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“All right,” dad says with a sigh, patting the papers in front of him, clearly ready to move on from the subject of me. “Let’s get this started.”

I listen carefully as the professionals talk, dad giving the King and the Chancellor some fascinating statistics on the patients that we’ve treated so far. I also get updates on many of them – information on their hospital stays, their movements after. My heart warms to hear about the many people who have been moved into rehabilitative care and the even larger numbers who have already been rehomed.

It all just makes me feel…really good. We’re the front line of this sort of treatment, of course, and don’t always get to hear about where the people we help end up. I glance at Cole, who likewise listens closely, observing the pleasure on his face regarding the good news.

“And what about on your end?” Stanzor asks with a frown. “Are things going to be quiet here for a little bit? Can I send my men back to civilization?”

“Not wise, unfortunately,” Ethan says, pursing his lips for a moment. “We’ve had updates. Keep your men prepared, Stanzor – perhaps requisition more transports, if you need them, that can go longer distances.”

“What’s happening?” dad asks, sharp.

Ethan moves his eyes over all of us, taking a deep breath. “We’re all aware this information is classified,” he murmurs,clearlyfor my sake. I stand straighter. “But we’ve…located what we believe to be the bulk of the Children of Solace living in a set of caves a few miles to the south and west of the original location.”

“You’re kidding,” Cole breathes, obviously thrilled.

“Your information was very helpful, son,” the King says, smiling at his kid. Cole beams. “Who knew news aboutcowswould be the thing that helped us narrow our search? But when we told Jude’s young advisor about the need for pastureland as well as secrecy, he knew immediately the few spots they could have relocated to. One of them shows heat signatures of many living persons.”

I bite my lip,soincredibly pleased that Shayne’s insights led to this – and sofast. Inwardly, I pray that Cole will let me find a way to tell her how helpful she was without breaking any secrecy.

“That’s amazing,” Cole murmurs, standing straighter.

“Cows?” Stanzor asks, turning to look up at Cole, confused.

Cole shrugs, revealing nothing.

The King leans forward, explaining the plan for the next few days. I don’t understand much of the military jargon, but it becomes apparent that they’ll be doing reconnaissance for a few days before they enact a big strike.

“We’re not going to make the same mistake this time,” the King says, glancing at his Chancellor, who nods. “We’re going to take our time to plan out all angles and truly strike with a dual goal of capturing Slaken and ensuring that anyone he’s holding captive gets to safety. Which is whereyouall come in.”

“And the human population?” Cole asks, his voice low, arms crossed over his chest.

The King refocuses on his son. “We haven’t located them specifically. But if and when we do, their care will be part of our top priority.”

Cole nods, accepting it. My heart tenses with pride. Good. Good. Those poor people need and deserveeverythingthis military can give them.

“And you’ll bring them here?”

I gasp as soon as the words leave my mouth, smacking my hand over my lips, suddenlysoangry at myself for slipping. I look immediately at Cole, who gives me a punishing little glare – both of us aware that I broke one of the cardinal rules.

I shake my head at Cole in apology, but he just turns back to the screen at the sound of his father’s voice.

“Yes,” Ethan says, nodding seriously to all of us. “We’ll expect to send a great number of refugees as well as Children of Solace members – combative and not – toward you. General Amir, if we can get you some expected numbers, can you start to think of ways to sort this out? I’m aware that you have one medical tent right now and it…might not be best practice to mix populations, though we’ll want everyone who needs aid seen.”

“Right,” my dad murmurs, nodding quickly to the King before starting to take some notes. “Yes, get me some numbers. I’ll see what I can do.”

I exhale slowly, glancing at Cole, who focuses on the screen, his face quite grave.

And as much as it surprises me toeverbe in line emotionally with Cole Kincaid, I find that my expression falls along the same lines. Because it seems like things are…about to get quite serious here, aren’t they? Even more serious than they’ve already been.

After the meeting wraps up, Cole and I make our way to the breakfast tent, both of us quietly turning over our thoughts as we go. My eyebrows lift as we step inside because it’s quite empty. Apparently, our dawn meeting happened even before breakfast was laid out.

I frown up at Cole as we step over to the food line together. “How did you get coffee if the breakfast tent wasn’t even open yet?” I glance down at my empty mug for emphasis.

He shrugs, picking up a tray. “The cooks like me.”

I raise an eyebrow at him, placing my mug on a tray and picking it up, following him to the hot food bar. “Are the cookswomen?”

He just glances at me, a sly little smile on his lips. I roll my eyes and snatch up a plate of waffles, covering them with syrup before moving to the coffee station and filling my mug. We move to the table next, and I curse as I look back, realizing that I forgot cutlery –