Page 94 of Forged in Flame and Shadow

“The way they approached us was messy,” she admits. “But it doesn’t necessarily mean wecan’ttrust them either.”

I stare at her. Why is she ignoring the glaring problem?

“Well, I think we should hear them out,” Tira says. “The whole reason we came to Will was to try to find some allies, right? They could help us. They obviously have some kind of spy network, given what they know about Lady Oclanna and your parents, and about what happened in Otscold. I bet most people don’t know how badly that purge went for the Temple. The clerics wouldn’t want people thinking they’re not in total control.”

Ana nods, then turns to me, trying to read my face. “You disagree.”

“I do. And you know why.”

Tira looks between us, curious.

“These rebels might be different from the ones involved in your parents’ deaths,” she says.

“Or maybe their leader personally slit my mother’s throat himself,” I say.

She winces at my blunt wording, but reaches out, taking my hand.

“True,” she says. “And it would be hypocritical of me to pretend that doesn’t matter when Tira and I are here to avengeourparents.”

It hadn’t occurred to me, the way we’re all in the same, fucked-up boat as angry children of murdered parents. Tira obviously didn’t know either—maybe Ana thought it wasn’t her place to tellher—but I meet her eye now, and we share a moment of mutual understanding.

“So what do we do then?” Tira asks.

Ana looks at me, watching my reaction closely as she speaks.

“If any members of the Handdidhave something to do with your parents’ deaths, meeting with their leader on their territory might help us find out the truth.”

“And when we confirm it?” I ask. “If we find out whoever’s in charge of the Hand was responsible?”

“Then I will stand by your side while you do whatever you need to do,” Ana says.

I pull Ana into a deep, fervent kiss, which leaves her breathless and Tira loudly clearing her throat.

“Next time, wait until I’ve left the room, please,” she says, rolling her eyes.

As we exit the cottage to tell everyone outside about our decision, I already know I won’t waste time at the rebels’ base. The man who attacked Alastor said it would take a day for him to get better, at which point I’ll have him get the answers I need out of the Hand’s leader.

And if Alastor isn’t awake by the time we get to our destination, I’ll just have to get the truth my way.

Chapter 30

Morgana

When we first left Gullert, I was mostly hoping to avoid outright bloodshed between the fae and the rebels on our journey. Of course, I thought there might be some trouble, given the lingering hostility between them, but keeping everyone free of death and dismemberment seemed like an achievable goal.

I didn’t take into account how much I’d hate the sheer, impenetrable awkwardness.

We ride in silence, all eighteen of us. The hush is only punctuated by Dots’s snuffling noises as he bounds ahead, and the sound of the litter being dragged behind Hyllus’s horse, carrying a still-unconscious Alastor.

It’s partly Leon’s fault. He insisted on riding near the back where he could see everyone at all times—which is useful for staring daggers at the rebels but not for setting anyone at ease. I don’t think any of the Hand have realized who he is yet, but the aura of danger he projects is enough to leave them unsettled.

I suppose that’s his prerogative. Though I pray to the gods that when we get to this base it will be clear the rebels had nothing to do with his parents’ deaths.

Maybe that’s shortsighted. Part of me hopes Leon gets a chance for some closure at last. But Tira’s right—we need allies, not more enemies. It’s a relief to finally meet some people in Trova who are on my side. I don’t want to lose that, even if I don’t know exactly what they want from me yet. It’s possible they plan to make a pawn of me, just like Respen, but my gut tells me that their motivations are more noble than the fae king’s.

And Will trusts them. He told me as much when we said goodbye, standing on the porch of the little cottage. He said he’d gotten in contact with the rebels when he retired because he started thinking about his legacy. He believes their goal is a righteous one: dismantling the Temple and going back to the way things were before the war, when people could practice their religion however they wanted.

I know Will doesn’t really believe in the gods, so it didn’t surprise me that he has strong views about the Temple. What did surprise me was the fervor in his eyes when he talked about making a difference and leaving this world a better place. He even offered to come with us.

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