Frozen Tides (Falling Kingdoms 4)

JONAS

KRAESHIA

Jonas hadn’t had his chance to assassinate the king, but saving his friend from certain death had made his trip to Kraeshia worthwhile.

His extremely short trip.

While part of him wanted to stay and help Mikah and his rebels with their revolution, he knew he had to get back to Mytica. The moment Olivia returned from delivering his message to the prince, they were ready to board the Limerian ship and set sail.

He clasped Mikah’s hand. “Good luck to you.”

“Thank you. I’m going to need it. You too.”

Jonas turned to Nic and Olivia. “Is he here yet?”

“Not yet,” Nic replied.

“We’re not leaving without him.”

“Agreed.” Nic blinked and crossed his arms over his chest. “Exactly how long do you think we should wait?”

Jonas scanned the docks, looking for a sign of Felix, but he hadn’t seen him since last night. Since right after he’d finally told him the truth about Lysandra. He’d wanted to wait until after they’d made safe passage back to Mytica, but Felix was relentless in his inquiries after her. So Jonas gave in, and relayed the tragic story of Lysandra’s murder. Felix had disappeared shortly afterward, mumbling something about needing a drink, something to help him process this news until he passed out.

Jonas would have joined him, but he could tell Felix needed to be alone. Not only to find solace in his grief for Lysandra, but to recover from all the torture and trauma inflicted upon him in the Jewel.

The moment he’d opened the door to Felix’s cell and saw him there, on the floor . . . broken, beaten, covered in blood, smelling like death itself. . . . It was all he could do to stay upright and standing, and help get his friend out of that dungeon.

Finally, Felix appeared on the docks, approaching with a slow, steady gait, and Jonas let out a deep sigh of relief.

“Ready?” Jonas asked him as he drew near.

There were dark circles under Felix’s eyes, and his skin looked drawn and pale. “I’m so ready I’d be happy to swim all the way back just to get away from this rock.” His brow drew together as Jonas clasped his shoulder. “I’m fine, don’t bother worrying about me.”

“I think I’ll worry anyway, just to be safe.”

“Promise me, Agallon, that when we get back, we’re going to find this fire god, and we’re going to tear him into small, smoldering pieces. Got me? He will pay for what he did to her.”

Jonas nodded firmly. “Agreed. Now, let’s get on our way.”

“Wait!” Mikah called out to them just before they stepped aboard the ship. “Jonas, I told Taran to come here this morning to see you off—thought you’d want to meet my second in command before you leave.”

“Ah, yes. Taran. The Auranian who broke my nose,” Felix said, pointing at his face. “Luckily, Olivia took care of that too.”

“I suppose we can wait a few more minutes,” Jonas said. “I’d be honored to meet him.”

A tall young man with bronze-colored hair walked down the dock and came to stand next to Mikah. “Jonas Agallon, this is Taran Ranus.”

Jonas reached out to shake his hand. “Kick some Kraeshian arse for me, would you?”

“Gladly.” Taran raised a brow as Nic tentatively approached them.

“Nicolo Cassian,” Jonas said, now frowning at the way Nic seemed to be gawking at the rebel. “This is Taran—”

“Ranus,” Nic finished. “Your family name is Ranus, isn’t it?”

“How did you know that?”

“You have a brother named Theon.”