“Agreed,” Dex said, nodding. “So...it seems like Cyprian was telling the truth when he died. That Valen was a monster. That he feared for his life when he was around him, and even more so, the possibility of Nor and Valen getting together and combining their abilities.”

“Then the general was right about one thing, at least,” Andi said.

“He is not the general anymore,” Alfie answered suddenly, his voice sounding so matter-of-fact from Dex’s wrist, like a child insisting they were capable of eating their dessert before dinner. “The General of Arcardius is—”

“I think that’s enough out of Alfie for now,” Dex said quickly, turning off the watch in one swift motion. The silver band went dark.

“What the hell?” Andi glanced at him, suspicion creeping up her spine. But Dex only stared straight ahead, his teeth still worrying at his bottom lip—as if he had something to hide.

“I could use some quiet time,” he explained at last. “Enough has happened to us already, and a hell of a lot more is soon to come. We’ll be in Craatia in a few hours—why don’t you take some time to rest?”

“What are you, my mother?” Andi asked blankly.

Dex quirked a dark brow. “I hope to the Godstars that I’m not.” He swallowed and repositioned his hands on the wheel. “I just think you deserve a rest, Andi. After everything. That’s all.”

He was right. They’d had enough talking, enough contemplating the new world around them. Still, Andi watched him a moment longer, eyeing his tense jaw and tired eyes. She knew him well enough that she could tell he was hiding something, though she had no idea what it could be. Either way, it was clear he wasn’t ready to talk about whatever it was.

Right now, getting to the Underground headquarters was of the utmost importance, and they needed to be alert when they got inside, for they had no idea what awaited them there. Once they made it through, if they determined the Underground was completely free of Nor’s power...they’d use Alfie’s knowledge to negotiate the help they needed to rescue Andi’s crew.

So Andi sat back and closed her eyes, Dex a silent presence beside her as they soared over the icy tundra toward Craatia.

A storm began during the second half of their journey.

If it weren’t for the radar equipment on the transport, Andi doubted they would have been able to navigate their way through the snow and sleet. The wind on Solera was a beast in its own right as well, kicking up the snow beneath them until everything was a sheet of white.

“We should be getting close,” Dex said. “Radar shows that it’s just ahead.”