Serill flushed a deeper red. “As fun as it was getting back at Lyle, please do not let that information leave this group.”
“Stealing? Fun?” Cason leaned down and whispered in Brela’s ear. “I told you those two together wasn’t any better.”
Brela snorted and playfully elbowed his side. “We’ll see if your tune changes when we’re done with the Anfroy camp and you’re coursing with adrenaline.”
“Because nothing could go wrong,” Cason replied sarcastically.
The brightness in Farrah’s eyes dimmed as she glanced between Brela and Cason. “Boys, do you mind giving us a moment?”
Cason’s brow raised but he and Serill nodded and headed toward the horses, taking the clothes to pack.
Once the men were out of earshot, Farrah shot her an accusatory glance. “You haven’t told him.”
Brela grimaced and held out her hand. “Just tell me you got it and I won’t have to.”
Her friend’s glare could have rivaled Cason’s in that moment, but the water wielder finally relented. She slapped a pouch into Brela’s outstretched fingers. A much too light pouch. Brela frowned and glanced inside.
“Three healing stones,” Farrah grumbled. “All I could pinch without drawing suspicion from the patrol. About the same strength as Serill’s magic, but that’s not enough.”
“It’ll have to work.”
“Bre, these are for quick battlefield mendings, not for where you’re going. You have to tell him about hellthorn. Spin a lie about why it affects you, just… say something.”
Brela hissed through her teeth. “Cason would never agree to let me go if he knew. Besides, he’s too clever. He’d see through it and start asking questions.” She shook her head. “Emergencies only. I can deal with a headache and spread out the magic for an escape. Worst case, I have this.” She tapped the sun-blessed golden coil tied into her braid, hiding her scar.
Farrah tucked a strand of dark brown hair behind her ear. “I know I can’t change your mind, but…” She let out a long sigh before launching forward, wrapping Brela in a hug. “Please be careful.”
Brela crushed her friend to her chest. “Careful is my middle name.”
“No it isn’t,” Farrah mumbled through a small laugh. “It’s Chaos.”
Strong arms wrapped around the women as they lifted off the ground with squeals.
“No group hugs without me,” Elias purred before setting them down. His hand lingered on Brela’s cheek. “You’re not planning on doing something stupid, are you?”
Brela’s smile didn’t meet her eyes. “No more than usual. Listen—”
Elias sighed. “Do not make this into a goodbye.”
“Never,” Brela replied, tugging them both back into a hug so they couldn’t see her face. “Oni will help you get a message to Aelstow. Then… six days. That’s all you get. Promise me you’ll leave after that. Promise me you’ll let me go.”
Farrah blew a reluctant breath out of her nose, voice trembling. “Promise.”
Silence.
“Elias,” Brela mumbled into his chest.
It expanded and fell twice more before she felt the rumble. “Promise.”
Brela nodded as she stepped back and studied her friends. “You have my notebook?” Farrah mouthed her confirmation, clearly fighting tears. “You’ll give it to Cason if he returns without me?”
Elias ground his teeth. “Even if he’s the reason you don’t return?”
“Especiallyif he’s the reason I don’t return,” Brela said, chin lifting. “Keep an eye on Serill after all of this.”
Farrah let out a small sob despite her chuckle. “He’s good for us.”
“He’s good for this world,” Elias whispered.
