Renegades (Hotbloods #3)

As a tense silence stretched between them, my mind raced. Our options were narrowing by the second, but there was still hope; it was just a case of figuring out which option would cause the least destruction. If we told Brisha about the advanced ships, then we would regain her favor, but there was a risk in that. We could lie and tell her they were super powerful in their weaponry only, just as we had planned to, but there was no way we could ensure she didn’t capture one of them to study for herself. If she did get hold of one, and discovered that they were powerful in terms of speed, instead of weaponry, then that put us back at the beginning, with the possibility of both queens finding Earth opening up once more.

Then again, I figured it was better to give Brisha a reason to attack Gianne, destroying lots of the ships in the process. Not only Gianne’s ships, but Brisha’s too, reducing the forces on either side. Besides, if either sister learned about Earth and traveled toward it, they would be hit with competition from all sides. The rebels’ growing forces would annihilate anyone who made it there, especially if the approaching party had a reduced number of ships. At least, I hoped.

It was definitely a gamble to put my faith in the queens weakening each other before they even got to finding Earth, but it was one I was willing to take. Plus, I was pretty sure Brisha had spies working in the South. If she didn’t find out from Navan and me, she would likely find out one way or another. We might as well use the intel to our advantage while we still could.

“The reason we were absent, Your Highness, is because we came across something interesting—some information you might want to know,” I said boldly, finding my voice. “In return, we would ask that you reconsider your punishment. By the time we had discovered this information, the troop had left. We were forced to return by ourselves.”

Brisha frowned. “Information, you say?”

I nodded. “Please, promise you will reconsider our punishment, and I’ll tell you what we know.”

“Very well, go on,” she prompted, her tone softening.

Taking a deep breath, I leveled my gaze at the queen. “Your sister is building a new fleet of ships, which is nearing completion. Each one is a weapon, in the true sense of the word. They are fitted with advanced technology, to gain advantage in battle. Navan recognized some of the mechanics. These are machines of war and death, Your Highness, and your sister intends to use them. They are in the underground hangar just outside Regium.”

A small smile crept onto Brisha’s lips. “A new fleet? This is excellent information, indeed, if true,” she purred. “But… how did you come across them?” There was a hint of suspicion in her voice.

“It’s where they do all of their fleet-building, Your Highness, though the location is supposed to be secret,” Navan explained. “I know of it through my father, and remembered seeing them building something impressive the last time I was there. I suggested to Riley that we scope it out, as I knew a side entrance where we wouldn't be spotted.”

I looked to him, hoping he wasn’t giving too much away. “Yes, Your Highness. I thought it might be good to bring you something useful back,” I added, knowing how lame it sounded. I felt like the teacher’s pet.

“I have a military mind, Your Highness. After the attack on the lab, I knew Gianne would be up to something. As it happens, I was right,” Navan cut in, covering my statement.

Queen Brisha’s features softened, her eyebrow lowering. “In that case, perhaps I was too hasty when it came to your punishments. In return for this, I shall grant you amnesty for your previous actions, as I believe they were done with my cause in mind. If we arrive at this hangar and there are no ships, however… Well, we shall cross that bridge if we come to it.” She gave us a warning look. “As you have knowledge of these mechanics, Idrax,” she continued, “I will send you with more soldiers to scope out the technology and return your findings to me. We must ensure my sister never gets a single one off the ground.”

I swallowed. Those were the words I had been dreading to hear.

“If it is not too much to ask, Your Highness, might we rest and refresh ourselves first?” Navan asked, his tone bleak.

“Of course.” She smiled coldly. “Guards, remove these chains and let these two return to their quarters. We shall send a squadron out the day after tomorrow. Perhaps we shall make a second attempt at getting you to blow something up,” she added, with a sly wink at Navan.

As the guards removed our shackles, I cast Navan a nervous glance.

We were back in Brisha’s good graces, but at what cost?





Chapter Twenty-Five





On the way back to our chambers, we made a detour, stopping at Angie and Lauren’s apartment. I was eager to tell them we’d returned safely.

I knocked on the door, listening for the sound of feet shuffling in the room beyond. A moment later the door was wrenched open, and Angie’s face stared out into the hallway. She jumped on me as soon as she saw me, wrapping her arms around my waist.

“Don’t you dare go running off like that again, without saying a word! Bashrik told us what happened. We’ve been worried sick!” she exclaimed.

“I’m so sorry for worrying you. I wanted to come and tell you, but I ran out of time,” I sighed, squeezing my friend tight.

Lauren appeared in the doorway, a wave of relief washing over her face. “Riley! You’re back! Thank God you’re safe. When Bashrik said you’d gone to the South on a mission, we didn’t know if we’d ever see you again,” she gasped, joining the huddle.

Navan moved past me into the apartment, where Bashrik was pacing across the far side of the room, running an anxious hand through his dark hair. His expression calmed as he saw Navan, a wave of relief rippling across his face. The poor guy looked frazzled, like he hadn’t sat down or allowed himself to relax the whole time we’d been away. Without a word, the brothers hugged each other. It was a sweet moment, but my attention immediately returned to my friends.

“What the hell happened?” Lauren asked, releasing me, her brow furrowed with worry.

“It’s a bit of a long story. Let’s go inside, and I’ll explain everything,” I suggested.

We ventured into the warmth and sat around the fireplace on the sofas and armchairs that were scattered around. It felt almost like the first day everyone had been together in Northern Vysanthe, though the tension in the air was thicker.

I told the tale of where we’d been and what we’d been up to. I told them all about Seraphina, and the role she’d played in the evacuation of the Observatory. Even now, I struggled to tell Navan what she’d asked. It wasn’t that I didn’t trust him, or believed him to be incapable of making the right decision. If anything, it was the opposite. I knew he would do everything in his power to protect my heart, but I couldn’t bear the thought of Seraphina enduring a life with that wrinkled, ancient old man, in exchange. No, I would have to tell him about it very soon, but I had to fully process my own thoughts and feelings on the whole matter first… as well as gather the courage. Because he had to return to the South, even if only for a fake marriage. There was no alternative, not if that alternative meant the suffering of someone to whom I owed my life. After all, if Seraphina hadn’t arranged for Lazar to take Orion’s deadly chip out of my neck, who knew if I would be standing here now. Besides, I liked her as a person. She was a friend.