Page 124 of Tides of Shadows

He sat over a spread of documents in the office. The moment I entered, I saw that something was wrong. His face was more severe than usual.

“Is everything alright,” I asked quietly.

“A letter from Dricus,” he stated. “He asks for help in the south. Throughout the Dominium they found and destroyed many of the fifth vases. You were right. The Plague spreads from them. But it seems that because of this, the enemy forces have gathered at the desert crossing.”

On the one hand, it was good news—we’d fixed something. On the other…

“If what you saw in the cave is true, they are preparing to storm Emberhold. It’s worse than Dricus thinks. I will go to the south.” he added in a hollow voice. “He is there. Malric.”

I touched my cheek, where the scar of the whip had begun to close. Aidenar rose and came to me, pulling me into a fierce embrace.

“I will kill him,” he whispered. “I will scatter his body across the desert. His and his sister’s.”

I felt his power storm beneath his skin, felt the hurricane rising within him. And for the first time, I didn’t want to calm him down.

“When do we ride?” I asked.

“We?” He drew back and stared at me, eyes wide. “There is no WE. You are not leaving this place until Mina says that you and your mind are safe. You will not ride south.”

“You truly think you will go there alone,” I asked, my voice cold.

“Yes. That is exactly what I think.” His eyes narrowed. “And I know you are stubborn as a mule. That is why I told Mina and Peter not to let you leave Durminas until I deem it safe.”

“Will you keep me here like a prisoner?”

“If necessary. I won’t risk your life unless there is no other choice,” he said firmly, the Lord Cavareth who hands out orders returning within him. “And your nightmares prove it. He still has access to you and only getting stronger.”

I clenched my jaw. I had no answer, for he was right.

I spent the next three days with Aidenar whenever he found a free moment. He oversaw the preparations for the campaign. Only a portion of the knights from Durminas would ride south with him. Leaving the fortress unguarded was not an option, not after the incident with the Dorthals. Along the route, Aiden intended to join forces with other lords. But we had no way of knowing how many had answered Dricus’s letters. How many would unite across the Dominium in the face of attack, and how many would cower behind their castle walls.

When he disappeared into duties, I trained with Minerva. I wanted to be independent as soon as possible. Mina knew perfectly well why I pressed so hard.

“Do not think that when he leaves I will let you slip out of the castle,” she said with a hint of amusement. “Aidenar was very clear that I am to keep you safe. And I already see what you mean to do. Ride alone for two weeks toward the desert. No, my dear. Not on my watch.”

“Will you stop me by force?” I asked challengingly.

“If I must.”

I lifted my hands.

“Fine! You Cavareths are insufferable,” I said louder than I should and left the room.

The bitterness gathered in me like a rising storm. I left the hall and walked toward the library. In the corridor I nearly collided with Tristan, who took one look at my face and smiled with sympathy.

“Mina giving you a rough time? Don’t worry. It’s a shame you didn’t see her fights with Cassandra. People thought the sky was falling on us.”

We walked on together.

“I can imagine.” I took a slow breath. “And your parents? You’re Cavareth. I didn’t know Nicolas had siblings.”

“He had a younger brother, my father. My parents loved each other dearly, but my mother was sickly. She died bearing me. My father… he faded away after that. We moved to Durminas. He died when I was a teenager and I grew up with Aidenar. His father treated me like a son. And Minerva gave me more warmth than Cassandra ever did. She may look crazy and cruel, but underneath she’s a sweetheart.”

“I don’t know if I shall ever see that side of her.”

“Give her healthy great-grandchildren and you will.”

I stopped dead, staring at him as though at a ghost. Tristan burst into laughter.