“The castle isn’t a priority,” Jovita said. “We still have the south, so—”
Cas slammed his hand against the table, making her jump. “It’s a priority because I say it is. Argue with me again and I’ll reconsider those treason charges.” He stood. “That goes for all of you.” He turned and walked out of the room, Galo and Mateo following him.
Cas looked over his shoulder at Galo as soon as they were out of the room. “Find all the guards who are loyal to me. Quickly. I’m going to need their protection.”
TWENTY-FOUR
EM PULLED THE door to Cas’s house closed behind her. It was no longer Cas’s house, but she would probably always refer to it that way.
“It’s clean,” Em said. “They didn’t leave anything behind.” Mariana and Ivanna waited in the dirt at the bottom of the steps.
Mariana’s eyes brightened. “Can I take it, then?”
“Sure.”
Mariana scurried past Em, throwing open the door and bounding inside.
“Does she really need a whole house to herself?” Ivanna asked, with a hint of amusement.
“Might as well take advantage now. We’ll probably be back in tents and the miner cabins again soon.” She tried not to sigh as she said the words. As much as she hated to admit it, she didn’t want to go back to Ruina. It didn’t feel like home anymore.
She turned back to the center of town, Ivanna falling into step beside her. Ruined mingled outside the shops. This town was the nicest accommodations most of them had seen in more than a year, but Sacred Rock didn’t feel like home either. It felt like wherever Em took the Ruined, she just put them in more danger.
“A few of the Ruined council met last night,” Ivanna said quietly.
“That doesn’t sound good. Who is ‘a few’?”
“Me and Davi and Mariana.”
Em stopped, turning to face Ivanna. “And?”
“We’re concerned about Olivia. I heard the Vallos army attacked us because she provoked them.”
Em didn’t respond. Her silence was probably confirmation enough.
“It hasn’t escaped our attention that you’re the only one making smart decisions,” Ivanna said.
Em looked at her in surprise. After Cas’s visit, she hadn’t thought the words smart decisions would be associated with her for quite a while.
“I won’t lie to you, I didn’t want you to be queen. I voted against you when Damian took over. I thought Olivia was taking pity on you when she announced the diarchy.”
“Don’t sugarcoat it,” Em said dryly.
“I’m saying I was wrong. And I want you to know that you can count on our support. Even if it means going against Olivia. Or removing her from the throne.”
Em shifted uncomfortably. She knew what it was like to be removed from the throne. She didn’t want to do that to her sister.
“I don’t think that’s going to be necessary. She’s still upset about being captured. She just needs some time to adjust.”
Ivanna seemed skeptical. “I hope so.”
“You said you met with Davi and Mariana. What about Jacobo?” she asked, even though she already suspected the answer. She’d seen him following Olivia around, jumping at every order.
“I wouldn’t count on his support. And I don’t know about Aren, either.”
“Aren’s always on my side.”
Ivanna didn’t appear convinced, but Em was certain about Aren. He was always on her side.
“We also spoke about August,” Ivanna said. “Has Aren mentioned it to you yet?”
“No. What about him?”
“I’ll admit that I was excited about a marriage alliance with Olso at first, but me and the rest of the council are reconsidering.”
Hope surged up her spine. “Why is that?”
“Olso owes us after abandoning us back when Lera declared war on the Ruined. I don’t think a marriage should be required to secure their assistance.”
“I’m not sure they’ll see it that way.”
Ivanna shrugged. “Then it’s not a long-term alliance. They’ll leave after Jovita is dead. But I don’t want you to feel like you have to marry him just to make us happy. You’ve done enough for us.”
A lump rose in Em’s throat, and she blinked quickly before tears could form. “You don’t think it’s important to have Olso’s support long-term?”
“I don’t think we can count on anything long-term at this point. I’m sorry to be blunt, Emelina, but there is a possibility that August will have you killed after you have a few children.”
The same thought had occurred to her. She would spend their entire marriage looking over her shoulder, sleeping with a dagger within reach.
“I’ll think about it,” Em said, the relief coming through in her voice.
Ivanna reached out to squeeze her arm. “Remember that you can come to me if you need anything. Even if it’s just to talk things out.”
“Thank you,” Em said. Ivanna smiled and walked away.
Em continued slowly down the dirt path. She’d never gotten the impression the council was on Olivia’s side, but she certainly never thought most of them would be firmly on hers.
She spotted Aren near the warrior camp, sitting in front of a large bucket with Iria. They were washing clothes.
Aren caught her watching, said something to Iria, and jogged over to Em. “I’m glad I caught you,” he said. “I wanted to ask you about something.”
“What’s that?”
“Do you think I could volunteer to go north with the warriors?”
“What?”
“Have you already assigned Ruined to go?”
“Uh, no,” she said. Aren was going to voluntarily spend time with warriors for a week or two?
“Then send me. Pick two weaker Ruined to go with me. I can protect the warriors.”
“Why?”
He didn’t meet her eyes. “I want to get away for a while.”
“Get away from what?” She followed his gaze when he didn’t reply. He was watching Olivia, sitting on the porch of their house.
“You know she’s planning to marry me?” he asked quietly.
“I heard. How do you feel about that?”
His face was more openly haunted than she’d ever seen. He looked almost close to tears. “I can’t, Em. I can’t. I know I was always meant for one of you, and it’s a smart political choice, but …” He shook his head. “Please, Em. Please don’t make me.”
“What? Aren, I would never make you do anything.” She reached out and gently squeezed his arm. “Did you think you didn’t have a choice?”
“I think Olivia assumed …” His voice trailed off. “And I know some of the Ruined assume it’s my responsibility to lead since I’m so powerful.”
“I promise it’s your choice. If anyone tries to pressure you, send them my way.”
He laughed and let out a shaky breath. “Thanks.”
“And I think you’re wrong about the Ruined wanting you to marry her. I just had a conversation with Ivanna. She’s not that supportive of me marrying August. I don’t think she’s ready to push anyone into a marriage.”
“Really? I talked to her about that a while back and she thought it was a good idea.”
“She’s changed her mind.”