He chuckled quietly. “Agreed.”
She crossed her arms, heat radiating in her face. “You will acquire me another orb. Made of the finest quality.”
“Of course. Nothing less than perfect.” Lifting her chin, Klyde made her look up at him, sending tingles down her neck. He tilted his head, holding her gaze. “Come, I’ll carry you on my back as we look for a spot to stay tonight. You’ll get nowhere in this state.”
“That sounds like an excuse to carry me,” she mumbled.
One end of his lips curved, and a dimple appeared. He didn’t deny it. With the way he looked at her, so tender and warm, she hadn’t the will to protest.
Klyde crouched and motioned for her to climb onto his back. Ignoring her blush, Lucenna wrapped her arms around his neck and hooked her legs around his torso. He lifted her with ease. Her mind listed all the reasons she shouldn’t allow this, but his steady stride through the trees and the warmth of his broad back soon had her body relaxing against him. It was absurd how easily he made her defenses drop. Her next inhale was filled with his scent, and it occurred to her why her glamor continued to fail when she was with him.
Because Klyde made her feel safe.
Gods. She needed to get a hold of herself.
Glowering, Lucenna rested her head on his shoulder. “I could have walked, Captain.”
He chuckled, and the husky rumble tickled her ear. “With all the ale you drank, you’d only end up on your bonnie arse, love.” Then he added in a murmur so soft she nearly missed it. “I can’t have you falling if it’s not for me.”
CHAPTER 62
Cassiel
Cassiel’s boots squelched in the mud as he strode over to where Dyna sat by a campfire. Voices swarmed around him, Camsen directing his men to either search for survivors or supplies. The new campsite was set only a couple miles down from where the flood had hit them. It was late into the night when they at last got a hold of Lucenna and Klyde through the water mirror.
Dyna nodded tiredly at the glowing plate on her lap as she said goodbye, and the light faded. She dumped the salted water in the grass.
He sat beside her, handing her a cup of warm vegetable broth. “Here.”
“Thank you…” She blew on it before taking a sip.
“How are they?” Cassiel asked as he wiped down the mirror and put it away in her enchanted satchel.
“Fine, from what I could see. She’s a little bruised, but that’s the worst of it. Klyde gave her something for the pain. The current took them several miles west from here. Her location spell on Tavin puts him on the other side of the ridge, nearly fifteen miles away. I sent Zev to look for him and Von.”
“That’s good news.”
She sighed heavily. “We needed some tonight.”
He and the Valkyrie had pulled many from the water. Dyna had joined Eldred and Raiden in using magic to block most of the current before more lives were lost. And it had taken a toll on her. Cassiel could feel it as well as see it on her pale complexion.
“I told them to reunite with us in the City of Evos at the border of Avandia,” she added. “Camsen said we will respite there before making our way to the capital.”
Cassiel nodded hesitantly before saying, “Once you finish the broth, you should lie down.”
Glowering at him, she downed the rest of it and set down the empty cup. “I will once I have checked on the wounded.”
Cassiel sighed. “Dyna, Eldred can tend to them. Your magic is at its limit. I am worried about you.”
“What you worry about holds no weight right now.” Her voice was quiet, cold. Her eyes burned like a raging fire. She was furious. “What is most important?”
He knew the answer she wanted, but he could only tell her the truth. “You,” Cassiel said. “The answer is always you.”
Her anger wavered, and emotions crossed her face. So swift, he may have imagined them.
“Spare me your concern for my well-being. I will rest once I’m finished.” She walked away toward the camp. “Don’t follow me.”
He halted mid-step and reluctantly watched her walk away from him again.
