It takes another hour to convince the King of Glacium of my plan when he realizes I intend to “risk my life” in the “death trap”. It isn’t helped by Olandon suddenly agreeing with everything he says.
Jovan retrieves my Soar from the courtyard while I grab provisions in front of the gawking assembly and visit the chamber to change into my flying suit. In my room, I warn Jimmy not to mention my veil to anyone in the Ire. I don’t know how much I can trust the boy. But I have no choice.
I take the Soar from Jovan who is turning it over in his hands. I begin snapping rods into place. Jovan and Olandon insisted on accompanying me to the roof, both still occasionally attempting to talk me out of my decision. I’m surprised Jovan hasn’t made good on his roaring promise to lock me in my chamber.
“Why are you letting me go?” I finally voice, unable to resist asking.
Jovan watches as I pull the strap tightly over my hips. “Return and I’ll tell you.”
“You’re desperate to stop the Tatum’s Army?” Olandon asks him.
“No,” he says shortly. He resumes the grimacing attention to my hands. “Are you sure you’ve done it right?” he snaps.
I sigh. “Jovan, I’ve done this a hundred times. Stop worrying. Olandon’s not.”
“I would not say that, sister. I just know better than to argue with you,” Olandon says.
“You’ll be preparing your army?” I ask, ignoring my brother. Jovan’s gaze loses its hard edge as he sees my anxiety.
“I have to, Olina. Though for what it’s worth, I hope you are successful and my own army is rendered useless.” I smile sadly at him.
“I understand. You must protect your people. I’d do the same.”
“You realize the archer could have left this way, too.” Jovan says, eyeing the Soar. I slide my veil off and stare up at him. Of course. That makes complete sense.
“I didn’t think of it,” I say, tucking my veil into my body suit. This whole time. I can’t believe it. No wonder I’d never found evidence on Glacium. I’d been so set on the assassin being Blaine I hadn’t considered the Ire. The answer had been right in front of me for weeks. Who else, but the delegates and the Ire, had such access to Osolis?
“I didn’t think so, or you’d already be rushing off to extract your revenge,” he says. I roll my eyes at him.
He grabs my chin. “I only told you because it means you need to watch your back. Focus on what you’re there for. If the assassin is part of this flying community, then you know how to find him.”
He’s right, not that I need the reminder. Preventing war is more important than avenging Kedrick right now. Jovan releases me once he sees his point has hit home.
“Maybe the boy should go first,” he says. I laugh. Olandon looks at him in surprise.
“He’s joking,” I explain.
Jovan raises an eyebrow. “No, I’m not.”
Jimmy’s long been ready and waiting for me. Olandon helps me up onto the edge, gripping my hand as he hopes I’ll come to my senses. It strikes me as I brace myself against the wind, many of the most pivotal moments of my life have occurred on rooftops. Meeting Alzona, running to the Ire with Crystal, and now leaving the Glacium castle to stop a war.
“Lina, are you sure about this? I know the boy did it. But it seems impossible,” Olandon says, gripping my hand tightly.
I shrug the Soar into a better position. “It’s actually quite fun once you get over thinking you’re going to die,” I say.
Jovan snorts. He stands casually beside me, but without the veil on I can see the small giveaways which tell me he’s worried.
“Worried?” I ask. I expect him to shoot a retort at me like he usually does, but he just stares at me blankly, not answering.
I shoot a look at Jimmy. “Ready?” He just laughs and glides from the roof.
Jovan finally cracks.
“Fuck that. You’re not going,” he shouts.
I leap off the side, evading his clutches and hear two yells behind me as I dip out of sight. I feel the familiar lurch in my stomach as I pop the wings to fling upward. I rise to reach Jimmy, and look behind me at the two gaping figures on the roof.
I raise one hand up and wave. The slighter figure, Olandon, raises a hand in return. The other just watches, arms folded. I might be in trouble when I get back.
I turn to Jimmy. “Race ya?” I ask. The sooner we get to the Ire, the sooner I can stop the Tatum’s Army.
“You’re on!” he shouts.