Frozen Tides (Falling Kingdoms 4)

Jonas now stared at her with undiluted shock. “And you chose to wait until now to tell me that?”

“I told you, it wasn’t my job to explain. Only to—”

“Yeah, only to protect me. Got it. You’ve done a stellar job, by the way.” He rubbed his eyes. “Tell me, Olivia, why would you need to protect me?”

“Because Timotheus told me to.”

“I’ve no idea who Timotheus is. And yet, Kyan mentioned him too.”

“He is my elder. My leader.”

“Another Watcher.”

“Yes. He has visions of the future. One of those visions included you. Somehow, in some way, you’re important, Jonas. Phaedra knew it too. That’s why she watched over you. That’s why she sacrificed her life to save yours.”

“What role could I have possibly played in this Timotheus’s vision? I’m a poor vineyard worker from Paelsia, a failed rebel leader. I’m nobody.”

“That’s exactly what I told him,” she said, nodding. “That you’re a complete nobody. But still he insisted.”

He gaped at her. She presented her insulting words as simple facts, without a sliver of belligerence.

o;So this is Kraeshia,” Nic said, staring out at the glimmering city before him.

“I hope so,” Jonas replied. “If not, we took a wrong turn somewhere.”

“See? There’s that cheeky rebel I like.”

“You like me? That’s news to me, Cassian.”

“You’re growing on me. Slowly. Like a fungus.”

Jonas managed a grin. “The feeling’s mutual.”

Magnus had returned a message to the Kraeshian rebels with their original raven, ordering them to meet Jonas and Nic upon their arrival.

“I don’t see Felix,” Jonas said under his breath as he surveyed their surroundings. “I thought he might be here.”

There was one person waiting at the end of the docks, standing still next to a sparkling white beach. They walked toward the tall young man with dark skin and pale brown eyes, who nodded at their approach.

“Jonas Agallon?” he asked.

“That’s right.”

“My name is Mikah Kasro. Welcome to Kraeshia.”

Jonas introduced Nic, then asked, “Where’s Felix?”

“Come with me and I’ll explain everything,” Mikah said, scanning the docks. “Too many curious eyes out here.”

“I’m not going anywhere until you tell me where Felix is. And then I want to know where King Gaius is.”

“What’s your business with the king?”

“That’s none of your concern.”

“Everything that happens in Kraeshia is my concern. But I suppose the king’s whereabouts don’t matter much to you now. King Gaius and his new bride left for Mytica several days ago.”

Jonas stared at him. “What did you just say?”