protector. He’s the only person I completely trust to have my back, and the only person I feel I can be completely open with.
He’s mine as much as I’m his, and I miss him.
I’m tired of being in this place, too. They’ve been monopolizing Aron and because he doesn’t want me around them, I’ve been confined to these rooms. Granted, they’re nice rooms, but I miss his company. So I’m more than ready to leave Novoro once and for all.
Servants arrive with warm cloaks and tailors fit me for new, warm traveling clothing to go over the mountains. They confirm what I already know—the tournament is over and Aron has made it clear that it’s time for him to move on. After that, it’s a whirlwind of fittings and packings, and feasts for Aron as they celebrate him. Again.
No wonder he wants to move on. He can’t get shit done around here because they want to party constantly.
On the morning of the third day after my cataclysmic rendezvous with Aron, he returns to my rooms just as Yulenna and I are waking up and eating breakfast. He sweeps in, covered in a long, black cloak trimmed with white fur, a sword at his waist and studded armor on his chest. His long hair is pulled back into a tail, emphasizing the hard lines of his face and he looks so good I could eat him with a spoon.
His gaze immediately sweeps past Yulenna as if she’s a gnat and focuses on me. “Faith.”
“Hi,” I say around a piece of toast. “Are we leaving now?”
Aron nods. “Dress warmly. There is a storm coming.” He eyes me again, and then adds, “Can you be ready to leave once you finish eating?”
“Yup.” I get to my feet, licking my fingers. “I’ll have them pack up my breakfast. Come on, Yulenna.” I grab a new piece of toast and shove it in my mouth to eat while I dress. I’m glad—I’m more than ready to go.
“My lord of Storms,” a familiar voice calls from the hallway. “I have heard rumor that you are leaving our keep? Surely not now, with a snowstorm on the horizon?”
Irritation flashes across Aron’s features, and his jaw clenches. I recognize Lord Secuban’s voice an instant before he comes into my rooms. I get the impression Aron is equally tired of Lord Secuban, because I can see his face practically shutting down as the man moves to his side.
“Did I invite you into my concubine’s private chambers?” Aron asks coldly, not looking over at Lord Secuban.
Both Yulenna and I freeze at Aron’s dangerous tone of voice.
“I apologize for the intrusion,” Secuban says, not moving from his spot at Aron’s side. He totally does not realize how in danger he is. I’ve seen Aron kill men in an eyeblink for less. “But I must speak to you. Stay in Novoro longer, my great lord. We will give you everything you need to ensure that you win your battle against the other Aspects.”
Aron’s nostrils flare. “Not necessary.”
“We have the strongest army in the mountains, my lord. No one can take this keep, and we are the sole path to the northern wastes. Here, you can defend for months. Years, if you must. And we will be your army.”
“I am not interested in taking a defensive stance,” Aron tells him with a dismissive look. “It is better to take the battle to my enemies than to wait for them to approach.”
Secuban nods slowly. “I understand. Such are your teachings. But, my lord, if you will not stay, allow me to send my army with you to protect you and your anchor. It would be the greatest of honors for Novoro.”
Aron gives a dismissive snort. “I need no army. I am a god.”
Secuban looks worried. “I have heard rumors that other gods are building armies, my lord. In Adassia—”
“I am a god,” Aron states again, his tone brooking no argument.
Secuban bows deep. “Of course. Forgive me if I overstepped.” But he looks concerned, and I realize he knows more than he’s letting on. If others are forming armies, shouldn’t we do that, too?
I bite my lip and study Aron. As much as I don’t want to travel with an army, I also don’t want to die. But the look on Aron’s face tells me that no army is coming with us, regardless.
And I’m reminded that in addition to being a god, Aron is the personification of arrogance. I hope it’s not arrogance that makes