Terena looked down at the swords, then up at Sonah. “My sister has made a bargain with you,” she said and turned her gaze to the king. “I will honor it and bring you the serpent’s fangs. I trustyourhonor, Sonah will be safe in my absence.” Then she hardened her expression. “But know she is not without her own resources. She may be young, but she is strong.”
Terena looked over at Sonah, who was smiling at her even as a tear tracked slowly down her cheek.
“I would not do her, or you, the disservice of thinking otherwise,” the king said. “And to honor your sister’s bravery, I will lend you my aid in your endeavor.” He gestured to the commander. “Daris will accompany you on this quest with two of his men.”
“I don’t need?—”
“Your Majesty?—”
Terena scoffed and looked at the commander, who was protesting as she was. She looked back at the king. His mouth was set firmly.
“I don’t need his help,” Terena bit out.
“Nevertheless, you have it.”
Commander Antonius hung his head for a few seconds before he turned his gaze back to her. His eyes burned, his lips pressed so tightly together they were white. “I will serve, Your Majesty,” he said to the king. He shifted back to Terena and added, “We leave tomorrow at dawn.”
Terena,Croak, Gabriol and Rydon arrived at the eastern gate ten minutes late.
As they walked up, horses at their sides, Terena sensed Daris's displeasure, even before she saw the frown on his face.
She didn’t care. When she’d returned from the castle without Sonah, the others were understandably upset. Terena had told them of King Altos’s demand in return for the swords and the bargain Sonah had made with the king. She’d told them, too, she had revealed their relationship, and Terena had lost control, angered into displaying her powers.
“Any other family secrets you told them about?” Croak had grumbled.
Terena knew he was upset about Sonah. And Terena was angry with herself at how quickly the audience with the king had devolved. She had punched Croak a tad too hard on his shoulder. He had stumbled back, a hurt look on his face that had nothing to do with the punch. Rydon had suggested they get some food, which turned into too much wine and ale.
Terena was in a lot of pain from the overindulgence, having only slept for three hours before dragging everyone else out of bed so as not to be late.
Terena shifted her tired eyes to the two men at the commander’s side. She knew Jason, the man she’d fought in the fighting pit and celebrated with at the bar that same night. The other she didn’t know, although she’d seen him as well that night.
Turning back to Daris, she lifted an eyebrow, expecting him to make introductions. Instead, he looked over at the others with her, and his frown deepened.
“You and your friends don’t look well.”
She loosed a sigh, stopping a few feet away from him.
“A little softer, please,” she said and closed her eyes, her own voice barely above a whisper.
Daris shifted on his horse, narrowing his light blue eyes and glared as he leaned over the pommel.
“Are you drunk?”
“No,” she answered, drawing out the word. Not convincing, apparently, by the way his lips curled back.
He didn’t speak for a long while. Terena opened her eyes and looked up at him. He glared at her friends.
Daris turned to Terena. “They cannot come.”
She shook her head, then winced. Sighed.
Loudly.
“We can waste time,” she replied, as patiently as she could muster, “or we can go. We’reallgoing. I’m not leaving my friends behind.”
Rydon move closer to her as she watched Daris decide.
“This ismyquest,” Terena added. “Stay if you want.”
