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“It’s not suicidal,” I interrupt. “You’re going to make sure we win!”

“I never said we’d win. I said I would do my best. Even the likes of me cannot make soldiers out of untrained men. I’d wagerover half of these men were given positions in the city because they looked impressive holding a sword, not because they have any real skill with it. Besides, our preparations would go a lot faster if you two were helping.”

“We are making sure you don’t do anything stupid,” I say. “And nothing you say will entice me to leave your side.”

“How’s your sister doing?” Kymora asks.

My eyes narrow in on the warlord.She thinks she’s dead, I remind myself. She’s trying to goad me into running away in a huff or charging at her so she can take my weapons from me. She has no idea Temra is alive and well. How could she? Those wounds were fatal. But now she knows there’s a magical healer. Perhaps she put two and two together…

I ignore her. As much as one can when still having to keep my eyes glued to her.

After a time, Skiro returns, Tazar and Petrik right beside him. The guard puts himself between Kymora and the prince. “It’s all set into motion,” Skiro says to Kellyn and me. “Nothing more to do except wait.”

Petrik looks over his mother slowly, and I can’t imagine what he must be feeling. What would I do if my mother were a traitor and tried to kill someone I loved? Had ordered her men to kill me?

“Petrik,” Kymora says with a solemn nod, as though he were a new acquaintance.

“Kymora,” he says.

And the fierce, fearless warlord flinches. It is the most subtle movement. I would have missed it entirely if I hadn’t been watching her like a hawk.

This is the first time I’ve heard him address her by her name instead ofMother. As though he’s officially cut himself off from her, and she knows it now, too.

The warlord turns away, and her mask of indifference is in place once more.

There are so many people piled into the courtyard, but we watch as guards encourage them to step into the palace in small groups, ushering people through the doorway.

I’d imagine some would resist. Hesitant to step through anything magical, when they don’t know it’s safe firsthand. Hopefully, Temra and Serutha will be able to convince everyone.

Whether there are difficulties or not, it will take quite some time for people to step through single file with all their possessions.

And the army will be here before then.

When Ravis’s forces are within throwing distance, only half of the city folk have made it through the portal.

The enemy’s numbers seem larger, what with all the heavy weapons and armor they tote around. They all wear the sigil of Ravis, a lion in mid-pounce. They carry spears in their hands and swords at their waists. A weapon to throw. A weapon for close combat. I wonder if the soldiers are strong enough to throw a spear over the wall.

Maybe.

Horses pull covered wagons. Only a handful of men ride their own steeds; the majority are on foot.

It is one thing to know an army is approaching. It’s something else entirely to see it for myself.

“Steady,” Kellyn says.

I realize a moment later he’s talking to me.

“I’m fine.”

“We should get you off the wall, sire,” Tazar says to the prince.

“I will not hide. I will help where I can. My sword.”

Tazar hesitates, before handing over the weapon sheathed at his side, a broadsword. The handle looks worn, but when the prince unsheathes it, I see the sword itself is sharp.

“Give the prince a shield, too,” Kymora says. “He’ll need one.”

Kymora has had the men line the wall with arm-held shields. Tazar hands one to the prince. Saydan stays right at Kymora’s back, his own weapons at the ready. I still don’t like that she’s freed with only a single chain binding her hands together. It’s not enough.