Page 81

“You secretly like me, Red, admit it.”

Piper scowled at him then turned to Valeen. “I’m sorry it was inappropriate of me to laugh. You two are just a funny pair. Very… unexpected.”

“I know my particular brand of transparency is hard to swallow sometimes but on a serious note, remember, Prince Ronan is a dragon, not an elf. They’re unpredictable and territorial and once they find their heart’s mate, it’s for life. If that’s you, Fennan better be careful.” Hel blew out smoke. “And another thing. The gods and their spies will be watching and may try to stop this alliance.” He turned to Valeen. “Speaking of gods, did you talk to Katana about who showed up last night?”

“She was asleep by the time I got to her room after we searched the castle to make sure he was gone, and still asleep this morning before we came out here.”

“Who showed up?” Piper asked.

“Her former husband,” Valeen answered.

“Oh.” Piper blinked in surprise. “Thane said he could be a problem.”

“I need to go find her and let her know.”

“Yes, you do. I saw her at breakfast with Thane when I passed by a few minutes ago,” Hel said. “Meanwhile, I need to pay our friend in the basement a visit.”

Standing outside the dining room,Valeen peeked through the crack in the door. Inside waited Thane, Katana, Fennan, and Leif. They all laughed, likely about something inappropriate Fenn or Leif had said. Katana seemed to be adapting quite well to this place, and she was happy to see it.

Her stomach growled smelling the breakfast on the table, rich pastries, eggs, and potatoes. On her way out this morning, she only grabbed a roll that Tifapine had left behind.

The doors lightly creaked as she pushed through. Everyone turned to her, Katana with a bright smile, Leif’s goofy grin, and Fennan stared at her apathetic. No doubt in his mind she’d betrayed Thane. He was his best friend after all, and she didn’t expect him to understand.

Thane gave her a quick smile. “Come eat with us.”

“Valeen,” Katana said excitedly. “I am so glad you are here this morning.”

She made her way over to the table and took the seat next to Katana. “How is everyone?”

“We’re making preparations and need to go to the wall again,” Fennan answered. “Are you busy or could you join us?”

“I can’t today. I need to make headway on building my magical barrier around the city.”

“I think I have an idea,” said Katana. “We may not be able to use Soulender but what about Zythara? It is your sword, made specifically for you and has magical properties and it will not break like your crown.”

“It might work. Except I need to use it to fight, and the item will need to be anchored.”

“You have Soulender,” Thane said, lifting his chin. “You don’t need Zythara.”

Katana added, “Anchored how?”

“Embedded in the ground. Probably within solid rock.”

She didn’t want to give up Zythara. That blade had been with her most of her life as the goddess of night. She’d missed it. And Soulender was used sparingly, only when needed. It didn’t feel like her sword either. It couldn’t beownedby anyone.

But if that was the answer to this dilemma, she would sacrifice Zythara for the time being. “I suppose I will give it a try. Katana, there is something I wanted to talk to you about.” Leif and Fennan immediately started to get up from the table. “Something that could affect us all so stay.”

Everyone shifted nervously, changing the mood. Leif picked up his fork and shoveled potatoes into his mouth.

“Last night Atlanta came to my room. He said he followed what he thought was you, Katana, but found me first. I believe he knows you’re alive and it won’t be the last time we see him. He also made it clear he is not on our side.”

Katana was frozen in place staring, not at her but passed her, with what she could only describe as terror. “Katana, are you alright?” she asked. Her sister never explicitly said why she did not want to see Atlanta again, but why was she afraid of him? Had she always feared him and Valeen never noticed before?

A fire lit in her chest; Atlanta must have done something to her. Her mind flipped through the possibilities, and each made her skin burn hotter. He’d always been a jerk, self-righteous andselfish, but she’d never suspected he was hurting her sister. That prick was going to get more than an earful the next time she saw him. “All of you need to be prepared for Atlanta to show up when you go north,” Valeen said. “And after last night, I would expect hostility. He’s an entitled asshole and I don’t think he’ll take ‘no’ for an answer.”

Thane nodded. “We are prepared. She and I have discussed this already.”

Her brows rose in surprise. “You have?” She leaned forward, resting her forearms against the table.