Page 110 of The Call of Crimson
For a long moment, she stays rigid. Then, blessedly, she softens under my hand.
“Please, love,” Ayden says, voice low. “I’m not fighting you. Drop the dagger, and I’ll answer anything you want to ask.”
I move carefully, wrapping my hand around her wrist, applying just enough pressure to lower her arm. She lets me.
Ayden exhales deeply, relief flooding his face.
I could have locked her body in place with my Hemonia Gift if I had to. But I didn’t want that.
I wanted her to choose mercy for herself.
“Good girl,” I whisper into her hair.
Breyla rewards me with a sharp glare, but I’ll take that over tears or regret any day.
“Talk to us, Princess,” Ayden says, his tone softer now. “Tell me what you heard.”
We move to the sitting area, the fire still crackling in the hearth. Ayden takes one chair. Breyla another. I sit next to her, close enough that I can feel the heat radiating from her body.
She doesn’t waste time. “I received word from Elijah that Rimor is under attack at the border withPrudia.”
Ayden’s brows knit together. “How did you receive word from Elijah in the middle of the night?”
“I’m the one asking questions,” Breyla snarls.
Ayden lifts his hands in surrender. “My apologies. Let me start by assuring you, I did not order any attacks on Rimor.”
Breyla flicks her eyes toward me.
“He’s telling the truth,” I confirm immediately.
“Was your general acting on his own?” she presses.
Pride burns in my chest. She caught the subtle distinction. He saidhedidn’t order it, but that didn’t mean Prudian soldiers weren’t involved.
“I do not believe so,” Ayden answers. “I can confirm with Darian, if you’d like. It will take a bit to reach him.”
She nods. “I would like to hear it straight from his mouth.”
“As you wish,” Ayden replies. He closes his eyes, concentrating. A few heartbeats later, he opens them again. “He’ll be here.”
“How exactly are you contacting him without sending a messenger?” I ask, curiosity getting the better of me.
Before Ayden can respond, Breyla says flatly, “His second Gift is illusions. I imagine he sent one to Darian to summon him back.”
That range is rather impressive. By my estimation, Darian is at least fifty miles out.
“Yes, that’s exactly what I just did.” Ayden exhales heavily. “Giving away all my secrets, love?”
Breyla shrugs, utterly unrepentant.
“Be careful sharing others’ secrets,” Ayden warns. “Especially when you have some of your own.”
“You never swore me to secrecy, asshole.”
“Something I’m regretting now,” Ayden mutters.
He turns away, eyes distant as he continues his conversation with Darian.
