“That’s awful,” Ora said.
“You have no idea,” Hector replied, leaning his head back and staring up at the canvas ceiling.
“So you’re going to challenge Sawyn for your family’s throne?” Navin asked.
“First, we need to rescue my sister’s mate, Maez. We need to find a way of getting Briar out of Damrienn, too. Every day we leave her there is a threat.” I squeezed Grae’s hand. “She’s King Nero’s last bargaining chip, and I know he will use it however he can.”
Ora fiddled with their golden rings. “So, what’s our plan?”
“We will leave you at the first town in Olmdere,” I said. “I don’t want to drag you into this anymore than I already have.”
“You didn’t hear me correctly. What is our plan. Does it look like we’re being dragged?” Ora huffed. “We want to help you.”
“Sawyn destroyed my family.” We all turned to Navin’s rasping voice. His right eye had swollen shut, purpling all the way up to his temple. His ear was so swollen with fluid it had completely lost its shape and I wondered if he could hear out of it. “I want to help.”
“I’m sorry for what happened to your homeland.” I swallowed, looking into his one open bronze eye. “I don’t know that my parents treated your family any better . . . and I’m sorry.”
“I don’t quite remember myself, but that’s irrelevant. What matters is what you plan to do going forward.” Navin pursed his swollen lips. “Olmdere needs a ruler to lead us out of this darkness. I’d rather it be you than her. And if I can help, I will.”
My gut clenched. It wasn’t exactly a roaring endorsement, but it was more than I’d expect.
“I can see the guilt of your ancestor’s actions running through you,” Navin said. “If you dedicate your reign to righting their wrongs, then the people will follow you, too.”
Sadie leaned her head into his shoulder.
“I think I will need some human advisers to keep me in line, should you like the position?”
Sadie’s eyes widened at me as Navin kissed the top of her head, a rare smile appearing on her face.
“I’ll think about it,” he said.
“Hear, hear,” Ora said, raising their mug and pausing. “We’re going to need some stronger drinks.”
We all chuckled. I glanced around the muddied and bruised group. We’d narrowly escaped the jaws of death and even more battles lay ahead.
“Good. I doubt I’ll sleep tonight,” I said. “Tomorrow we’ll be in Olmdere.”
“What are we going to do about that?” Hector tapped his finger on the wanted poster sitting in the center of the table. “These were all over town. I’d imagine the Rooks at the border will have them, too.”
“You could hide in the wagon,” Ora offered.
“And if they search it and find me, you’ll all be imprisoned.” Grae shook his head. “I can’t risk that. I’ll pass through on foot.”
“There is no passing through on foot,” Navin warned. “The Sevelde forest is filled with Rooks and booby traps. And being caught is a fate worse than death. The only way in or out is under.”
My mouth dropped open. “Through the mines?”
“But that is not without its risks, either.” Navin’s eyes grew haunted. “Though maybe for Wolves it won’t be as treacherous.”
“So we’ll split up and meet you on the other side,” I said, cutting Grae off with a look. “I swear to the Gods if you suggest I stay behind, I’ll throttle you.”
Grae’s lips twisted. “I wouldn’t dare.”
“We’ll come, too,” Sadie rasped, leaning forward.
She was met with a chorus of nos.
“You look one bad sleep away from death,” Navin insisted, pulling her in closer. “There’s not a whisper of you two deserting, nor Calla for that matter. Only Grae.”
“Why?”
“Maybe they want us to flip?” Hector picked at his dirt-stained fingers. “Maybe they’re hoping we’ll turn him in?”
“Well then, he’s an idiot,” Sadie growled. She looked at me. “Will you be okay?”
“We’ll be fine,” I assured her. “We’ll meet you in the capital. It’ll be easier for us to travel on four paws anyway.”
“Okay,” she said tentatively.
“You two should shift once you pass through the border,” Grae said. “We’ll need all the strength we can get when we reach Olmdere.”