“Cal.” He stops short. So do I.
He’s wearing sparse armor, which is a surprise, his hair tied back tightly. He’s wearing a thick boot on his foot, complete with leather greaves, and it all serves to make him look a bit taller, a bit more intimidating.
He sees me looking and blushes. “Tycho is worried we may encounter ambushes on the road.”
My eyes go wide. “On the road?” I say. “You’re leaving?”
He hesitates, then nods. “I was actually coming to seeyou.” He pauses, and a bit of wry humor slips into his voice. “Thank you for saving me the walk.”
I have so many things to say, but so much has changed in the last few months that I can’t think of a single word until I stride forward and give him a hug.
He catches me solidly, and it’s so odd to hug him in armor.
I have to draw back and stare at him again. I remember seeing him during the battle, the clear focus in his eyes when he was drawing back the string of his bow. “You were so brave, Jax.”
“So were you.”
I study the lines of his face, the light in his hazel-green eyes. “I’m leaving, too.”
He nods. “Tycho told me what the queen was going to offer.” He pauses. “I knew you’d accept.”
I shove him in the arm. “Oh, you did not!”
He grins. “I knew Nora would kill you if you didn’t.”
“Well, that’s true enough.” I can’t help it. I reach forward and hug him again. “I don’t know when I’ll see you again.”
“The king said something, in the midst of battle,” Jax says quietly.“He said that fate has already drawn a path past this moment. That we should follow it through.” He pauses. “Let’s follow it through, Callyn.”
I nod and kiss him on the cheek. “Let’s follow it through.”
The door at his back opens, and Lord Tycho steps out. He sees me and smiles, then offers a bow. “Lady Callyn. I am honored to meet the newest lady of the court.”
I was going to give him a shove just like I did to Jax, but those words draw me up short.The newest lady of the court. I press my hands to my cheeks.
His smile widens. “Don’t get too excited. Sinna is an escape artist. You’ll be covered in dust and cobwebs by the end of the first day.”
I smile, hesitate, and decide to throw caution to the wind. I stride forward to give him a hug as well.
If he’s surprised, he doesn’t show it. “Tell Lady Nora that the palace kitchens always have sweetcakes in the morning.”
“I will.” I kiss him on the cheek. “You take care of my best friend.”
“I swear to it, my lady.”
That makes me blush again. Tycho begins to pull away, but I hold tight, then meet his eyes. “I’d ask for one favor,” I say to him.
“Anything,” he says.
“If you’re going to Emberfall, punch Alek right in the face for me.”
His smile turns a bit wicked. “That won’t require a favor at all. It will be my absolute pleasure.”
CHAPTER 66
TYCHO
I’ve spent so long traveling by myself that I forgot how different it is to make the trek to Emberfall with a unit of men and women. With loaded wagons, the going is slower, and there are too many of us for an inn, so we have to make camp at night. I hear the muttered comments about what happened in Briarlock, and I wonder how far gossip will stretch this time. Tensions were already high between both countries, and knowing their king is in Crystal City, the target of an attack, is not endearing anyone in this group to the people of Syhl Shallow.
