I made a quiet, wounded sound and stooped down to roll up my pants.
As I straightened, Lexie hesitated. “But when cornered, a minxpip will bite. No matter how big the predator. Even if it’s the last thing it does.” She paused. “Even the smallest flame can set the world on fire.”
I looked at her, startled.
Lexie gave a small shrug. “Funny how something considered that puny can make someone scream.”
A muscular guy with pale blond hair rushed up to join us on Lexie’s other side, his green-eyed gaze sliding across my face.
“I’m here. I’m here,” he said.
Lexie barreled into him, giving him a big hug, followed by a kiss that went on long enough my eyebrows rose.
She pulled back in his embrace and smiled. “Took you long enough. I figured you’d either already arrived or would come later.”
“My dad wanted to bring me himself.” His gaze fell on me, and he nodded. “I’m Derren. Lexie’s other half.”
“And don’t you love to crow about it,” she said with affection.
“Damn right I do.”
We started walking.
My foot caught the hem of my pants again, and I tugged it back up with a flush of irritation.
Lexie shucked her bag off her back, stooping down to pull out a coil of twine she used to bind my clothing at my ankles and wrists. “That’ll keep you from flapping around. You’re not the first person to show up here in borrowed clothes.” Thankfully, her tone came out more understanding than mocking. “Half of those who come here arrive with nothing but the tunics on their backs.”
“Thanks.”
We continued toward the castle.
“If I was you, I’d avoid Trew for a while,” she said, quickly explaining what happened to Derren, who thankfully remained stoic about it and didn’t laugh. “Our king doesn’t forget insults easily.”
“I didn’t mean to insult him,” I said. “I fell.”
“You stabbed him,” Derren pointed out. “In front of new recruits. Can’t blame him if he tries to burn you.”
Chills wracked my frame. What kind of place had I come to? The kind that murdered young women for mistakes. Who kidnapped children from their families.
“He’s marked you now as someone to watch,” Lexie said. “That’s what Derren means.”
Great. Just great. So much for avoiding detection.
As we walked, I tried to process what I’d learned. I’d crossed a wasteland to reach this place, but with the lake and the mountains encircling this enormous, lush valley, it was clear this area was different from what I’d been taught.
I’d accidentally attacked their king, not some rebel leader hiding in a cave.
Magic appeared to be…accepted. Maybe.
And I was supposed to enter some sort of trial.
“I assume recruits are trained for something more than drills,” I said carefully, watching their faces.
Lexie and Derren exchanged a frown.
“What do you mean?” Lexie asked.
“Patrols? Escorts? Surely you send people beyond the border sometimes.” I kept my tone casual, as if it didn’t matter to me one way or another.
