurey,” the king said. “I expect to see you again tonight. In one piece.”
