“Serath can stay.”
“And … what about the female?”
“She comes with us.”
His eyebrows rise, and he opens his mouth, seems to think better of it, and lets out a breath that’s almost a laugh. “Does she now?”
“You have something to say about it?”
“Several things, actually. None of them useful.” He claps me on the shoulder. “Try to get some rest.” He pauses, and his mouth curves up. “Or don’t. I’m not your mother.”
He walks away, still laughing quietly to himself.
I stand there for a moment, staring east. The threads pull at me, insistent and familiar. My warriors are out there. My people. And I’ve been sitting here for weeks, letting myself get distracted by a human female I should never have touched.
I need to find Serath.
Serath is by the stream, sitting on a rock with her feet in the water. She looks up when I approach, but doesn’t say anything. She’s always been good at reading when I need to speak first.
“You told her who I am.”
“Yes … and no.” She doesn’t need to ask who I’m talking about.
“Why?”
“She asked what Eldráfn meant.” Her head tilts slightly. “I thought it best to lead her toward the Wild Hunt stories that are linked to you, and not the Nightwild Guard. Was it supposed to be a secret?”
I sigh. Trust her to find the heart of the thing.
“She didn’t need to know.”
“She was going to find out eventually. Better it coming from me than Vel.” She rises from her perch, and faces me. “Vel would have enjoyed her fear too much.”
I can’t deny that. “She said that Caelum spoke to her.”
Serath goes still. “What?”
“He spoke to her. Not to me or you or the others. Toher.” Anger coils through my chest.
“That’s what you’re focusing on?” Her voice is gentle. “Does it matterwhohe spoke to, Cairn? It means he’s still in there. That’s what matters.”
She’s right. I know she is.
I shake my head. “Are you well enough to take the lead here? I need to ride east and find the Guard’s warriors that are free.”
In response, she lifts a hand. A gold shimmer dances between her fingers, and water rises from the stream below. It forms into a rain cloud.
Water magic. Serath’s most natural magic affinity.
I eye the swirling little cloud.
“If you’re thinking about drowning me, I’d recommend against it.”
“Would I do that to you, my Eldráfn?”She laughs softly. “In answer to your question, yes I am well enough. And there are soldiers among our camp, who will help protect our people while you’re gone. When will you leave?”
“Dawn. We’ll ride at dawn.”
THIRTY-ONE
