Sometimes, his honesty shocked me. What are you even doing here? You stayed away so long, I thought you weren’t coming.
—You missed me, and now are piqued. Know that I was obtaining something that guarantees my success with you.—
More coercion?
—A gift for you. That’s why I’ve allowed the mortal leeway and refrained from a slaying. Because you’re about to be mine.—
His confidence unsettled me. Good to know you were worried about your wife alone out on the road. You let me make the journey by myself. And face the twins! Though you knew how much they would hate me.
—I felt confident that you and six other Arcana, one of the largest alliances yet, could take out a pair of insignificant carnates. To guard you on your way, I bade Lark to dispatch the wolf.—
And spy on me. Cyclops led you past the minefield.
Aloud, Aric said, “Lark sends her regards, wants to know when you’re coming home. She’s feeling better, by the way.”
“I would’ve asked, but my mind’s a little occupied. Who knows what could be happening to Selena right now?” Who knew what could be going through Jack’s head?
“You’re determined to go after her?” Aric said.
“Absolutely. She’s my friend.”
“You won’t ask if I’m willing to assist you?”
I didn’t pause, just hefted my appropriated saddle onto my appropriated mare. “Would it make a difference?”
In a contemplative tone, he said, “Perhaps I miscalculated with you earlier this week.” He was calculating even now! “Perhaps you would be moved by sacrifice.”
“Instead of a deal?”
“Just so. I underestimated the depth of your affection for me, Empress. When I was unconscious from your kiss”—smirk at Jack—“you took pains to ensure my safety. Your barricade of our bedroom door was as charming as it was heartening. Armor, swords, and shields, like a bird building a nest.”
Jack stiffened, clenching his jaw until the muscles bulged.
“He’s needling you, Jack. He’ll do this until you want to”—I turned to Aric—“strangle him in vine!”
Unfazed, Aric merely raised his brows at me. “Well?”
I struggled with my temper. We did need him. If there was the slightest chance he’d agree . . . “Will you help us?”
—On two conditions. For the duration of this rescue, you make no decisions about your future, concerning me or the mortal. And you resist his advances.—
Borderline close to coercion there, Aric.
—Those are my terms.—
Fine. But I’ve got a condition of my own. You don’t hurt Jack, or put him in a position to get hurt.
Aric inclined his head, saying aloud, “For you, I’ll pledge my sword. My standard has a rose on it for a reason.” He sounded like a knight speaking to his queen.
Or his empress.
Jack finished saddling the gray. “No way in hell I’m riding with him.”
“Excellent,” Death said. “You set off alone, and I’ll accompany her.”
I told Jack, “All things considered, more is better. Especially when the route is as dangerous as you say.”
“You can’t trust him, no! Out there, you got to trust the people you ride with.”
Aric hiked his shoulders. “I’ve given her my word that I won’t hurt you.”
Between gritted teeth, Jack said, “Try. To.”
“Jack . . .”
“And what about you, Evangeline? You seeded your vines when he arrived—because you didn’t know if you’d have to defend yourself from him!”
Death waved that away. “Old habits die hard. But deep down she knows I will never again harm her.” He tilted his head at Jack. “Curious that you would decline an extra sword to protect the Empress, the woman you profess to love?”
“I woan ride with you, Reaper. And neither will Evie.”
“That would effectively doom the Archer. Shame. From what I heard, you now know how rough the Lovers play. The physical’s just a fraction of the damage they can do. Or so I’m told. Would you want that for our poor, dear Selena?”
Joules rushed into the stable. With a scathing look at Death, he told us, “Matthew was sayin’ some things that actually made sense, in between the droolin’ and crazy eyes and all. Said the three of you will ride out together, or she’s dead by week’s end.”
“Then we have no choice.” I told Jack and Aric, “You two are going with me, and we will save her.”
Joules quietly said, “No, lass. The three of you ride from here—or you die.”
22
As I followed Jack through the minefield, I chanced a look back at the fort.
Matthew had provided no more information about how I might have died there by week’s end. “Fate marked you,” he’d whispered, rocking on his cot. “Far from out of the woods, Empress. Fate demands her due.”
After that pronouncement, Aric and Jack had shut up and readied for the trip. I currently rode between them. Fitting.
I’d had time to grab bandages for Jack’s burn, and for a quick apology to Tess. I’d promised Gabriel that we would return with Selena. In a spur of optimism, I’d snagged her bow for the trip back. I’d hugged an unresponsive Matthew until I thought I’d break him.
Finn had sworn he’d take care of Matthew, and we’d left the wolf to protect them. Who knew if any other traitors had been planted?
Jack figured we could make it to Dolor in three days. Seventy-two hours to reach Selena. Would the twins truly wait until her arm had healed to begin torturing her?
The carnates had inflicted so much damage on Jack in such a short time. Shadows tinged his eyes that had never been there before. New secrets festered inside him that would never see the light. What had they done to him? I asked myself that over and over.
My thoughts were in turmoil, my mind overloaded by all the things happening to us. I’d freaking time-traveled hours ago.
Was this a hint of what it was like for Matthew?
Aric’s arrival just added to the chaos. As we’d exited the gates, he’d told me, —All I wanted was to return you to our home, yet now I find myself aiding my most hated enemy to save another card. You lead me on a merry chase, little wife.—
I peeked over my shoulder. His eyes were locked on me.
I faced forward, determined to ignore him. He might not have had malicious intent toward me; didn’t mean I’d forgiven him.