“If we travel by carriage on the morrow, we could arrive in Kelpway by the evening,” Rawn said.
They had leased a carriage before, and it helped to cut down their travel time. Lucenna wished they had a more convenient way of travel the majority of the time.
Once they finished their morning meal, they packed up their belongings and set on their way. Lucenna walked behind Rawn and Zev, glancing every so often at the forest. Where did that mercenary go?
Dyna cantered beside her, riding Fair. Things had been strained between them lately. Lucenna didn’t know how to talk to her anymore, but she didn’t like this distance between them.
“Dyna,” she started hesitantly. “I’m sorry if I am overbearing sometimes. I’m only worried about you.”
Dyna glanced at her for a moment, then at the road again. “I’m sorry for my manner lately, too,” she muttered. “I think … I secretly resent you for having your magic, while mine is once again locked away. That isn’t your doing. I don’t blame you. I am simply … envious.”
Lucenna’s frown softened. “I should have known that was how you were feeling.” She took Fair’s reins, bringing her to a stop. “But this plan, is it because you want revenge against Tarn, or because you have something to prove … to Cassiel?”
Dyna glared at her. “And why are you so distrustful of Klyde?” she demanded, immediately defensive. “Is it because you’re embarrassed that he wooed you with his charm or because he made you question your feelings for Everest?”
Electricity crackled around Lucenna, and she smiled tightly. “I know you are not in your right mind right now, so I will let that pass. This once.”
Dyna slid off Fair’s saddle. She strode past her, moving ahead on the road.
“Brat,” Lucenna groused under her breath.
Fair snorted disapprovingly.
“She is.” Lucenna threw out her hands in exasperation.
The horse lowered his ears and pushed his head against Lucenna’s back, nudging her forward.
“You wantmeto apologize? She started it.” Fair swatted her with his tail, and Lucenna sighed. “What am I to do with her, hmm? I can’t reach her anymore. She’s too hurt. Too angry. She’s changed.”
And it reminded Lucenna of herself.
She had also been in a dark place when her mother died. Heartbreak sometimes made others hurt others, because they were hurt themselves.
Fair nuzzled her cheek.
“Go on.” Lucenna shooed him away playfully. “You’re the only one she likes right now.”
With a soft whinny, Fair’s hooves beat on the path as he trotted ahead. When he reached her, Dyna patted his muzzle and mounted the saddle again to catch up with Rawn and Zev waiting for them at the top of the knoll.
With how unpredictable Dyna’s emotions were, maybe it was a good thing she didn’t have access to her magic.
Lucenna snapped out of her thoughts at the sudden rustle in the bushes on her left. Purple Essence crackled in her hands, but it was only Klyde. “What were you doing lurking in the woods?”
“Bounty hunters tend to stake out the roads to catch any potential targets before they can reach the city. I went to make sure we wouldn’t be ambushed.”
Lucenna’s eyes widened, surprised she had not thought of that. “Did you find anyone?”
Klyde joined her on the road. “I did.”
He said no more, and the answer was enough. She swept her gaze over him, finding nothing out of place but a singular drop of blood on the cuff of his coat.
How many hunters did he … eliminate? Why not mention it to them before?
“Did they deserve it?” she asked next.
A look crossed his face that reminded her of the day she went into his parents’ chambers.
“Good,” she murmured as they continued. “I hope this won’t be a problem for us later.”
