Page 108 of Shadows of Ruin

“Fifty.” Storm didn’t bother hiding his amusement.

“We arrived only an hour ago and set up camp outside Valeford,” Ian said, ignoring the others and bringing myattention back to my best friend. “We believe it’s important to keep our presence quiet.”

“Who is here?” I asked.

Ian turned in the saddle slightly, looking over his shoulder, and I followed his line of sight to Raya. But she didn’t look back.

“Kalliah, Corbin”—he paused—“and Hale are with me.”

Hale’s name came as a surprise. Ian never liked the man. “Leif?” I asked, not understanding why he didn’t mention him.

Ian sighed. “Remained behind to buy us time to flee.”

I clutched his wrist “Will he make it?”

“I don’t know, Lan.” Ian quieted. “Andras is more deranged than ever before, and the guards were about to attack Leif as we left.”

I trembled. Leif had thrown himself in front of me at the castle when Andras and I fought during the final trial. Damn him for playing the hero. My heart ached thinking of the lesser Fae who continued to prove braver than most of the Royal Guards with three times the magic in their veins.

Ian tightened his hold on the reins and breathed in deeply. I silently thanked the Fates he was free from the dungeons and with me. “What did he do to you?” I whispered.

I looked over my shoulder when I heard no response, but Ian shook his head. “Later.”

“Are any of the others hurt?” I asked.

“No.”

His answers were short. Hopefully once we arrived at the camp and we all had a chance to talk, he would open up more. I knew how the dungeons affected us before. To know he had been back in them, and alone, made me sick to my stomach.

We rode down the lush hills, and speckles of black figures appeared in the distance.

I let out a sigh, seeing one break into a run.

“Kalliah.” I grinned.

Ian urged the horse forward, galloping across the field. Moments later, he helped me down from the steed, and I collided with her too.

“Fates, Lana,” she cried, tears in her eyes.

“I'm so glad you're safe,” I whispered.

Ian’s arms wrapped around both of us, and I looked up to see Corbin and Hale approaching too.

When Kalliah let me go, I walked toward them. Hale bowed, but Corbin kneeled in front of me.

“I’m so glad you’re safe, Your Majesty,” Corbin said first.

I couldn’t help but laugh. “You know how I feel about kneeling and titles, Corbin. Plus, you’ve elevated my status a bit.”

His gaze jerked up, looking from me to Ian. I caught something passing between him before Corbin swallowed and rose.

I didn’t stop myself from giving him a hug, shaking off the uneasy weight that settled on me. “I have to tell you about the flowers in their homeland.”

He remained stiff but brought a hand to my back, patting it twice. “I look forward to it.”

“Illiana,” Hale said next, kissing my hand before pulling me into his own embrace. “It’s so good to see you safe.”

“It’s thanks to Hale we escaped,” Kalliah said as I pulled away.

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