“We agreed not to share this with anyone,” Cassiel snapped.
“I didn’t agree to anything,” Dyna said. “Youorderedme not to.”
“For your safety. How can I protect you if you keep making thoughtless decisions?”
“Lucenna needed to know.”
“No, she did not.”
“This was something you should have discussed with us first,” Zev said.
Dyna crossed her arms. “Oh, don’t get me started on things that we should discuss, Zev.” He looked away. “Lucenna’s mission is as important as ours.”
“Did you even stop to think of what could have happened? You are so reckless it is no wonder you need Guardians.” Cassiel rubbed his face roughly and stormed out of the tent.
Dyna went after him, refusing to let him have the last word.
“Because you question my ability to make decisions?” she said at his retreating back.
“No, because I question how naïve you are.” He whirled around, his wings arching. “You are too trusting, Dyna. We hardly know her enough to say you can trust her.”
“Curious. I could say the same about you,” she threw back. “We had only met when I allowed you to join us on our journey. According to you, I should only trust myself. Then that means I shouldn’t trust you either.”
At his cold gaze she scowled back. Cassiel wouldn’t order her around anymore, even if he thought it was for her wellbeing. She made her own choices perfectly well before he came along. Even if they weren’t the right ones, they were hers to make.
Lucenna interrupted the dragging silence by clearing her throat. “So, what is your reason to go to Mount Ida, Lord Norrlen?”
“I am searching for a weapon on behalf of my kingdom, my lady.”
“I’m here to protect Dyna,” Zev answered next.
Cassiel scowled when they looked at him expectantly. “My business is my own.”
Zev winked at Lucenna. “He has yet to tell us.”
She wiggled her fingers. “Well, I could get it out of him with a simple truth spell.”
Cassiel walked away and leaped into the sky. Dyna watched as he flew over the treetops and wondered what his reason to go to Mount Ida could be that he wouldn’t tell them. She had asked him once before, but he refused to answer.
“He escaped,” Zev said.
Lucenna snickered. “I wouldn’t have done it, but I enjoyed his reaction.”
Dyna sighed and rejoined them. Cassiel could be angry with her all he wished. The truth was out now.
She took Lucenna’s hands. “So, you will come with us?”
The sorceress’s smile wavered as she thoughtfully searched her face. “I’ll consider it.”
* * *
Dyna woke with a startled gasp, slow to distinguish the canopy draped over the large bed she lay in. Her clothing stuck to her damp skin, her heart racing from the remnants of a nightmare. She covered her face, holding a cry so she wouldn’t wake the others.
A soft ember of light came from the candle on the bedside table. Lucenna observed her from where she sat at her desk, hunched over the thick tome. “Nightmare?”
Dyna sighed. “I have them on occasion.”
“Yes, I can imagine why.” Lucenna flipped a page of her book and reached for the small iron kettle beside her. Steam billowed from the spout as a dark liquid poured into a ceramic cup.
