THE MAN STOPPED short as soon as he spotted Aren and screwed his face into an expression that was probably supposed to mask his fear. He failed.
“Hi, Franco,” Violet said, stepping around Aren and Iria and walking closer to the house looming in front of them.
Aren touched his neck. Iria had informed him of the two new Ruined marks snaking up the side of his neck, making him far more conspicuous than he used to be. He didn’t mind.
“Come on,” Iria said quietly, slipping her hand into his. He let her pull him through the tall iron gate, closer to the scared man.
“Franco, this is Aren,” Violet said. “And Iria. Former warrior.”
Franco looked between them. “You brought me a Ruined and an Olso warrior. You shouldn’t have, Violet.” One side of his mouth turned up.
“I also brought you two king’s guards and a message from King Casimir,” Violet said, pointing to Mateo and Ric, walking the horses through the gate behind them.
Franco turned and jerked his head toward the house. “Come on in.”
Aren hesitated for a moment, unsure if he meant all of them, but Violet motioned for him and Iria to follow.
Three children crowded around the door as they approached. They all stared at Aren.
The older girl and boy stepped back, but the younger boy tilted his chin up, mouth hanging open.
“What kind are you?” he asked.
“Bruno,” Franco said sharply. “Don’t be rude.”
“It’s fine,” Aren said, and found that he meant it. The boy was staring at him with interest, not fear.
“Introduce yourself first,” Franco said to the boy.
“I’m Bruno,” he said.
“Aren. I ruin the body.”
Bruno’s eyes got wider. “That’s the best one!”
“Thank you. I think so too.” Aren grinned.
Bruno stuck his hand out. “Make this move. You can do that, right?”
Franco chuckled, stepping between them and steering Bruno toward his brother and sister. “Why don’t you kids go upstairs for a bit? I need to talk to our guests.”
The children ran upstairs, Bruno twisting around to wave at Aren as he went. Aren lifted his hand before turning to face Franco.
“I wouldn’t have used my powers on him without your permission,” Aren said quietly.
“I appreciate that. I think it’s best you don’t.” Franco motioned to a woman lingering by the stairs. He introduced her as his wife, Esperanza, and ushered them all into the living room.
Aren sat down next to Iria. The room was large and sunny, with brightly colored furniture, but his gaze was on the small statue of one of the ancestors on the table next to him. He could swear these statues were following him.
He scooted away from the statue. His shoulder brushed Iria’s, and she fidgeted nervously as Violet outlined Cas’s plan to bring an army north.
She had one hand on her thigh, tapping her fingers rapidly against her pants. Aren put his hand over hers.
“You look nervous,” he said under his breath. Violet, Franco, and Esperanza were deep in conversation with Mateo and Ric about how to pull the army together, and it didn’t seem like they needed input from anyone else.
“I am nervous,” she whispered.
“I meant guilty. You look guilty.”
“That too.” She gestured at Violet and Franco. “They trust us.”
“Apparently.” He raised an eyebrow. “Should they?”
“… yes?” She laughed softly. “Yes. I just—”
“Aren.” Violet’s voice cut off Iria’s words, and they both turned to her. “Will you go with Franco and Mateo and Ric to round up as many people as possible? We’ll map out a route so you’ll be back by tonight.”
“What about you and Iria?”
“We’ll stay here. Someone needs to stay and greet people as they arrive.”
He glanced at Iria, hesitant to leave her alone.
“It’s fine,” she said.
“I’ll take care of her,” Violet said. “The first thing we’re going to do is put that sword away so no one knows you’re a warrior.”
“Former warrior,” Iria corrected quietly.
“Right. Let’s not advertise it.”
“Sure. I understand.”
Violet stood. “Good. Are you ready, Aren?”
“Now?” he asked.
“No time to waste, unfortunately. I’ll get some food together for you to take with you.”
He nodded and stood, Iria following him as he walked to the front door.
“You’re sure you’ll be all right here?” he asked.
“I think so.” She jerked her head at Violet. “She seems all right.”
He stepped a little closer to her. “What were you going to say before? You said they can trust you, but there was more.”
“You can trust me,” she said firmly. “I didn’t think about what it meant when I chose you. It makes sense that the Ruined would have turned to Lera after we betrayed you, I just didn’t imagine I’d be joining the Lera army.”
He swallowed, the words when I chose you vibrating through his body. “Do you regret it?” he asked quietly. “You can leave anytime. You know that, right?”
“I know. I told you I don’t regret it.”
“Ready?” Mateo asked, reaching past him to open the door. Aren nodded.
“Good luck,” Iria said. Mateo and Ric walked out the door, leaving it open behind them. The sunlight streamed across Iria’s face.
He took her hand again for a moment. He squeezed it because he couldn’t find the right words. She smiled, and he looked over his shoulder three times as he walked away so he could memorize it.