Page 41 of The War of Wings
Adorex sniffed at Cal’s sword as he lifted his bag onto Obitus’ back and tied it down. “I think she likes me,” he laughed, gently patting Adorex’s snout.
Cal. Good, Adorex thought, and my heart swelled.
Miles was silent as he tightened the strap at Gehenna’s side. He’d willingly joined in all the preparations, but most of his answers to me and Cal were short, the words unadorned. He said what he needed to and nothing more. He hardly spoke to Nell and Whit, not even when they were being — admittedly — irritating. The moment the day’s tasks were completed, he promptly retreated to his chambers.
“Need anything else?” I asked, coming to stand by Miles’ side.
“Nope,” he answered without looking up from his task.
I placed a gentle hand on his arm, and his movements stopped, though his eyes stayed forward. “You okay?”
“I’m fine.” He continued fastening the strap, and I stared at his profile that was so much like Cal’s.
“You went through a lot.”
He gave the strap a final tug, patting Gehenna’s side. “We all did.” Then he walked away, back to where Summercut stood, conferring with him one last time before we departed.
Miles. Angry,Adorex thought.Gehenna. Miles. Safe.
“She’ll keep him safe?”
Adorex chuffed in confirmation. Gehenna would keep Miles safe.
“Thank you, Gehenna,” I murmured as I laid a gentle hand against her side. It didn’t do much to calm the disquiet in my chest about Miles, though.
My mother emerged from the crowd, Solise at her side. I’d seen her a few times since we’d returned from Eserene, but never for longer than a few minutes. Never long enough to have a conversation aside from asking if she’d been getting enough to eat and if she was sleeping well. And since talking with Larka, I felt a sense of peace. I loved my mother, but it wasn’t fair. I loved her, but what she did to me, what she expected of me, wasn’t fair. And there wasn’t much I could do or say to change that.
Ma’s lips were pressed in a tight line, but her eyes crinkled at the corners. “I’m so proud of you,” she whispered as she pulled me into her arms.
I leaned into her, pretending for just a moment she’d been the mother I’d needed and not the mother she was. We were who we were because of the things we’d endured. And a life spent living in Inkwell had made her distant, soft, and sensitive. I couldn’t fault her for that anymore than I could fault myself for being distrusting, cynical, and scrappy.
Acceptance. It felt…good. It was freeing.
“I don’t know what else to say other than I’m sorry,” she murmured, pulling back to search my eyes.
I let out a heavy breath. “I forgive you, Ma.” For everything. Because I had a feeling that even if she hadn’t been despondent, even if she hadn’t married Castemont, I would’ve ended up right here anyway.
A single tear spilled down her cheek, her hand moving to her mouth. “Go be the queen I know you are.”
Solise stepped forward, pulling me into a hug. “Be careful,” she whispered.
“I will be.”
She planted a kiss on my cheek, giving my shoulders a squeeze before moving back to stand beside Ma again. I raised my gloved hand to wave goodbye. “Hopefully I’ll be returning with an army.”
A few feet away, I fought a smile as I watched Cal give Kauvras a stiff handshake. They’d talked, though I hadn’t pried for details. He’d tell me when he was ready.
Kauvras. Good, Adorex thought.
“Really?” I asked quietly.
Kauvras. Good. Kauvras. Sad.
Something about that sent a pang of hurt through me. Kauvras’ hands flexed at his side as he and Cal exchanged a few words, as if he wanted to reach out and hug his son, clap him on the shoulder.
“Petra,” Summercut called from behind me, gesturing to the piece of parchment in his hands. I steeled my spine as I approached him and Miles, Cal close behind. “Alright,” Summercut started, looking down at the parchment that outlined our plans. “You’re flying to Redwater tonight. I’m not sure what state you’ll find it in. They didn’t reply when we sent word about Malosym.” I nodded, mentally preparing myself for what that meant. “Rest there tonight, then you’ll fly two days across the Widow’s Sea to Nesan. Now, you’re sure the drivas can make that flight?”
“Adorex, are you sure you can fly for two days straight?” I called, and Summercut flinched when her massive head swung our way. He still wasn’t used to the drivas. In all fairness, neither was I.
