“Raef and I.”
“What? You already planned this since we left the library earlier?” I can’t help the slight betrayal and hurt that I’m certain show on my face.
“We didn’t exactly plan it all out, but yes, we already decided.”
“And what about me?”
“Elysande—”
“No. We’re in this together. I’m coming with you,” I demand, my nostrils flaring.
“It’s dangerous,” he says with a stern look.
“I don’t care. I’m still coming.”
“Okay.”
“…Okay?”
His lip tugs up at the corner. “You’re cute when you’re fiery.”
I squint at him, throwing my hands in the air. “Are you joking?”
“What?” he asks, sitting back and folding his arms, appearing far too entertained.
“You just told me you’re basically excluding me from the group, then you give in far too easily, and then you tell me I’m being cute. Why are you so hot and cold?”
He leans forward again, his grin falling. “Look, we weren’t trying to exclude you, okay? I promise. I said I trust you, and I meant it. But this could be very dangerous. You know what happened in the forest…” He looks me up and down, slowly, and his voice softens. “You’re not trained for this.”
“I don’t care. I’m coming. And please don’t make any more plans without me around, okay?”
“You mean like what we’re doing to Raef right now?”
“Listen, I can handle the rumors that come with bringing one of you in here. I don’t know about both of you…”
A puff of air escapes his nose. It’s almost a laugh.
I roll my eyes. “And anyway, that’s different. You and Raef will pass everything along to each other. Whereas you two making plans without me feels like you’re going behind my back.
“I’m sorry,” he says, holding my gaze. “I was only thinking of your safety.”
“Okay,” I say softly. I believe him, but I’m still annoyed by it. “Now for my next question. What do we do about Gaethri? It’s his homeland… he might have valuable insight. I think we should get him to come along too… if he’ll agree.”
Daegan nods, staring off at nothing. “I was thinking the same.”
“Really?”
“Yes. And he and Rhydra seem like a package deal, so I would expect her too.”
“But what do we tell them?”
A thick coating of silence falls over the room as we both ponder this. Then Daegan releases a deep sigh, his hand sliding down his thigh to his knee, and glances at me.
“We could tell them the truth.”
My mouth hangs open as I stare at him. I didn’t expect that.
“Maethrel said to trust two travelers. I think… these opportunities keep appearing before us because some greater force set us on this path and wants us to keep going. Be it fates or gods or whatever it is you elves believe in.”
