Her brother nodded. “It’s best if you leave the country quickly.”
“I will.”
Lucien got to his feet as he slipped on his blue robes. “You’re doing well, though?”
“Yes.”
“And how is Dyna?”
Lucenna sighed and pressed on the growing tension pinching her forehead. She had been doing that a lot lately. Her worry for Dyna weighed on her mind. She was different now. Naturally. Zev said to give her time, but Dyna only seemed to worsen. She was more irritable. Quieter. And she didn’t seem to be sleeping. Sometimes Lucenna heard her at night, muttering to herself.
“As well as she can be.”
Lucien looked at her knowingly, having been jilted himself. It wasn’t Lucenna’s place to tell her brother everything that had transpired between them. All she could share was that Cassiel had left, and it had been hard on Dyna.
“The captain will be joining you, then?”
She was grateful for the change in subject, but not for the topic. “Unfortunately,” Lucenna grumbled as she slammed grimoires into her bag next.
She, of course, did her best to convince them otherwise, but Dyna was set on letting Klyde join them. Lucenna suggested stealing the Skelling dagger, but the others had warmed up to him. Apparently, Dyna thought he could be useful.
“Is he so terrible?” her brother asked.
A knock came at her open door, and she scowled at the man in question. “Beyond reprehensible.”
Klyde’s blue eyes danced in the low light, and he leaned against her door frame, crossing his arms. A half smile played on his lips, making those damn dimples appear.
“Did something happen between you two?” Lucien asked.
Lucenna flushed and ground her jaw. “Nothing worth mentioning.” But Klyde didn’t leave, so she hissed at him quietly, “What? I don’t have time to waste on you today. I’m busy.”
“I see that.” His smile widened at her glare. Lucenna hated that it made her stomach knot.
“Well, I would like to meet him before you leave,” Lucien continued.
Klyde swept into her room before she could answer. “I suppose now would be a perfect time to introduce myself,” he said, approaching the orb. “Hello, there. I’m Klyde Morken, Captain of the Skelling Mercenaries.”
“Oh … hello,” her brother replied, blinking at him in surprise. “I am Lucien Astron, Lucenna’s brother.”
She rushed to him, hissing under her breath. “What are you doing?”
“A pleasure.” Klyde took a seat at her desk, ignoring her. His serious expression was perfectly composed. “I have been meaning to speak to you for some time now, Lucien.”
“Have you?”
“Lucenna has made me aware of the situation in the Magos Empire. I am sorry to hear of the prejudices your people are suffering through. There is not much that I can do about that; however, I would like to offer you aid by way of sanctuary.”
Lucien’s eyes widened. Speechless, Lucenna stared at Klyde, too.
After their near kiss during the party, they hadn’t broached the subject again. She had forgotten about it, assuming the offer had been part of his ploy to seduce her.
“Well, that is a generous proposal, though very unexpected. My sister has made no mention of this to me,” Lucien said, looking at her questioningly.
“We had discussed it in passing…” Lucenna said distractedly. “I didn’t think he meant it…”
Klyde met her eyes. “I do not give my word lightly, lass. I will never say something I don’t mean.” There seemed to be a second meaning in there only for her. He faced her brother again. “My town is well secluded on Troll Bridge with a stone wall over sixty feet high, and it’s been spelled to cloak magic, thanks to your sister. We have plenty of space to take in refugees. Now that winter is at an end, ships can make their way to Skelling Rise through the Saxe Sea. Your people will be safe here.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
