I teased the little reptile, saying how sweet it was that he was trying to look like Dae. He huffed, and a puff of indignant smoke flew from his nostrils. Dae chuckled.
I carved this moment into my memory. To hold onto until the end.
65
Ro
The sun descended behind the mountains, and we hadn’t stopped. Time wasn’t on our side. With what I’d overheard The Eleven discuss in their tent, I’d intentionally communicated with Kasia in secret.
Melody stumbled up ahead. Tio’s arms hadn’t left her waist the entire trip. He called over his shoulder, “Hey, we need a break.”
She protested, but Tio refused to listen. Pride made my heart swell, watching him dote on a woman he loved. He had such a big heart, always had, and he deserved someone to share it with. Watching them together, how her eyes sparkled when she looked at him, I didn’t doubt they were a perfect match.
We navigated between the long string of boulders that decorated the base of the mountain. They provided division and protection from the forest as we moved south. Dae fell back from mingling with the couple, pressing a kiss to my temple before shifting and letting me know he’d scan the perimeter. Extraprecaution so we could rest easy. We’d been on the move for hours non-stop, and a break was sorely needed.
Tio helped Melody find a flat ledge of natural rock before she sat down. Then he joined her side, tossed his head back, extended his legs and groaned loudly. It was so dramatic that we all cracked smiles, but I also knew him well enough to know it was an act to assure Melody taking a break was best for all of us and she wasn’t hindering our progress. Kasia and I approached, finding suitable seats among the rubble. My feet throbbed like a punching bag taking hits, and my joints ached nearly the same. Maybe Tio’s groan had been appropriate.
“I’m getting too old for this,” I mumbled, stretching my neck. “Twenty-four isn’t what it used to be.”
“You're telling me. Good thing you’ll have a nice little house husband to tend to you later,” Tio said with a disgustingly mischievous grin.
I picked up a rock and chucked it at him, thankful Dae was currently skulking the forest for any signs of Order members on our tail.
He laughed and feigned injury, but then his demeanor settled. “I like him, though. He told me you shot him in the leg, and yet here he was, carrying your passed out friend through the woods.”
I’d wondered what Tio, Dae, and Melody had discussed while I’d held back with Kasia. Hiding my smile was useless. I fiddled with my fingernails as I said, “I think he’ll fit right in at home. He’s a good fighter. I wouldn’t even be able to wager on who would win a sparring round, him or Rav. Radhak will approve either way.”
Melody stiffened and I caught sight of the straining muscles on her neck as she faced Tio. She slid her hand over his at the same time. “Tio…she doesn’t know.” When he squeezed back, his knuckles turned white, and his eyes widened.
Well, that’s not a good sign. “Know what?”
The way Tio looked when his hollowed gaze met mine made my stomach instantly queasy. “Know. What?” I repeated, though I knew I wouldn’t want the answer.
“Ro. There was an attack on Rahana.”
My brow furrowed, and I stared at him wearily. “What?” I mentally counted and recounted the timeline since I’d departed Windguard’s capital city.
“Windguard soldiers crossed the river and fell upon us. They slaughtered half the camp.” Tio swallowed the emotion building in his throat. Melody’s bottom lip wobbled and her blue eyes gained a new sheen.
A single tear I wasn’t even aware I produced slipped down my cheek. “No, no, I still have time. I’m not due to report for another week.” A few fallen strands of hair danced in my vision.
“Report to who?” Tio questioned, anger rising in his voice. “That bastard king?”
I continued shaking my head involuntarily, disbelief over what I was hearing. “He said I had a month. He wouldn’t hurt them.” My fingers gripped the fabric of my pants.
“He’s a fucking liar,” Tio said through gritted teeth.
“Nicholas and Nora have now stationed Highcrest soldiers at the border along the Splits. Those who remain are safe,” Melody said, her soft voice full of condolence.
I jerked my attention back to Tio. “Those who remain? Rav?” My lungs became leaden, heavy things that sat uselessly in my chest because I couldn’t breathe.
“Rav made it. Saved our asses, actually.”
I slumped against the rock, breathing out a sigh of relief that could shake the leaves in the surrounding forest.
“Radhak…” Tio continued with particular reverence.
It felt like a rod of cold steel rammed down my spine. I stiffened, my gaze as sharp as Tyberius’s claws ripping to searchfor a sign that couldn’t possibly mean what it sounded like. Hurt, he was just going to tell me Radhak was hurt. The man who’d become a solid anchor in my life, replacing the loving father I’d already lost. The man who opened his heart to me, welcomed me into his family, guided me, put trust in me. He was just injured, because that’s all I would accept.
