Page 57 of The Blood Traitor

The queasy feeling returned to Kiva’s stomach.

“I don’t like this,” Ashlyn said, her lips pursed. “By going after the rings, we could be playing right into Navok’s hands.”

“We most likely will be,” Jaren said, looking equally unhappy. “But would you be content doing nothing while he’s actively searching for them? Wouldn’t it be better to have them secure in our possession? If he tries to steal them from us, we’ll be ready. We’ll beexpectingit. And like Kiva said, we can use them to create our own elemental army to combat his. That alone is reason enough to risk it.”

That seemed to sway Ashlyn, but Jaren wasn’t finished.

“I’m the last person to want to leave Evalon right now,” he said in a low, pained voice. “Knowing that Zuleeka and Mirryn are on the throne, that Mother and Ori are their captives...” His throat bobbed. “I hate it, more than you can imagine. But I also recognize the danger Navok poses. We need to prioritize our enemies. Once we get the rings, we can deal with him, and then we can give our undivided attention to removing Zuleeka and Mirryn from power.”

Ashlyn held his impassioned eyes, before finally nodding. “Let’s do it,” she said. “I’ll send word to the other outposts and have some of our soldiers make for Vallenia while we’re away, just in case any of Navok’s anomalies manage to slip through the border unnoticed. Eidran, can you see to that?”

Kiva jolted, having again forgotten that the stealthy man had been in the room the whole time.

“I think I’ll be more useful accompanying you,” he countered in a soothing rumble. “We still have questions about the anomalies. Galdric said he knows of magical communities in three of the kingdoms you’re traveling to — while you’re collecting the rings, I can seek them out and try to uncover some answers.”

“Smart,” Jaren said quietly.

“Good point,” Ashlyn agreed, before rising to her feet. “Windfunneling or not, we don’t have any time to waste. Take the rest of the day to prepare, and then first thing tomorrow, we’ll set out.”

“We, who?” Cresta asked, cocking an eyebrow. “I’m a free woman now. I have things to do, places to see, people to —”

“You’re coming with us,” Ashlyn said. Her eyes speared toward Torell. “You too. Neither of you are going anywhere until all this is over and I can figure out what to do with you.”

“I wouldn’t leave Kiva anyway,” Tor said.

“I would,” Cresta grumbled, but Kiva could see the lie written onher face. Despite herself, Cresta was intrigued, maybe even excited to be included in their plans.

The group dispersed shortly after that, with Ashlyn heading off to send word to her military leaders, but only after ordering Tor, Cresta, and Galdric to help Eidran gather supplies for their journey — not so subtly indicating that she wanted them to remain under the guard’s watchful eyes.

Once they were gone, Jaren departed as well, leaving Kiva alone with Caldon. She stared longingly at his retreating back as he exited the command center, disappointed that he hadn’t thawed toward her even after learning that the Hand could return his magic. Nevertheless, the concern she’d seen from him earlier that morning remained with her, continuing to give her hope.

Everything will be all right, Kiva told herself as she agreed to help Caldon pack and followed him out into the summer sunshine.We’ll find the rings, Jaren will get his magic back, we’ll stop Navok, and then Zuleeka and I will —

Kiva’s thoughts came to a screeching halt when she caught sight of Tipp standing just outside the command center doorway, talking with Jaren. Their heads were bent together, Tipp was wearing a gap-toothed smile, and Jaren was grinning back at him, his expression lighter than anything she’d seen since they’d been reunited, causing her heart to skip a beat. Jaren used to grin at her like that all the time, but now...

Gods, she missed him.

But she focused on Tipp, who had just noticed her, the smile falling from his face.

“Maybe you shouldn’t —” Caldon murmured under his breath, but Kiva moved forward before he could finish.

She barely made it two steps before Tipp spun on his heel and stalked away.

Kiva froze, wanting to call out but fearing he would ignore her.Certainhe would ignore her.

“Tipp,” she whispered, staring after him, her eyes welling.

A slight movement made her look from his shrinking figure back to Jaren, who was still standing there, watching her closely. For a second, she thought she saw a flash of pity in his blue-gold gaze, before it was gone again in an instant.

And then so was he, taking off after Tipp and not looking back.

Chapter Fourteen

That night, Kiva found herself in the infirmary again.

It was after midnight, but she couldn’t sleep — partly because she was anxious about the journey they were about to undertake, but mostly because she couldn’t stop thinking about her encounter with Tipp earlier that day. He’d avoided her completely in the hours since then, had even relocated to Jaren’s room that evening because he knew she wouldn’t venture there. He was doing everything he could to stay away from her, and while she understood, it still hurt. If only he would allow her to speak with him, toexplain...

Kiva sighed and pulled back the curtain to Naari’s bed, finding the guard looking exactly as she had the previous night.

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