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-An excerpt from the Della Daily Life

Witnesses have reported hearing strange sounds coming from within the gates of Infinity’s Edge every night this week. One man described the disturbance as “a low growl coming from deep within the earth.” Another woman claimed that at certain hours of the night, “even the ground seemed to shake.”

These allegations come on the heel of Queen Raine’s unprecedented decision to recall all members of the Time Guild to Della, an order which experts say could threaten political negotiations in gate worlds where tensions have been on the rise.

Despite repeated inquiries from the press, representatives at Infinity’s Edge still have not made a formal statement regarding the recall, and when asked about the noise, one official, who hasasked to remain nameless, stated, “The Queen has decided to redecorate.”

Early the next day, Kato had come through on his promise.

Five horses were lined up outside the public stables, and the stableboys were finishing with the supplies. The sun felt warm, a welcome reprieve from the lingering morning chill, and there was no sign of rain on the horizon.

For better or worse, they’d be off within the hour.

Ivain leaned against the paddock fence, arms crossed, lips pressed into a thin line. “I should never have agreed to this.”

Skye snorted. “Haven’t we already been over this?” he asked as he finished strapping a bandolier of knives to his chest. He was armed to the teeth this morning, with a sword at his back, two more blades hidden in his boots, a collapsible staff buckled to his thigh, and a set of pistols holstered at his waist—both modified with Taly’s crystal chit system. “I’m going. There’s no use trying to talk me out of it.”

“That’s not what I mean.”

Skye snapped, “Then what do you mean?” It came out more harshly than he intended. Ivain didn’t deserve his anger. He knew that. They had all been struggling to cope with the consequences of Taly’s actions, and Ivain had taken the rational approach. He had tried to deal with the loss and move forward despite the grief. He had tried to encourage Skye to do the same.

Eventually, he would come to see that. Eventually, he would be grateful for the people that had cared enough to try to pull him back when they thought he’d been standing on the brink of something terrible.

Eventually—but not yet. The pain was still too fresh, and Taly was still out there. His… bondmate.

He was still marveling at that word.

Ivain sighed, glancing at the man that stood on the other side of the yard, speaking with Kato. He was slender and fit with moon-white hair and a narrow face, and his fancy frockcoat and white tie looked too clean for a stable yard.

“Ah.” Skye pulled on his coat, smoothing the fabric over his armor. “You don’t trustKalahad.” The High Lord of Earth’s younger brother, whom Kato had introduced them to earlier that morning.

“Not a lick,” Ivain admitted without shame. “He was a good kid when he was younger, but now—”

“He kidnaps Feseraa,” Skye finished. “Presumably. There are rumors, but no evidence, and Kato claims he’s honorable.”

“Perhaps,” Ivain conceded—grudgingly. “But he’s still been vocally anti-mortal the few times I’ve met him, which makes me wonder why he was so eager to dedicate resources to a rescue mission for a human. I just can’t figure out what he stands to gain.”

“What makes you think he’s trying to gain anything?”

Ivain snorted. “I’ve been around a long time, boy, and I know a snake when I see one. He’s given us three of his strongest mages during the middleof a siege, and fey aren’t that generous. Not where humans are concerned.”

“You were that generous,” Skye pointed out. “You took in an unknown human just because she needed you.”

“I was old and lonely,” Ivain grumbled. “Not to mention, Sarina had already spent half my fortune buying new clothes for the girl before the end of the first week. This Kalahad, however… He’s hiding something. I can feel it.”

Yes, Skye had been having similar worries, but— “We’re not in a position to turn down help right now, no matter the source.”

“Believe me, I understand the variables,” Ivain said, even if he still looked distinctly unhappy. “My sweet sister has explained them to me at length. I am well aware that Kalahad is our only option, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be cautious.

“Watch what you say and do. His men will be watching every move you and your brother make, looking for information that could be used against you. We may be in the middle of a war, but don’t think for one second that’s going to stop those with more ambition than sense from trying to seize power.”

Skye nodded. It was good advice, and while he trusted his brother—something he was still trying to come to terms with—Kalahad was an unknown.

Ivain reached into his pocket. “A gift from Aimee,” he said, pushing a small, nondescript box into Skye’s hands. “She said it will last up to three days once activated. When you get back, we can figure out something more permanent.”

Skye quickly pocketed the box. “Understood.”

“And—”