“Why? So I can be relaxed when you start ranting at me?”

  “I’m not going to rant at you.”

  I snorted. “You have that look in your eye.”

  “I drank the tea,” he pointed out.

  “Doesn’t mean you can’t rant calmly.”

  He chuckled. “Just drink your tea. It’ll help you stay alert the rest of the day—and night.”

  “Fine.” I tipped up my mug and emptied the contents, swigging it before the bitter taste could change my mind. When I was done, I held the mug loose in my hand. “Talk to me,” I said.

  Xander hesitated, glancing around as if we suddenly might not be alone. “Walk with me,” he said.

  I fell into step beside him down the narrow aisle. His hand slid into mine, his skin warm. His touch was the reassurance I hadn’t known I needed. Or maybe it was the tea after all.

  Either way, the moment our hands joined, I felt my body unwind. I still wasn’t sure what had happened to wind him up so much.

  The hand-holding was a good sign, at least.

  We ended up inside the little circle where I’d ridden out the memories just a few days back, and I stiffened. “That tea isn’t going to drug you,” he assured me. “I promise. Sit with me.”

  I let him tug me down, and we both sat with legs tucked in, knee to knee. Eye to eye.

  Just like before, the tall plants created a sort of cocoon. I felt closed in and cut off from the rest of the world. In a good way. Like nothing could touch me here unless I allowed it.

  “This is my favorite place to come,” Xander told me quietly.

  “It is?” I blinked at him, suddenly curious about him. Everything had happened so fast since I’d come back. “Tell me about your life. Here, I mean. Since we’ve been apart. Even with my memories returning, there’s still so much I don’t know.”

  “What do you want to know?” he asked.

  I shrugged. “I have all these memories, but I realize now they are all of an outdated version of you. Just like you remember an old version of me. It doesn’t tell me who you are now.”

  He cocked his head, his gaze far away and thoughtful now. “When I get stressed out or tired of dealing with people, I come here and just sit. My mom’s figured it out, and probably Ben, too, but they leave me alone.” He glanced at the plants surrounding us. “It’s the only place I’ve been able to find some quiet.”

  “I wish I’d been here,” I said. “For you. And for Jalene.” Guilt pricked at my chest. “I could have helped you. I—”

  “You stayed alive, and that’s more than any of us could hope,” he said. His voice was low and scratchy now, and thanks to my memories, I knew it meant he was in pain.

  “I’ll make you a deal,” I said. “I’ll stop feeling guilty for missing the last few years with you if you stop feeling guilty for thinking I was dead.”

  He shook his head and reached for my hand. “How about I’ll stop feeling guilty for thinking you were dead if you tell Kent he can’t come with us.”

  “You’re playing dirty,” I accused. I snatched my hand away. “Now I see why you brought me out here and soothed me with all your nice words.” But the teasing in my voice drew a rueful smile from him.

  “It was worth a try,” he said, and I shoved him playfully.

  We both laughed, and he caught my hand in his again. I held on tight, waiting for him to get around to whatever was bothering him.

  Finally, Xander took a deep breath. “The council met while you were asleep.”

  I stared at him. “And? Did they vote already?”

  “Not about you.”

  “Then what is it?” I asked.

  “I’ve been removed temporarily from duty,” he said quietly. “I am no longer leading the Zorovian army.”

  “What?” The word came out like a screech much louder than I’d intended. I forced my voice lower. “They can’t do that.”

  “They can and they have.” His expression contorted. “It seems my close association with you has made them question whether I’m the best fit for a leadership role.”

  “But… That means they think I’m not fit for a leadership role.”

  I stared back at him, horrified. Heat built behind my chest, sending waves of fury and fire through my veins.

  “Calm down,” Xander soothed, and I looked down to see his hand reddening against the temperature of my skin. Still, he didn’t pull away.

  I took a few deep breaths, willing my body to relax.

  “Xan, they can’t do this,” I said.

  “I know, but… For now, it’s for the best. If we’re leaving tonight, it means I won’t be skipping out on my military duties.”

  He had a point. “Who did they put in charge?” I asked.

  Xander sighed. “Johnas.”

  My muscles tensed. “Gregory’s protégé,” I spat.

  “He’s also Kent’s best friend, you know.”

  “I didn’t know that,” I admitted then looked away, bracing myself for the argument I knew was coming.

  “You know Kent’s done nothing but campaign against me since the moment I stepped up.” There was no venom in his words now, not like earlier. But the facts remained, and I couldn’t argue with them.

  “I know,” I said quietly.

  “And since the moment you arrived, he’s been against you too.”

  “I know,” I said again.

  “Why should we believe he would do anything to help either of us now?”

  “You don’t have to believe him,” I said. “Believe the oracle.”

  “I do now,” he admitted, and there was something about the way he said it that made me finally look up again and meet his gaze.

  “What did you do?” I asked, searching his secretive blue eyes for the truth.

  “I went to see Mihra while you were asleep,” he admitted.

  My brows rose, but I couldn’t blame him. “And?”

  “She confirmed it.” His gaze sharpened. “Which I’m sure you already know, and that’s why you didn’t bother to call her in for verification like you did my mother.” He rubbed my hand with the pad of his thumb and added, “I didn’t give you enough credit in there. I’m sorry.”

  I shook my head. “If anything, I owe you an apology. I should have told you about it even if I didn’t tell the council. I mean, I was going to but—”

  “You had a lot going on,” he finished.

  Our eyes met.

  I tried not to think of Nightingale. This moment was nice, and I hated to ruin it with tears.

  I blinked and looked back at our hands, watching as Xander’s thumb drew comforting circles against my skin. “Look, I didn’t know Kent well before, so I don’t have the history with him that you do. But I don’t take that history lightly either. So I understand how hard this is for you.”

  “I don’t trust him,” he said. “Even if he isn’t lying about the medallion. I don’t trust him. I can’t. Not after everything he’s done to my family. And Jalene.”

  I met his gaze. “What happened between them?”

  He pressed his lips together and blew out a hard breath. “You should ask her.”

  I nodded. “You’re right.”

  Somewhere nearby, a bird called. The sound of it echoed through the trees, reminding me that even though it felt private here, it wasn’t. Or not private enough for all the things I wished Xander and I had time for. Instead, I stared down at Xander’s hand joined with mine, admiring the muscles corded around his forearm. His sun-kissed skin.

  His hand—so much bigger than mine—was both familiar and unfamiliar. Like so many other things in this new life. But the comfort was still there—along with a hell of a lot more desire than had been between us back then.

  When I looked up again, I found him watching me. His blue eyes were deeper now, their depths strangely reflective of my own thoughts. His eyes flicked to my mouth. I licked my lips, and his lids turned heavy.

  My breath caught at the desire curling low inside me. The air between us warmed with tension. He leaned forward, closing the distance quickly in a hard kiss.

  “Careful now. Are you sure you want to associate with someone like me?” I teased.

  He gave a low laugh. “There are a lot of things I want to do with you. We can call them ‘associating’ if that’s what you prefer.”

  His blue eyes twinkled, and I wondered if he knew how seductive he was when he looked at me that way.

  “I love it when you talk politics,” I whispered, and he laughed again.

  I let go of his hand, careful not to waste a single second as I crawled into his lap and wound my arms around his neck. The sensation of the plants closing us in created a cocoon until all I knew was Xander—his mouth, his hands. The closeness was overwhelming. The way his body responded to mine was its own form of magic. A power much bigger than anything I could control.

  My emotions rose and then spilled over.

  By the time I knew what was happening, Xander had eased back and swiped his thumb over my wet cheeks. “Don’t cry,” he whispered, the pads of his thumbs rubbing circles over my cheeks as he stared back at me.

  “I can’t help it,” I said as more tears overflowed. “It’s that stupid tea.” I sniffled. “Dammit, your sneaky mother gets me every time.”

  Chapter Seven

  As predicted, the council ate up the impromptu blessing ceremony right down to the special tea Beck had brewed for the occasion. The moment Ben returned with the report that everyone was occupied, I threw a change of clothes together along with the food Beck had left out and headed for the front door. Kent was already waiting outside when Xander and I slipped out his front door, a bag tied to each of our backs. The boys frowned at the sight of each other and then quickly turned to me. Fine. I’d be the peacemaker—for now.

  I looked at Xander. “I’ve got something to do before—”

  “I need to make a quick stop—”

  We both stopped and smiled crookedly at each other.

  “Meet at the tree in twenty?” I suggested.

  Xander nodded but then hesitated, eyeing Kent.

  “He’s with me,” I said.

  Xander nodded, his expression torn between relieved and dubious, and then planted a quick kiss on my cheek. Then he shot Kent a pointed look that was so territorial, I rolled my eyes. “See you soon,” he said and then he took off at a run, sticking to the shadows.

  Overhead, the moon was nearly obscured by wispy clouds. I hoped they held out until we could get away.

  “We should get to the exit point,” Kent said.

  “I have a quick stop to make, and then we’ll be on our way,” I told him, heading in the opposite direction Xander had gone.

  “Are you sure Xander is going to be okay with this?” Kent asked, glancing behind us as Xander disappeared into the darkness.

  “He knows I’m picking up someone who will get us through the portal,” I said.

  “And he didn’t ask who you had in mind?” Kent pressed.

  “No.”

  “Wow,” Kent said. “I’m impressed. How…progressive of him.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Not progressive exactly. I suspect he only let it go because it makes us even.” And because we’d used the time we had left earlier to do not a lot of talking.

  “Even for what?”

  “Do you know what stop Xander had to make on the way here?” I asked.

  “No,” he said, brows crinkling suspiciously.

  “Neither do I.”

  He didn’t respond, and I was glad for it. I had a suspicion about where Xander had gone but telling Kent that now would probably only make him more nervous than he already was.

  Best to let it all be a surprise.

  There was no going back now, anyway.

  I followed the directions Ben had given me earlier, surprised to find myself standing before a side door of one of the smallest houses on my block. Or what was left of my block. My house, along with several others on either side, was now a crater thanks to Taryn. Or thanks to me.

  This one was tucked so far behind the others, it was untouched by the fire I’d called down from the skies. I was glad I hadn’t damaged it. Or its occupants.

  “What the hell are we doing here?” Kent hissed from beside me. Clearly, he already knew who lived here.

  Ignoring him, I raised my hands and rapped my knuckles on the wooden door. It opened even before I’d finished knocking.

  “Good evening,” I said brightly. Maybe too brightly.

  Dominik stared back at me with large yellow eyes that sparkled with a knowing that suggested he knew why I was here. “Empress,” he said simply.

  He didn’t move to let me in, but he hadn’t shut the door yet either.

  I cleared my throat as Dominik’s gaze flicked to Kent then back to me. “Listen, I was wondering…” I sighed and then decided to just go for it. “I need a favor.”

  “What can I do for you?” he asked.

  “It’s more like where can you go for me, actually.”

  Those yellow eyes narrowed in suspicion and curiosity. “What’s going on?” he asked, his gaze catching on the bag I wore.

  Before I could answer, Kent glanced nervously behind us and stepped closer. “Can we talk inside?” he asked.

  Dominik stepped back, and we slipped into the house.

  The door shut with a click behind me.

  Inside, the décor was sparse. Blankets and cozy cushions lined the floor. The walls were devoid of photos or anything personal. But what it lacked in welcome factor, it made up for in personality. I stopped just inside the entryway and stared at the view. Floor-to-ceiling windows that pushed outward to open lined the wall before me. The glass provided unobstructed visibility into the forest that encroached on the far walls. Some of the branches brushed right up against the windows, sending them scratching and creaking with every breeze. It was gorgeous in the scattered moonlight. I could only imagine what it looked like during daylight hours. Or sunset.

  “This place is fantastic,” I said, my voice hushed.

  “It’s the closest I can get to outside,” Dominik said.

  I looked back at him. “You’d rather be outdoors,” I said.

  “Most of the time, I am. Eamon prefers me here, though, so he knows where to find me if there’s an emergency.” He gave me a slanted look. “There have been several of those lately.”

  I cringed. “I’m sorry.”

  To my surprise, he gave a short laugh. “Don’t be. This place needed some stirring up. Those old men are getting far too comfortable with their meetings and rituals.” He eyed me and Kent. “I think they’ve forgotten what it’s like to be young and full of fight.”

  Something inside me unfurled at that. “That’s kind of what I want to talk to you about,” I said.

  “You’re leaving, aren’t you?”

  The question was so direct, I was stunned speechless. My mouth opened and closed again. Kent shifted closer to me.

  I looked back at Dominik and lifted my chin. “Yes.”

  He nodded, a small reaction compared to what I’d expected.

  “I’d like you to come with us,” I added.

  That got his attention.

  “Where?” he asked.

  “To the Vanguard System to start,” I said and Kent scowled.

  “Don’t tell him the plan until he agrees,” Kent grumbled in my ear. “We can’t afford him knowing too much if Eamon asks.”

  “What’s in the Vanguard System?” Dominik asked, ignoring Kent.

  “An item foretold by the oracle,” I said.

  Kent made a noise and stalked away, his arms folded tightly across his chest.

  “What will it do?” Dominik asked.

  “Help me kill Tharos.”

  Dominik studied me. I waited, my feet planted, my gaze steady. It felt a lot like when Peter used to stare me down to see if I would fold under pressure or get caught in a lie. But instead of more questions or demands, Dominik lowered his head in a bow.

  “What are you doing?” I asked.

  “If your majesty orders it, I’ll have no choice but to obey.” He spoke with his eyes still on the floor, and I understood.

  My lips curved wryly. “All right. I order you to accompany us to search for the medallion.”

  Dominik’s nose touched the wood floor. “As you wish, Your Highness.”

  Kent’s brows shot up, and he looked over at me. “Really?”

  Dominik rose.

  I shrugged. “He can’t be held responsible now,” I told Kent.

  “Can we just get going already?” he asked.

  “Relax,” I told him. “It’s a solid plan. If Eamon catches us before we make it out, you can tell him I forced you under the threat of exposing that you’re really a decent guy when no one’s looking.”

  “Please.” He scoffed. “No one will believe you, anyway.”

  “True.” I adjusted my bag and glanced at Dominik. “We have about three minutes to get to the portal. Grab what you need and let’s move.”

  “I don’t need anything,” he said, using his nose to shove open a window. The pane pushed forward until the opening allowed him enough room to slip through into the night. “Except for both of you to keep up.”

  Kent was close on Dominik’s heels, ducking through the window and breaking into a run. His feet scuffed softly against the ground as he took off behind the huge wolf. I followed them out and into the trees, heart racing, blood pumping, as my feet propelled me forward into the unknown.

  Dominik was faster than Kent and me, but he matched his pace to ours, staying only just ahead as he cut a path around town and out to the portal. By the time he slowed to a walk, my lungs felt ready to burst. Kent’s shirt was damp with sweat, and his forehead shone in the moonlight. He swiped at it with his sleeve, his shoulders rising and falling with each breath. I gulped some of the water from the bottle in my bag and then offered it to him. He took it without a word, and then we started moving again, this time at a walk. Dominik fell back, and I knew he was keeping watch to be sure we hadn’t been followed.