Page 91 of Revealing Fate

“We could use their help,” he said. “But only with your permission.”

Felíne searched Kal’s face. The serious slash of his brow. The bottomless black sea that roiled in his eyes. The grooves of tension at the corners of his mouth. The shadowed stubble along the line of his jaw. “If I say no?”

His reply was immediate. “I will carry your secret into my grave.”

If fear was an insidious foe, then trust was an unexpected ally.

“You trust them?”

He nodded.

Felíne reached for his hand. Squeezed it. “I trust you. Tell them what you will.”

Chapter 34

QUESTIONS

KAL FOUND SANTHE AND ADDER in the living room when he emerged with Kitty. Adder sat reposed on the couch, long arms spread along the headrest to either side, settled back into the cushions. Santhe perched on the edge of a chair, arms crossed, fingers tapping. They both looked up when he entered.

Kal lowered himself into the chair opposite Santhe, and Kitty sank onto the side of the couch nearest him. Kitty sat with her hands clasped in her lap, trying not to fidget. He could sense her anxiety, the worry that knotted her muscles and tensed the delicate arch of her brows. Kal clamped down on the urge to protect her. He had no trouble shielding her from an enemy. In fact, he doubted he could help himself at this point. But these were his friends.

Santhe opened her mouth.

“Before you assault me with questions, San,” he interrupted with a hand, “—and I promise you’ll get to pose them—I have a few of my own. Namely, Adder, what are you doing here?”

He’d left his friend with the fleeing citizens of Cindamar after King Domitan’s hunters had discovered the hidden city in their pursuit of Kitty. They’d killed two of the hunters, but the third, Tavene, had escaped. Kal convinced Trade Master Grisham to mobilize his miniature trade empire and make for the mountainous High Country, where they’d be shielded from any potential Asterosian retaliation. Adder, as a member of Grisham’s personal guard, had assisted with the evacuation.

“Grisham reached the High Country without issue,” Adder said. “He met with the mountain lords and entered negotiations, urging them to combine their forces. The whole range is preparing for a potential conflict. Every shurii with a shred of fighting experience is being put to use. Ophelia remained behind to assist in their training. Even Meryl commands a battalion.”

Kal felt Kitty stiffen next to him. He didn’t have to look at her to know why. She and the Trade Master’s sister, Meryl, had been friendly upon meeting in Cindamar. When the hunters arrived from Asteros, Meryl’s new husband wound up a tragic casualty. Despite assurances to the contrary, Kitty felt responsible for his death.

Meryl’s involvement in the battle preparations didn’t surprise him. The need for vengeance had hammered her easy smiles and jubilant demeanor into armored resolve. Kal could relate. Grief had a way of warping souls.

“I’m here,” Adder continued, “because our scouts found Asterosian soldiers sniffing around the Saraat not far from Cindamar’s old settlement. If Domitan doesn’t already know something, he likely will soon. Grisham is worried he’ll send his army into the High Country. We have the advantage of terrain, but they’re not ready to face a host of that size, mate.”

Kal rested his chin atop his knuckles. “I assume the Trade Master wants to move up the shipment of silverskin we agreed upon, but something tells me it’s more than that.”

Adder nodded. “He wants⁠—”

Santhe’s patience expired. “Wait, Adder,” she interrupted, pegging Kitty with a hard stare. “Before you say anything else, I want to know if we can trust her.”

Kal reclined with confident ease. “She wouldn’t be here if we couldn’t.”

“Curious,” Santhe replied, “considering how duplicitous she’s been. When last we spoke, you weren’t using the term trust to describe your feelings toward her.”

No. He’d used the word hate—that sentiment he possessed so abundantly yet remained incapable of directing toward Kitty. He’d moved past it. Santhe, quite clearly, had not.

Adder glanced between the three of them. Kal was the picture of aplomb, but inside, his hackles rose. Tension rippled in the air.

Santhe continued, uncaring. “We all risked our necks to pull off this little heist. I want to know who we risked them for. Because it sure as shit wasn’t Rask Harless’s sister.”

Kal felt Kitty’s concern as a bitter tang in the air. He took her hand. Squeezed it. He’d assured her this was the right move, and she trusted him. Kal met Santhe’s scornful gaze, then Adder’s curious one.

“You’re right, Santhe. You both deserve a proper introduction. But before you receive it, I trust you remember where your loyalties lie and that mine have not wavered. Not for a moment.”

At this, Adder’s eyebrow cocked in confusion. Santhe waited.

Kal inhaled. “This is⁠—”