Page 190 of Commanding Blood And Bonds
Westerlunds, Terramyst, Bellaton, Hazelharbor. All under attack. Alec and Fae were with Kingsley. Freya and the Callahans out west with Aren. Who was left, Ally?
Had it been a gamble? Yeah. But it worked. When I realized what was coming at the end of that well, it was that—or black out in a demon-infested basement, praying someone tracked our phones before the enemy did.
Sensing the tension, Kade offered a grin and raised one hand, almost playfully dismissive. “Breakfast is on the first floor, in the dining room. Join me. We can talk.” As he turned, the raven gave a disgruntled rumble, watching us as he disappeared through the doorway. “For what it’s worth, I’m glad you’re well. We have much to discuss,” he called back.
The silence that followed was awkward and heavy.
“There’s a washroom just there,” Cairis said, clearing her throat. “The king had fresh clothes washed and sent up—you’ll find them on the counter beside the towels. I imagine you’ll want to properly rid yourselves of the gore.”
Ally’s gaze softened. “Thank you,” she said simply, and slipped from the sheets.
Alvara
August called Kade.
Kade.
The King of the Necromancers.
The sworn enemy of our friend.
Some toxic, twisted sensation roiled in my gut. The moment the door snicked shut behind him, I whirled on August. “What were you thinking?”
“That we were out of options and about to pass the fuck out in that hellhole,” he replied unapologetically, stepping wider so we were eye-to-eye. “Who knows what would've found us there, powerless to stop them from slitting our throats—or worse.”
“Hell of a roll of the dice, August.”
“And one I'd take again. Kingsley didn't exactly behave like a king when we arrived, and he hasn't earned my loyalty beyond the loosest kind of alliance.”
“We need—”
“His numbers,” he cut in. “I know, baby. But what if Kade was sincere in his offer to fight beside us? What are his numbers worth?”
Ignoring the question I certainly had no answer for, I hissed, “He manipulates the dead.” I huffed a breath, trying to think. My energy was too depleted for the visions to offer even a whisper of foresight. “I don't think there's a darker magic on the planet.”
“Maybe not,” August said, scraping his hand through his ash-flaked hair. “But it’s worth feeling out. An enemy of my enemy is my friend.”
“Until he's not,” I snapped, rubbing at my chest as I fought the urge to pace. “What happens if the more advantageous match is Adrastos and his keeper? Or he sees an opportunity to seize power with us in his palm?”
“Then we cross that bridge when we get to it.”
“We are in his home, August. Powerless. What was your plan if he betrayed us?”
To his credit, my mate didn’t flinch. “Between demons and a soul, my money was on the soul. He might preside over death, but he seemed just as eager to protect this realm as we are. I took a chance.”
“A big one.”
“But it got you to safety, and I'd do it again. We will do it again—a thousand times over before this war ends, Ally. How many hierarchies exist in this world? How many are we going to have to trust before it’s over?”
He had me there. And he wasn’t done.
“I know their absence in your visions makes this alliance harder to stomach, but can you please do what you're always begging me to do?”
“And what's that?”
“Trust me. Follow the plan, even if you don’t like it. I didn’t come up with a backup because I felt we’d be safe here. I believe he means what he said. He wants a partnership. And I know that puts us on thinner ice with Kingsley, but I think Kade will do what’s right when it counts. And I think Rose loves you too much to let her mate do something that would harm you. Including reigniting a war.”
Before I could stop it, I smiled, the expression hesitant as warmth touched my cheeks.
