Evie and Zandyr looked at each other, not speaking.
“They’re doing the thing,” I said.
“We are as well,” Ryker replied.
I tilted my head to the side. “Do we look as weird when we do it?”
“No, no,” he teased. “We’re always delightful and completely normal.”
“We have three hours until the army needs to march back,” Zandyr said at last. Then his gaze sharpened. “Why?”
I looked straight at Evie. “Lioran mentioned Silas told him about abandoned libraries–”
She sucked in a breath.
“Thought you might want to have a chat with him yourselves,” I said.
“Oh, I am definitely interested,” Evie said, voice darkening for a moment, before the breeziness took hold of her again. “And I heard great things about Mrs. Thornbrew’s stew.”
“Eat some for me, too,” Dax said. “Double portion.”
Evie raised her brows. “Youare saying no to a celebration?”
“It pains me, too.” He sighed dramatically, then turned serious once more. “But the sooner we find where the poison comes from, the quicker we can get Allie back on that throne. We can’t risk them setting off that mist when we’ll reclaim Aquila.”
No, we could not.
“And if you don’t find it?” Evie asked.
A corner of Dax’s mouth ticked up. “Such little faith, cousin, it wounds me.”
“Dax…has a way of finding things,” I said, not meeting Ryker’s eye.
Which he noticed, of course, already probing for more information through our connection.
“Not my secret to tell,” I said.
He huffed in annoyance. “Is it strange that I’m going to miss his theatrics?”
“He’ll be back and you can indulge in them then,” I said, because if I didn’t cling to the hope that we would all be reunited once more, I might not have let Dax leave.
“Safe travels,” Zandyr said politely.
“I still don’t like you,” Dax said. Then nodded at Ryker, “Him, I can live with.”
“I’m touched,” Ryker said and let go of my hand, stepping in front of Dax. “It’s been…interesting.”
“Guess I’ll see you at your wedding. Or storming Aquila, whichever comes first,” Dax said.
A corner of Ryker’s mouth ticked up. “Your wedding might happen sooner.”
“Please. You have a better chance of sprouting wings yourself than dancing at my blessed union.” Dax grimaced. “Don’t keep in touch. Allie will fill me in on everything.”
“Keep your palaver portal close. You will answer my wife when she tries to contact you.” Ryker smiled, but his voice was all threat. “You won’t make her worry like last time, and we won’t have a problem.”
Dax narrowed his eyes. “I’m going to miss you, too, Ryker.”
His eyes widened at hearing his name and shifted to me.
