Page 114 of War Hour

One court will be returning home to Drytas laying siege to their land, and they would need every able body to defend it.

Evander grips my hand tightly as we move for the carriage where his father waits to leave. “Will you do something for me?” He looks at our linked hands, rubbing his thumbs back and forth over my skin.

When he looks up at me, golden-brown locks almost falling into his eyes, my breath catches in my throat. It’s moments like this that reminds me of the responsibility that weighs on Evander. As Heir—he has a court to protect and defend and people that rely on him.

Blinking softly at Evander, I nod, knowing that I will help him with anything in my power.

Evander brings a hand to my chin, and I don’t flinch at the contact. Instead, leaning forward into his warm touch. Anxiety swirls in the blue waters of Evander’s eyes.

“When it’s time for us all to go to where Drytas has attacked—stay here,” Evander whispers in a soft voice.

My head recoils, eyes blinking rapidly at his request. Does he not think I’m capable of helping? I thought I showed my competency in our battle against the Guard—my shield could protect people, protect him.

Sensing my internal battle, Evander begs in a pained voice, “Please.” He shakes his head as if refusing me. “I can’t do what I need to if I’m worried about you. I need to give my court my full attention.”

My heart cracks, splitting off at his words. Does he know what he is asking me to do? Or better yet—what he is asking me not to do? I’ve spent the last few weeks waiting on everyone else to come solve my problems for me, and now, when I’m ready to confront Drytas, he is asking me to stand down?

Lips pursing, I close off the argument that begs to be released. “If Drytas has his sights set on Truth, I will stay here. So that you can focus on your people. But anywhere else, and we hit the battlefield together. Okay?”

Evander pulls me in, hooking his arm around my neck, pressing my face into his chest. His lips graze my ear when he bends down, saying thank you over and over. Then he grabs my face in both hands, before swooping low to kiss me.

It’s quick. A slight press of lips. Fleeting as if it never happened. But when Lord Gennady informs Evander it is time to go, Evander steps back reluctantly, his body rigid. It looks like he’ll give in and kiss me for even a moment longer.

Rubbing his arm, I squeeze it. “Be careful.”

Walking backward toward his father, Evander salutes me with one hand to his temple.

And as I watch him leave, prepared to defend his people with his life, all I can think is that Evander will make a good lord one day.

I can think of no one better to be the future Crown ruling the Court of Truth.

“Do you suspect who betrayed us?”I ask Sar, twisting my fingers together anxiously from where I lay propped up on one of the couches in the living area.

Following the courts’ departures, Sar and I retreat to the Court of Self’s tower, hoping to catch a few moments of sleep. Sar had been confident, without any explanation, that there was no need to warn Torryn. She’d muttered some excuse about Drytas not being reckless enough to think he could Trial anyone successfully in the Court of Self.

Sar inhales deeply through her nose, biting her lip in contemplation. Turning on her side, she rests her head on her hand. “Whoever it was had something to gain by Drytas’s plan, but anyone could have bargained for their safety from the upcoming war. Anyone who had an ear to what was going on could have seen what was coming. Not automatically a Crown or Heir, but they can’t be ruled out either.”

Pressing my fingers to my temples, I rub in circular motions, hoping it will chase away the doubts creeping in. “That would mean we’ve had someone in the court the entire time to do Drytas’s bidding. We never had a chance of winning the vote during Drytas’s judgment hearing.”

A startling realization makes me gasp. I never told Sar about the assassin. Maybe she would know who could have Trialed at Valor or maybe who wielded a power that could turn off others’.

The words fall from my lips like a curse.

“The assassin.”

Sar sits up like I’ve shocked her, whipping around to look at me. Her eyes are wide as they search my face. “What assassin, Lysta? I know nothing about an assassin.”

Seeing the fear emanating off her, I stammer through a quick explanation.

“I’m fine, really. After the judgment hearing, I was upset and wandered out to the Border Forest. Someone followed me and tried to kill me. They could use telekinesis—Drytas’s power from Valor. I tried to use my shield to protect me, but they also had the power to take mine away when I got close enough. I couldn’t use it. I thought for a moment that it was Drytas, but he doesn’t have that power, at least that I know—”

Sar wears a worried expression. “That’s why you were hurt when you and Evander came back that night.” I nod tightly. “You should have told us. Why didn’t you?”

Sar’s gaze pins me in place, and I avert mine. “Someone had just tried to kill me an hour after I was banished from my court. I didn’t know who to trust. Can you blame me?”

She falls silent on the couch opposing mine. “I don’t know of anybody having that power, Lysta. Which is far more worrisome than you probably realize.” She curses before rolling to face away from me. “Let’s just hope that your assassin didn’t stay behind when the courts left to finish his job.”

Chapter 46

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