Page 5 of Four Ruined Realms (The Broken Blades #2)

Euyn

City of Quu, Khitan

I pace by the window, my spine rigid, my pivots as sharp as when I served in the king’s guard. Where could Mikail be? Why leave without saying a word? Tension crackles through the suite as we silently wait out another bell.

We are staying in a traveler’s inn that’s on par with the one in Fallow—meaning it’s a hair above a donkey stable. I am here under the name Donal again because of Mikail’s terrible sense of humor. And now he is missing. I had the feeling we were being followed earlier, but he, of course, dismissed it.

“He didn’t say nothing about leaving?” Royo asks, leaning by the fire.

I shake my head, and his eyebrows slash down.

I eye the door and consider arming the traps again, but I don’t need them as much with Royo here. He has remained loyal to me. Regardless of what Bay Chin said, I don’t think he killed his girlfriend, or if he did, I’m sure he had his reasons. Either way, I trust him the most.

Naerium paces by the window, nervously doubling back and shaking out her hands. She’s my niece…of sorts. There’s not much resemblance between her and Joon, which explains how I missed the connection. They’re both built on the slight side, but she’s lanky and must take after her mother. But with how she murders, lies, and betrays…Aeri is Baejkin to the core.

Sora is also in the room, waiting by the table. She refuses to look at me, and I suppose I can forgive her for that now that she knows about Chul.

In truth, I hadn’t meant to keep the secret from her, but we had a mission, and that had to come first. As she taps her fingers and her hand trembles from poison aftereffects, I consider saying that her father never stopped looking for her, that Seok forged his signature and forced the illegitimate sale.

Sora must feel me staring at her, because she meets my gaze. I open my mouth, but her eyes harden with hatred. I swallow my words. It’s too raw a subject to bring it up now.

I will tell her later.

Turning, I move the drape to peek out the window again. Where is he? There are few situations Mikail can’t fight his way out of, so I doubt he’s in trouble, but his disappearance is unsettling and begs a million questions. We just arrived at port late this morning. What could be so urgent that he had to sneak out before midday? Why did he leave the rest of us in this horse stall?

And why did he try to destroy the crown?

I wish I had answers, but I never receive them when it comes to Mikail. I’d resolved not to speak to him until he told me the truth about why he sliced the decoy crown in half and why he looked so pale when Joon mentioned he’d take good care of Ailor. I know it was a threat against someone he loves, but who even is Ailor? I waited for seven days for Mikail to come to me, but all I wound up with was a week of silence and sea sickness.

Perhaps waiting was foolish. We’ve known each other for so long that apologies and explanations are pointless—or at least that is what I tell myself. Plus, we have a new mission.

Sora wants to tell Quilimar about Joon’s plan in hopes of waging a war against Yusan, but if we bring my brother the ring, he will reinstate me as crown prince and Aeri as princess. He will raise Mikail to be the Count of Tamneki—an elevation second only to being king consort. It is worth considering. Joon has his flaws, but he keeps his promises. And if we give him the ring, I won’t have to risk being exposed as a fraud, turned to ash by the Immortal Crown because I’m not Baejkin. It’s the best outcome for everyone, whether they realize it or not.

But for now, I need to pretend to go along with Sora’s plan. Our goals align, as both stealing the relic and starting a war require face time with my sister.

I would speak to Mikail about all of this, but that would require his presence.

I stew in my lonely thoughts until there’s a knock at my door. Two knocks—Mikail. I hate how joy bursts in my chest at the thought of him. My standards should be higher, but that’s never been the case with the royal spymaster.

“It’s him,” I say.

Even though I’m certain it’s Mikail, Royo still brandishes a blade at his side as he answers the door. He doesn’t trust Mikail, and maybe he’s right to be leery.

I’m wondering if even I can fully trust him when Mikail waltzes in with that easy confidence and swagger. I fall for that face every time I see it. But then I notice that his clothes are absolutely soaked in blood.

Gods on High. What happened now?