Book 3: Cooperation

Candace

‘He’s in,’ Kieran says through the mind-link. ‘Everyone convene in the main dining room in fifteen minutes.’

I look up at Ingrid, painting on the other side of her sitting room. She grins at me. I don’t know what comes next from here, and I doubt she does either, but we won’t be trapped in Kar Castle while a doomed fight rages outside.

To think, a few months ago I was worried about a dream of a slightly bloody mate.

As we ready ourselves, I reach out to Kash and give him the information. I haven’t heard from him since this morning, haven’t even seen him, but I’m holding out hope.

By the time we reach the main dining room, one of the biggest spaces I’ve seen in Kar Castle yet, it’s already halfway transformed into a massive war room. King Andri, in a simple shirt and trousers, no sign of the imperious cloaks he usually wears, orders staff this way and that with simple nods of his head. Hollis confers with a small knot of soldiers