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This time, Alex shook her head. “I can’t promise that.”

“I didn’t think so.” Jeera sighed. “Then just be careful, okay?”

Swallowing, Alex said, hoarsely, “You too, Jeera.”

And with that, she disconnected their call.

Tucking her Device away again, Alex glanced around and wondered how long it would take theValispathto reach Graevale, but her body turned rigid as she noticed that they were again soaring over the Silverwood, not heading towards where Aven was.

“Settle, kitten,” Niyx said when he felt her stiffen against him. “We need to go in as prepared as we can. Taking a moment now could save our lives later.”

Trusting he had valid reasons for returning to Meya, Alex soon realised that wasn’t their destination. She tensed further and opened her mouth to object, but Niyx silenced her with a grave look. He didn’t need to hear her warnings; he already knew them for himself—as he had done for millennia.

Sailing high above the city and up, up, up to Draekora, all Alex could do was reach out and grip Niyx’s hand, offering her support in the only way she could.

Over there, she silently told him, guiding him towards Roka’s tent.

Being barely dawn, it was early enough that there were no Meyarins out to witness their arrival, but still Alex ushered him quickly inside as soon as theValispathcame to a halt.

Within seconds of their entry, Soraya appeared in a flash of furious lightning surrounded by a cloud of thunderous shadows. The wolf was growling and whimpering and beyond distressed that she hadn’t been able to reach Alex atTaevarg. But there was no time to comfort her with more than a steadying hand on her head, because their arrival woke Kyia and Zain, both of whom were stretched out on makeshift beds.

Given Alex’s bloodied appearance, her unannounced visit and, more importantly, her unwelcome companion, Alex wasn’t surprised when both Meyarins took one look at her and rushed at Niyx, weapons drawn.

“Stop!” Alex cried, launching herself in front of him with her hands held out to ward them off. Soraya jumped in front of Alex with a ferocious growl, offering a second layer of protection—a much more intimidating one, given the wolf’s size.

“Step aside, and call off your beast,” Zain ordered Alex. “I don’t know what you’re doing with this filthyGarseth, but—”

“Enough, Zain,” Alex said firmly. “We don’t have time for explanations right now, so you’re just going to have to trust me when I say Niyx is innocent of everything you think he’s guilty of,includingkilling the king,” she urged. “He’s been spying on Aven for me. He’s not Claimed and he’s not aGarseth. Everything else will have to wait for later, because Meya is moving on Graevale as we speak.”

Kyia’s eyes widened, but Zain’s just narrowed further in distrust.

“Listen to me!” Alex yelled, needing to get through to him. “Everything will make sense later, but until then, youhaveto believe me.”

“What do you need, Alex?”

It was Kyia who asked the question. Kyia who was in her right mind enough to see how serious Alex was. And at her words, Zain turned incredulous eyes to her before flicking a hateful but also considering glance towards Niyx. Slowly, he lowered his sword.

Alex, processing Kyia’s question, realised she didn’t have an answer. But Niyx didn’t hesitate.

“Alex was abducted by Gaiel last night and delivered to Aven. She spent the night hanging from Moxyreel inTaevarg, bleeding from multiple stab wounds after Aven had her tortured.”

Niyx at least had the presence of mind not to mention those wounds were from his hands, since both Zain and Kyia looked ready to murder someone after his blatant overshare.

“I’ve given herlaendraand she’s healing, but she’s lost a lot of blood. Since she’s adamant about joining the fight in Graevale, if you have anyhaesondel, it might help keep her alive. She’ll also need clean clothes—Myrox-lined armour, preferably—as well as something light to eat.”

Alex spoke up to say, “I’ll be sick if I eat anything.”

Niyx’s eyes, which had been locked on Kyia and Zain the whole time he’d spoken, moved to Alex. “I’m not arguing about this with you, kitten. You need to get your strength back, as quickly as possible. That means food.”

That was all he said, and his tone didn’t allow for her to do anything but grumble, “Don’t blame me when I throw up all over you.”

Kyia and Zain watched their short interplay with incredulous expressions, before Niyx turned back to them and said, “We’ll also need weapons. Lots of them.”

Alex raised her eyebrows at that, since she had A’enara and Niyx never went anywhere without a cache of blades strapped to his person. But if he thought more arms were needed, then she wasn’t about to argue.

When Kyia and Zain remained unmoving, Niyx drawled, “We’re not in a rush or anything. Please, take all the time in the world.”

They jerked as if physically prodded and hurried into motion.