Page 98 of The Traitor Queen (The Bridge Kingdom 2)

“We didn’t have Harendell and Valcotta as allies before.”

Jor grimaced. “Even so. Doesn’t feel right, which I expect is why you’re here burning your house down rather than celebrating at the barracks.”

Nothing felt right. Aren stared at the flames, wondering if Lara had finally awoken. If she was all right. How she had reacted when she realized that he’d left her.

Feel something!What iswrongwith you?

Distantly, Aren heard the sound of horns, but he couldn’t pick out the message over the roar of the flames.

“She’ll be all right,” Jor said. “We left her everything she needed. Likely, she’s already on her way back to her sisters. They’ll take care of her.”

“I know.”

“You made the right choice.”

“I know.”

“There will be other women. You’ll find one you like—a good Ithicanian girl. Give the kingdom an heir to make everyone happy.”

There’d never be another. Not like her.

But maybe that was for the best. Maybe it was better not to care so much because then his loyalties wouldn’t be divided. He could focus on rebuilding Ithicana. On making his people strong again.

“Your Grace!” Aren turned, seeing one of his soldiers sprinting up the path toward them. He skidded to a halt, gasping for breath.

“What is it?” Jor shouted over the roar of the blaze. “Another attack?”

“Did you not hear the horns?”

“Obviously not. What did they say?”

The soldier wiped away the sweat dribbling down his face. “There was no battle at Southwatch.”

Aren’s stomach plummeted. “The signal was a false? Maridrina still holds the island?”

“No, Your Grace. When the Valcottans attacked, they found the island abandoned. And we’re getting messages that our teams are finding most of the garrisons barely manned. No sign of the Maridrinian or Amaridian fleets anywhere.”

Aren’s skin prickled with unease. “What of Northwatch?”

“We’ve sent the query, but no response as yet.”

As soon as the man said the words, Aren heard the blasts of horns in the distance, the message rippling through the signalmen and women strategically placed down the length of Ithicana.

Aren’s eyes met Jor’s. “They knew what we were planning.”

“How? Even if they’d caught sight of the Valcottan fleet moving toward Southwatch, it wouldn’t have been enough time for them to evacuate.”

“Keris.” Swearing, Aren kicked at the dirt. “He was on the beach when Zarrah and her crew came to shore to save our asses. He would have learned that the Empress had declined to help us, which meant that Zarrah was working on her own.”

“But why tell Silas? Wouldn’t it be better for Keris if his father lost the bridge?”

“To protect Zarrah. No battle. No losses. No treason. The Empress won’t be happy with her, but she’s unlikely to execute her. She might even keep her as heir, which is what Keris needs.”

But something about the situation felt wrong. They’d retaken Southwatch without a fight, but it didn’t feel like a victory. “It’s not like Silas to retreat.”

“Maybe Keris made him see reason.”

“Unlikely.” Arenknewthe King of Maridrina. Knew the other man would never concede. And in that heartbeat, Aren knew exactly what Silas intended.

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