Dyna watched him slip into the trees without looking back. “I know there are risks and dangers out here, but he was telling us the truth. He only wants to return to his … family.” Her voice pitched on the word.
Zev reached out to her, but she moved away from him. “While Lord Norrlen was forthcoming, we know nothing about him. Cassiel is right to oppose it.”
“Of course, I’m right.”
She glared at him.
He scowled back. “This is for your own good.”
“I’m not a child, Cassiel. You’ll not decide what is for my own good.”
Dyna pivoted on her heel and headed for the brook, ignoring their calls to return. She understood their concerns, but she merely wished to help Lord Norrlen while he still had the chance to see his family again.
She lost her own, and no matter what she did, she could never have them back.
Chapter 27
Cassiel
The road to Corron was long and uneventful, if not fairly awkward. Cassiel trailed behind Zev and Dyna, straining to hear their whispered argument. Anything they said was made indistinguishable by the crunch of gravel beneath their boots. Their pace quickened whenever he neared, quieting whatever they were discussing. They had no interest in speaking to him today.
He glowered at the evening sky, wondering if it had to do with yesterday. Dyna had not spoken to him since then. How could she not see they couldn’t trust the elf?
She must be angry with him, though. Cassiel had to admit he was too harsh. The hurt look on her face wouldn’t leave him. She wouldn’t even look his way now. The day had dragged without her excited chatter that he unknowingly became used to.
“It’s time to make camp,” Zev announced.
He led them off the road and into the forest for half a mile until they found a small clearing. They dropped their rucksacks. While the others made camp, Cassiel worked on gathering brushwood for kindling. He took out a flint rock and a small rod of steel from his pocket and beat them over the sticks. The sparks quickly caught fire.
Dyna set out a handful of vegetables and herbs for soup. Cassiel hesitated before taking a potato and quickly peeling it for her. She muttered a faint thank you. He supposed that was a good sign and helped her with the rest. But the tension didn’t go away.
They remained in uncomfortable silence as they waited for their meal to cook. It continued while they ate. As the sun lowered, and the wind grew colder so did the mood.
At one point, Zev glanced at the darkening sky and stood. Dyna tugged on his arm, arguing again in hushed whispers.
Cassiel crossed his arms and leaned on the large boulder at his back. He had enough. “What is it? If you have a quarrel with me, out with it then.”
They both stopped to look at him over the campfire. Zev wore a guarded expression while Dyna wouldn’t meet his gaze.
“This has nothing to do with you,” Zev said.
“I disagree.” They were hiding something, and Cassiel sensed it was dire.
“I don’t have time to explain.”
“Maketime.”
Dyna sighed. “We said we would work to trust one another. This is one of those moments, Zev.”
She riffled through his rucksack and pulled out a long set of thick, coarse chains. They clinked as they piled on the ground at her feet, two manacles hanging off one end. Cassiel stared at them, feeling like an idiot for not questioning what had been causing that racket in Zev’s pack.
His mind raced with the history of his people chained and caged. He was far away from either Celestial Realm, and no one knew where he was. He warily rose to his feet, reaching for the hilt of his sword. “What are the chains for?”
Zev took in a deep breath and looked him in the eye. “I have two forms. The wolf and the Other.”
Cassiel knew as much. What did that have to do with the chains? Zev looked up at the sky again, and he made the connection then. Tonight, there was a full moon.
He straightened from his defense, relieved but also alarmed. “You will chain yourself.”
