Kingdom of Ash

death that marched at their backs.
Aedion fitted his helmet onto his head, the
metal bitingly cold. “None came ten years
ago. But maybe someone will bother this
time.”
Ren gripped his arm, tugging him close.
“There might be nothing left to defend,
Aedion.”
“Send out the call anyway.” He jerked his
chin to the lines they’d passed through. Ilias
was polishing his blades amongst a cluster of
his father’s assassins, his attention pinned on
the enemy ahead. Preparing to make a final
stand on this snowy plain so far from his
warm desert. “You insist I’m still your
general? Then here’s my final order. Call for
aid.”
A muscle feathered in Ren’s jaw. But he
said, “Consider it done.” Then he was gone.
They didn’t bother with good-byes. Their