“Lenni gave it to me,” she replied, stroking the figurine as its wings began to flutter. “She said if someone was in danger or captured”—a quick glance at Brela—“that she and Oni would come help.”
Help kill Brela if they couldn’t get her out, is what Farrah didn’t say.
Brela shot to her feet and gripped Farrah’s cheeks between her hands. “Farrah, you beautiful genius.” She kissed her deeply. “This is going to work.”
The woman beamed, cheeks flushed as Elias pressed a kiss to her temple, his own grin uncontainable.
Brela spun and began pacing as she thought out loud. “We’d need clothing… they’d warn… but where would be safe…”
She stilled as the plan fell in place.
“What are you—“
Brela shut Cason up as she wrapped her hand over his mouth.
“Brela—“
Her other hand covered Serill’s mouth. Elias and Farrah were wise enough to keep quiet.
“You three can meet Oni and Lenni in Qord,” Brela said, looking between the prince and her friends. “It’s as safe as we can get for the sand sprites outside the desert. Serill can write to his father and Oni will make sure it gets delivered. Cason and I will meet you there in a few days.”
Elias frowned. “You still want to go into the middle of an Anfroy military camp?Alone?”
Not reallyalone, she knew. That’s not what Elias meant.
She squared her shoulders. “I have to.”
Cason tugged her hand away from his mouth. “We’ll blend in better than you three.” He squeezed her fingers. “Besides, she’s not alone. And I’m trusting you two to look after the prince.”
Emerald eyes narrowed on Brela as Elias signed.There’s too much hellthorn. How are you going to handle that?
Both Serill and Cason glanced at her, brows raised in question.
“Then it’s settled,” Brela declared, ruffling Serill’s hair as she ignored Elias’s pointed look. “Cason and I go north. You three warn Oni and the king, and stay hidden in Qord until we get there.”
“And if something happens to you?” Farrah asked, her tone sharp.
Brela glanced at Cason. That was going to be one hells of a conversation to have later. She shook her head. “If we aren’t to Qord in six days, get the hells out of Valisea and don’t come back.”
42
Goodbyes and Promises
“I’m surprised Valkip didn’t set your bedroll on fire last night,” Lyle teased from atop his horse.
Brela grumbled under her breath. Gods, it was too early for this shit.
Last night, after Farrah had sent her crystal songbird with a message to Oni, Brela had spent the next thirty minutes curled between her friends. There were no words left—none that would change what they had to do—so they sat in silence and held each other tight until they could no longer stay awake.
Then, Farrah ducked into Serill’s tent, Elias went to his own, and Brela slept next to Cason to maintain their cover. It was the first time they wouldn’t sleep next to each other before splitting up for a mission, and it only made the itch grow worse under her skin.
Brela gave him a wry smile. “I think we did a delightful job of setting it on fire. Would you like some tips on how to satisfy a woman in bed?”
He snorted through his nose. “I should have seen it. The similarities between you and Era. He only picked you because you don’t have magic to resent his strength.”
“Is there a reason you care so much about my relationship with Valkip?” she asked, rolling her eyes.
“He’ll grow tired of you eventually. That is, if you don’t see his full might beforehand.”
