I blinked, trying to regain some measure of control over myself. It wasn’t until his lip quirked into a smirk that I realized how foolish I was being and how he still held that one strand of hair, twisting and twisting it slowly around his finger. I blushed furiously and wrenched away, doing my best to ignore his dark chuckle and what it was doing to my insides.
"Will there be fighting on this alliance-seeking expedition of yours?" I asked with a raised brow, reaching for the sword they'd made me as well. It was a steel infused with something akin to the very darkness itself. The blade was so dark it could hardly be seen at night unless some light glinted off its surface. The hilt was deepest black and engraved with flying Zver and slithering snakes. A reminder of my connection both to my power and to my past. I slid the weapon into its sheath and turned to find Gryfon holding the tent flaps open.
“We should get going,” he said then. “Primawants you up front where you can be seen and we have a lot of practicing to do on the way.”
I nodded, aware that he hadn't quite answered my question. I took a deep breath, glancing back at myself in the mirror once more before striding from the tent to whereZyawaited beyond. The general had already moved on to rouse warriors from the next tent, gathering our party and overseeing any last minute preparations.
“I’m assuming the General’spre-journeypep talk was as chipper as ever,”Zyasaid as we walked through the camp together, trying not to notice all the people pausing in their work to stare at us with misplaced awe. Zya had won her own set of armor after the way she'd defended both Kane and I in the forest during the squadron's attack. They'd crafted her a set of leathers that were a soft brown meant to blend into the sand around her. Apparently, they'd worked tirelessly all night to ensure it would be ready for her use on this journey to the human lands she insisted upon going along with.
“He reminded me of my duty and then told me to put my hair up,” I told her.
Zyascoffed, but I noticed she was smiling.
“Better than I expected,” she mused.
“I imagine I’ll get the worse version once we actually get to Sanctuary,” I replied.
She slowed then, eyingthe head of the column wherePrimaandGryfonwaited, now on horseback and speaking to Rainier and his crew.
“I’ll catch up with you once we’re there," she said, starting to turn away.
My brow wrinkled in confusion and I reached for her, grabbing her hand and holding her steady.
“Where are you going?” I asked.
“They want you at the front, Adrian,” she said, tone serious. “Not me.”
“You’re with me,Zya. Always.”
She hesitated but must have seen the meaning in my eyes because she nodded, tension falling from her shoulders as she smiled at me.
“And the others too,” I added. “Darius, Kane, Roxy, Hugh. Where are they?”
Her smile faltered.
“Hugh is still recovering. Darius and Roxy aren’t coming,” she admitted. “But I’ll get Kane.”
A moment later, I nodded but she'd already walked away. I turned and joinedPrimaandGryfonas one of the general’s warriors led a massive black horse over to me.
“I don’t know how to ride that thing,” I said with a grimace as the man tried to hand me the reins.
“You’ll catch on quickly enough,” Gryfonsaid asPrimagrinned down at me.
“I can walk,” I told him.
“This is faster,”Gryfonargued and then, before I could say anything else, reached down and lifted me by the armor onto the back of the horse.
Primasnorted as I stared at him, lips parted in shock.
“How did you—” I started.
“Amazed by my incredible strength?” he asked with a grin.
Primasnorted again as my eyes narrowed into a dangerous glare. Then I caught sight of movement behind him. A familiar captain making his way across the sand on his own horse to join us at the front. His spy was on his left, striding forward with her prowling Zver at her side. And on his right was Dante, sat atop another horse, the same he'd been brought on. I frowned, gaze whipping to Prima who frowned as well at their approach.
"You didn't tell me he was coming," I hissed.
"He had no intention of remaining in this camp," she informed me. "And why should he? He's a Victor in an encampment created and maintained by the Fallen. He's public enemynumber one. He would be a fool to remain here without our protection."
