“I keep waiting for that moment.” I slide my eyes toward the likeness of Silva. “Where I do something truly amazing with my magic, some kind of huge feat that confirms it.”
“Confirms what?” he says softly.
“Confirms that I’m really…a witch.”
He curls his fingers beneath my chin and slides my face to look at his head-on. “You’re more than that. You’re a Blackblood.”
“I’m coming with you.”Zadyn sets his jaw, folding his arms over his chest as I shove a spare change of clothes into the thick gray sack.
“No, Zadyn, it’s going to be dangerous.”
“Exactly why I should be there.”
“I don’t need you to protect me,” I point out mildly. His eyes track me as I cross to the armoire and slip my arms through a tight-fitted leather doublet.
He scoffs, coming to lean against the wood. “That’s literally the job description of a familiar.”
“I can take care of myself, I promise.” I fasten the tiny buttons up the center of the jacket and slide my hands into the leather padded fingerless gloves.
“I don’t doubt that, but?—”
I cut him off, holding up my hand. “Zadyn. I can’t focus if I’m worried about you.”
“There’s no reason to worry about me. I’m a trained fighter. I fought in wars before you were even born. And having a shifter at your disposal can never hurt.”
“I believe you.” I place a steadying hand on his chest. “But I need to do this alone.”
“Alone with Jace,” he specifies mildly. I shake my head.
“It has nothing to do with that. I promise you.” I stare up into those kind, familiar eyes. “Besides, you have an order from the king as emissary, remember?”
He rolls his eyes.
“Meeting the King of Vod at the border and escorting his party to the castle doesn’t even rank on my list of priorities right now. Not when you’re about to risk your life.” He rubs his temple with one hand, closing his eyes momentarily.
“If you truly believe I was born for this, then what’s the risk?” I stare up at him, and he sighs, sliding his hand over mine, resting above his heart.
“YouknowI believe in you.” He shakes his head, his rich caramel hair catching on his dark lashes. I reach up and untangle them.
“I do.”
A knock at my door makes me jump. Jace enters, wearing fighting leathers similar to mine and a low-slung belt of weapons. His eyes slide between us.
“It’s time,” he says.
Nodding, I snatch the bag off my bed. Zadyn catches my arm as I pass and hauls me to his chest. I slam into his solid form, the smell of bergamot and cedar washing over me. My arms wrap around his back and hold tight. He pulls away after a moment and turns me toward the door, toward Jace.
“Look out for her,” Zadyn says, his voice rough.
“With my life.” Jace dips his head and holds the door open for me.
We stepout onto the lawn, the sun high in the sky. Jace turns to face me.
“Remember the plan. If you feel the shadows slipping, we go to one of the checkpoints we discussed. We don’t have to make the walk in one go.”
“Right.” I envision the map Jace showed me yesterday with the circled pinpoints.
He hauls his bag over his head to rest across his chest and holds out his arms to me. I step into them.
