Page 126 of The Threadbare Queen

Except . . . She forced herself to look up at Luc. “Don’t let Deni and Taira say anything about how I got here.” She thought of General Ru, of everything she would have done to keep Ava’ disappearance quiet, and knew they had to protect the lie.

“Deni.” Luc’s voice rose above the exclamations of shock and surprise coming from the Rising Wave unit.

“Commander.” Deni stepped close, and Ava turned to him.

If he was surprised to see the tears on her cheeks, he didn’t show it.

“We need a story to explain my presence,” she told him softly.

“I have one. Raun-Tu and I worked it out together before I left, in case you were seen after we found you. You were needed up on the border to negotiate a deal with the Jatan. And here you are.” He studied her face, and then gave a nod when she inclined her head in agreement.

“And here I am.” She knew it would take a bit of work to be believable, but it was good enough.

Deni walked off, calling out a teasing insult to one of the Cervantes soldiers, and again, Ava and Luc were alone.

“What is the truth?” Luc studied her, and she could see he was trying not to let his true emotions show.

“I was taken from Fernwell by people working for Grimwalt’s Speaker.” She said nothing more, but his nostrils flared.

“Did Deni and Taira rescue you?”

She shook her head. “I rescued myself, but I knew General Ru would have sent someone to find me, and so I looked for them in Illoa. We heard there that you were meeting with the Jatan on the border here, and we rode through the night to get here.”

“Ava.” He seemed unable to say anything more, but there was death in his eyes. Cold, black death.

“You will have to wait in line,” she told him, lifting a hand to cup the back of his neck. “Harm was done to me, and I do not intend to forget.”

She slid her thumb under his collar, found her visilli flower embroidery and pressed it into his nape. “How do you feel?”

“Better.” He glanced over at the Jatan councillors, who were now lying on comfortable pallets, watched over by healers. “I was the least affected, and I know your magic is the reason.” He stepped back, hands still on her, as if he were afraid to let her go. “We cannot let this stand, Ava. Grimwalt has all but declared war on us by kidnapping you.”

She inclined her head. “Except, I don’t think many in Grimwalt know. This was a private mission by the Speaker. He wants to use me to keep control of the Grimwalt court. If we confront them, I think we’ll find that most of the court’s representatives will be horrified.”

His mouth formed a stubborn line. “I’d rather not be at war with Grimwalt, especially as our relationship with Jatan is precarious, but the Speaker cannot be allowed to walk away from this. If I have to go into Grimwalt and kill him myself, he will not escape justice.”

“Agreed. This has to end.” And she would like to do that ending herself. Especially as Velda and Tomas might be in danger because of the Speaker, as well. She needed to make sure her friends were safe.

She caught sight of Kikir, who had just finished speaking to Revek and Rafe, and she waved to him.

“Having the Skäddar come to support you as allies really took the Jatan’s legs out from under them,” she said to Luc. “That was a masterstroke.”

Luc gave a low chuckle at that, but before she could ask him what was so funny, Kikir strode over, enveloping her in a hug.

“You are safe,” he said it so fervently, she wondered if he knew something about her abduction. He stepped back, eyes narrowing. “Although you are not well, Avasu. What has happened?”

“It’s a long story, but all is well now.”

“Good.” He turned to Luc and seemed about to ask something, when one of his fellow warriors called to him, and he reluctantly strode off.

Luc put a hand in his pocket and brought something out.

“Do you recognize this?”

She stared at it in amazement. “Where did you get it?”

“Kikir found it floating through his camp just before he and his Skäddar friends were set to return home. It compelled him back into Kassia, all the way here.”

Ava lifted her eyes to his, shocked and speechless.

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