As I turned towards her chambers, her eyebrows pulled together. “Why—”
“Alden doesn’t know either.”
She sighed audibly, and I bit at the inside of my cheek, silently kicking myself for not telling her sooner.
Once we were in her chambers, she pulled the paper from her nightstand and handed it to me. I quickly scribed the note to Delphia and tossed it in the flames.
“It shouldn’t take long for her to respond,” I assured her.
She strolled to the window, peeking out over the water. “I missed the view.”
“Me too,” I replied, joining her by the window. Standing behind her, I wrapped my arms around her waist and rested my chin on her head.
“Please. No more secrets.” Her words were tight.
“No more secrets,” I echoed and I meant it. With every fiber of my being, I meant it.
The fire sputtered and we both jerked toward it to see a note floating from it. She jogged to catch it midair and quickly unfolded it, her eyes darting across the page. The crease between her eyebrows deepened and she handed me the note.
“They’re alive, thank the Goddess. They just arrived at the castle. They’re scoping the area.”
“They’ll be alright,” I said as she nodded, but the crease between her brows didn’t ease. I lifted a hand and rubbed my thumb between her brows, gently smoothing the worry line. “If anyone can get them in and out, it’s Delphia.”
“Yeah,” she replied, sitting in a chair as she chewed on her bottom lip. I strolled around and massaged her shoulders, kneading into the tight knots.
I was worried too, the Goddess knew I was, but I was managing it, and I sure as hell wouldn’t let Ara see it when she was already so worried. I trusted Delphia, so I was leaving it in her hands. She was right when she said it could be no one else.
She will get them in and out,I reassured myself.
“Try not to worry about them. With the majority of the soldiers heading our way, I would say they’re safer than us right now,” I said, chuckling.
She gave me a flat look.
“But now that we know they’re alive and well, I, unfortunately, have to go break the news to Doran that they’re gone. Protective big brother is not going to be happy.”
As I descended the entryway steps into the bailey, I sighed against the tightness in my chest, spotting Doran just outside the gates. Anxiety churned in my gut as I closed the distance between us.
He nodded as I neared him, dismissing the men he was speaking with.
“Done with Ara so soon?” he asked with a lopsided grin.
I didn’t respond and his smile fell.
“What is it?”
“Delphia.”
His spine stiffened.
“She’s in Auryna with Thana, rescuing her family.”
“Wha— How could she be so reckless? She told me she was going to stay behind with Thanahere. At Draig Hearth. When did you find out? We must go help her.” The words rushed from his mouth as he strode to the gates.
“No, Doran,” I replied and his face snapped back to me with confusion. “We are not. I talked to her before she left. She asked for my permission and I gave it.”
His mouth fell open before twisting into a snarl. He stalked back to me, his fists clenched at his sides, and stopped directly in front of me. Clenching his jaw, he shook his head slightly, reared back, and clocked me in the jaw.
“How the hell could you let them leave like that and not tell me?” he shouted. “Youknowhow much she means to me, everything we’ve been through!”