She recognized the Maila construct closest to her – Waves. “You get everyone else. I’ll handle the shamblers.”

Attacking at night would hurt them in some ways. The shamblers were clumsy enough as it was, and couldn’t see well in the dark. They’d lose some up the switchbacks. But most of the war constructs could see at night. She’d have to use this to her advantage.

She thought of Coral and the sea serpent, waiting in the woods. As if sensing her thoughts, the gull construct landed on the grass next to her. “Is it time? Shall I fetch them?”

“No,” Nisong said. There was the chance that Lin’s construct hadn’t done much damage yet. They might still be able to conquer Gaelung without the sea serpent. Without Coral.

“Not yet.”

42

Jovis

Gaelung Island

When the rain began to fall in earnest, all I could think was that I deserved it. Even in my oilskin cloak, it managed to seep into the crevices of my clothing, making me feel as though I were swimming on dry land. The things Lin had said about me were all true. She was right to send me away, and the rain was just yet another signal that I, Jovis of Anau, was Emperor of Fools. It was a more fitting title for me than Captain of the Imperial Guard.

My mother would be disappointed.

I could find a drinking hall to hole up in for a while, maybe even rest with some hot tea or mulled wine. I’d earned it, hadn’t I? I’d broken with the Ioph Carn, failed the Shardless Few and betrayed someone I’d thought could become a friend.

Who was I fooling? I wanted more than just friendship with her. She was not Emahla. She was too sharp, too lonely, too clever. But when we weren’t fighting, there was a part of me that felt she understood me. That I could sit in the quiet with her and not feel alone. Every bone in my body screamed the farther away from the palace I walked. Every bone told me to go back, to beg forgiveness again, to dare her to execute me.

But those were the notions of a young man, a romantic one, one who’d not already loved and lost a wife.

Endless Sea, I was tired. Lying for months on end could do that to a man, I supposed.

Mephi trotted next to me, not minding the downpour. Yeshan’s army had just finished passing us on their way to the palace, row after row of soldiers, their expressions anxious. We’d waited on the side of the road for them to pass.