Lane's POV
After Kian and his army left, only the sound of the wind remained across the wasteland.
I looked at Ethan.
"If you want to save Maris, just take your trusted men up the mountain."
I said that to save some of their dignity.
If the Valkirks were planning to pay back the shame their crown prince suffered, whatever was waiting up there was going to be stomach-turning.
But Ethan stared at the ridge, his throat bobbing as he swallowed hard.
"I'm worried the Valkirks left an ambush up there. Lane, can you bring your soldiers and come with me?"
"You sure?"
"I'm sure."
Ethan nodded.
"You can't fully trust what Kian said. If you come with me, we can ask Maris together. If she admits it in front of you, then..."
His face darkened. He couldn't even finish the sentence.
If Ma
