Page 56 of Three Scorched Kingdoms

His expression hardens, and I can see the argument in his eyes already.

But then, an idea takes root in my mind, one that’s been nagging at me since we first talked about the orcs and Constantine.

“Before you do, I’ve been thinking,” I begin cautiously, “about another way I can help.”

His brow furrows again, but there’s curiosity there too. “What do you mean?”

I take a deep breath, knowing this is a gamble. But if it works, it could be the answer to all of this. “I think I need to go back. To the library.”

The change in him is immediate. Aries stiffens, his eyes narrowing as he shakes his head, but I press on before he can shut me down completely.

“Just hear me out,” I say quickly. “Constantine is too confident, Aries. He’s got something up his sleeve, and I think it’s another way into this world. Another book, another portal—something. If I can get back into the library and find it, I can take it from him. Cut off his access to Astronia, and then we’ll be safe. The orcs will still be a problem, but at least we won’t have to worry about him sneaking in and out whenever he wants.”

“No.” His voice is sharp, final. He pulls back slightly, putting space between us, and the coldness of it makes my chest tighten. “It’s too dangerous, Paige. I won’t let you risk it.”

“Think about it,” I argue, my frustration rising. “If Constantine has another way in, it doesn’t matter how well we fight the orcs—he’ll find a way to undermine us, to make everything we do meaningless. We have to stop him at the source.”

“No,” he repeats, more forcefully this time. “You don’t understand. Going back to the library means walking straight into his trap. He’s probably waiting for you, hoping you’ll do exactly this. And if he catches you?—”

“He won’t catch me,” I insist, my voice rising. “I know that place better than anyone. I can get in and out before he even knows I’m there. Aries, this is our best shot.”

He stares at me, his expression hardening into something that feels like stone. “I said no, Paige. I won’t lose you to him, especially for something so reckless.”

“You think I’m just going to waltz in there without a plan? I’m trying to save us, Aries. Saveyou.”

“You’re not saving anyone if you get yourself killed,” he snaps back. “Or worse, captured. I can’t—” He stops himself, taking a breath as if he’s trying to rein in his emotions. “I can’t let you do this, Paige. It’s not just your life on the line. It’s mine too. The kingdom’s. If you’re gone, if Constantine gets his hands on you, we’re finished.”

The air between us feels heavy, charged with everything we’re not saying. I take a step back, my chest tightening with the realization that this is a wall I’m not going to break through. Not now, at least.

“So that’s it?” I say, my voice quieter now, but no less tense. “You’re just going to shut me down? Not even consider it?”

He looks at me, and for a moment, I see the struggle in his eyes, the conflict between what he wants and what he thinks is right. But then he shakes his head, and his exhaustion deepens to something that goes beyond lack of sleep.

“I’m not trying to control you, Paige. And this isn’t…I don’t get to decide anything for you. Your choices are your own. I’m saying no because I want to do this together like we promised—but not because of that promise. Because we’re better that way. As a team. And the fact is I can’t get behind a mission like that right now. Not before the battle with the horde.”

By the time he’s done talking, I can see the fear and worry right there at the surface, and my frustration lessens just a little bit. I know how he feels. The idea of losing him is just… exactly why I want to do this.

“All right,” I say, the word clipped.

Waiting might be the more cautious choice, but it doesn’t ease the urgency and drive inside me todosomething. I turn away from him, my heart pounding in my chest, and start toward the door.

“Paige, wait—” he begins, but I don’t stop. I can’t. Not when everything inside me feels like it’s unraveling.

“It’s fine,” I say over my shoulder, my voice tight. He starts to respond, but I cut him off. “We have a battle to prepare for. Let’s focus on that.”

And then I’m out the door, a knot of frustration and fear tightening in my chest. I know he’s trying to protect me, but all I can feel right now is the sting of inaction.

As I make my way down the corridor, I can’t help but wonder if facing the horde will be enough or if Constantine has something much more terrible waiting for us on that battlefield than an army of orcs with guns.

What should be halfa day’s ride to Misthaven is a two-day march. Considering all the men and supplies in our convoy, Aries says we’re making good time, but I can’t help the impatience at our slow pace. Anything could happen in two days. The orcs could speed up. Fix their carts. Beat us there and destroy the place before the evacuations are complete. But there’s nothing we can do to go any faster.

So we march.

Aries is distant.

Even at night, when we spread our bedrolls out under the stars, he and Leo wait until the camp is settled before leaving for a recon flight with a couple of raven shifters. Even though I know it’s for good reason, his absence stings.

We’ve barely spoken since we left the castle. He’s angry at me, I can tell. Maybe even scared. I don’t blame him; there’s so much at stake for us. But I’m not going to apologize when there’s so much riding on this.

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