Ruined - Amy Tintera Page 0,97
closer to Galo, lowering his voice. “Will you go down there and relieve any guards? Tell them they’re needed out front. I’ll meet you there in a minute.”
Galo gave Cas a questioning look, but he nodded and headed out of the room. Cas walked to the stairs, jogging up them and into the east tower. His mother and Jovita stood by the window in the small room. They both turned when he walked in.
“Tell me what’s going on.” He moved to the window, nudging Jovita aside. The sun was setting, and a soldier was lighting the torches around the building. It was quiet, the air thick with fear and tension.
“We’ve spotted some movement in the woods,” his mother said. “We think they’ll be attacking tonight. They were probably waiting for us to get here.”
“We’re their target,” he said.
“It might have been safer for you to stay hidden in the jungle,” Jovita added.
“Safer, maybe, but not a very brave choice considering we’re at war.” He cracked a knuckle as he said the word war.
“Why do you have a warrior’s sword?” Jovita asked, eyeing the blade at his waist.
“I took it from one after I killed him.”
“Did you come all this way by yourself?” Suspicion crept into her voice.
“Does everyone have orders?” he asked, ignoring the question. He gestured at the soldiers outside. “Do they . . . know what to do?” He knew nothing about leading an army into battle, and the question sounded stupid as it left his mouth.
“Colonel Dimas is the highest-ranking officer here,” the queen said. “I’d hoped General Amaro would make it in time, but she hasn’t arrived.” She paused. “Or she’s dead.”
“There are already plans in place to defend Fort Victorra in case of an attack,” Jovita said. “You should know that, Cas.”
He vaguely remembered those plans, and he rubbed his fingers against his head. “Forgive me if I can’t remember everything clearly right now, Jovita. I didn’t have guards to escort me through the jungle. I’ve barely slept since we were attacked.”
“Your Majesty?”
Cas turned to the source of the voice to find a short guard standing in the doorway. He looked at Cas nervously.
“I’m sorry to interrupt, Your Majesty, but I’m not sure who I’m supposed to be reporting to right now.”
“It’s fine,” Cas said.
“We were just told to leave the dungeons—me and the other guards—and I just wanted you to know that we don’t usually leave Olivia with less than three guards and—”
“Is she dangerous?” Cas interrupted.
“Well, no, not anymore, but—”
“Then we need you fighting.”
The guard nodded and scurried away, mumbling an apology as he went.
The queen and Jovita regarded him with matching suspicion. He tried to keep a neutral expression on his face.
His mother touched his arm. “Cas, let’s get you something to eat and hide you in one of the rooms. Jovita and I can handle any problems that arise.”
Cas’s gaze flickered to Jovita, an uneasy feeling unfolding in his chest. “I’m not hiding away while our soldiers fight.” He turned to his cousin. “Jovita, go get Colonel Dimas and tell him to meet me downstairs. I want a briefing on the plan.”
“Your mother and I already talked to him,” Jovita said.
“Good. Now go and tell him the king wants to speak with him in a few minutes.”
Jovita’s jaw twitched, but she walked past him and ran down the stairs. He headed after her, his mother following him.
“Part of being a good king is making sure you stay alive to actually rule,” she said, her shoes pounding the floor as she ran after him. “Charging into battle to save a few staff members in a wagon and—”
“We saved them and I’m still here, Mother.”
“It’s not smart.” She grabbed his shirt, pulling him to a stop. “Why did you take the guards off Olivia?”
“We need everyone fighting.” He tried to keep his face blank, but his mother frowned suspiciously.
Cas turned away, jogging down the stairs. His mother stayed put, and he could feel her eyes burning into his back. He stepped off the stairs and out of her line of sight. He was going to have to sneak Olivia out, and he wasn’t looking forward to the fallout once his mother realized what he’d done.
Colonel Dimas walked through the front door and nodded at Cas. “Your Majesty. I’m glad you made it here safely.” He led Cas outside and took him around the entire building, giving Cas a brief rundown of their defense strategy as they walked. Many of the guards and soldiers