Page 57 of Three Scorched Kingdoms

Eventually, I drift off alone beneath our blankets.

During the night, I stir when Aries returns and lies down beside me, but in the morning when I wake again, he’s already gone. While Aries and Leo lead the march, I fall back and walk with Blossom and Mag instead.

“Hey,” Blossom calls.

“Hey,” I return, unable to stifle the sigh that follows.

They share a look, and Mag says something about checking in with Aries. Then he’s gone, jogging toward the front with the princes and leaving us alone.

“Subtle,” I say.

Blossom smirks. “Mag has never been accused of that in his life.”

“Fair point,” I say.

We walk in silence before Blossom speaks up. “So, do you want to talk about it?”

“Talk about what?”

She rolls her eyes. “Did you really come back here to hide from your man and pretend nothing is wrong?”

“I’m not hiding,” I protest. But at her withering look, I groan. “Fine. I’m taking some space. Not hiding.”

She shakes her head. “You know he’s just stressed, right?”

I bite back the retort that bubbles up. Mostly because the soldiers marching around us are ignoring us pointedly—which means they’re all listening in to this entire exchange.

My pace slows, and I steer Blossom out of line where we veer farther off from the rest of the men.

“I want to try to make a portal,” I say quietly when we’re out of earshot.

“A portal to where?” Blossom asks.

“The library.”

She stops walking and pulls me around to face her. “Now?”

“Chill,” I say, tugging on her until we’re both marching forward again.

“Why in the hell would you want to do that—especially right now?” she hisses.

“Because Constantine is feeding off this world, which means he already has another way in. Even if we stop the orcs, Astronia is dying.”

“How exactly do you plan to fight himandthe orcs?”

“I don’t want to fight him,” I say. “He won’t even know I’m there. I just need to sneak in long enough to find the source of his portal to this world and steal it.”

“Paige, that place is crawling with creatures, remember? There is no sneaking in.”

I huff. “Whose side are you on?”

“The side of you not getting killed.”

“Says the girl currently marching with me into an orc battle.”

“Look, I want to save the library just as much as you do. Hell, I get what’s at stake if we don’t. But we need to be smart. Constantine had years to plan his takeover. We’ve had days. Aries just wants you both to make it through this to the other side. I can’t blame him for being cautious. I would say the same thing if it were Mag.”

Her gaze travels the length of the line of men to where Mag walks along beside Aries and Leo. I don’t miss the way her expression softens at the sight of him. Mostly because Blossom never used to soften for anyone.

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