Page 74 of Four Ruined Realms (The Broken Blades #2)

Sora

City of Quu, Khitan

In a curious turn of events, we are riding on white horses, marching with the army of Khitan to the harbor. It feels as inevitable as it is confusing. Mikail is up ahead, talking strategy with Quilimar and the general. I’m behind them, riding with Aeri and Royo.

Our procession is slow, but Mikail said Wei will not attack before a parley—that is the term for a talk of truce between the realms. It’s a custom as old as the four original realms themselves—a last effort to prevent a costly war. Obviously, it is not the kings and queens at the parley, but their representatives.

All our weapons were returned to us by Gambria, who either was spared or ran in the aftermath of Euyn’s wager. She now marches with us on foot to the right of my horse. I have my daggers, but I wish I had more poison on me. I had to use it all in the banquet room, and I can’t say I regret it. It saved Mikail’s life.

I am not sure what the plan is now, though—how we can survive this. Honestly, I hadn’t expected to make it out of the palace. I also hadn’t expected Mikail to kick the ambassador. I’m worried that he is not in his right mind, but I suppose none of us are. We are all warped by rage, by revenge, by the past. But for two of us, there are also thoughts of the future.

I stare at Aeri and Royo on their horses. I don’t understand why Aeri’s eyes turned golden. It feels like I must be missing something, because Euyn’s eyes didn’t change even after he wielded the ring. But there are many mysteries. One of which is how Mikail can put aside Euyn’s murder and strategize with the woman responsible. I wouldn’t be able to do the same if Seok were here.

But he is gone.

Mikail told me that the southern count ran back to Yusan right after I told him Tiyung was in Idle Prison. I can only hope he freed his son and then was imprisoned himself, but I doubt it. These men never pay.

But Euyn did. Maybe that’s what it takes—a woman willing to risk death itself to even the score. And I am that woman.

Gambria also seems like that kind of person as she walks alongside my horse. Formidable and focused. But there’s something off about her, something dishonest. I just can’t place it.

A handsome soldier with brown skin and green eyes comes up to her. He bumps his shoulder into her. Gambria looks over, annoyed, and then turns again, surprise written on her face.

“What are you doing here?” she whispers sharply.

I remain facing forward, like I am not paying attention, but they are on my hearing side. I was right—she’s hiding something. I’m not sure what the secret is, but I felt nearly the same about Aeri. Which means I have to figure it out.

Gods, let’s hope Gambria isn’t also King Joon’s long-lost daughter.

“Why so surprised, cousin?” he murmurs. “You thought I didn’t hear the invasion bells, or the war drums, or the rumors?”

“Go before he sees you,” she insists.

The man nods and then disappears. I want to look back to see who that was, but I can’t reveal I was listening. The only “he” Gambria could mean, though, is Mikail. She is keeping something from him.

An icy feeling spreads across my chest, and I grip the reins.

Kingdom of Hells, what else is there?