Ava paused. “Oh. No, he doesn’t. His sword is being sharpened at the blacksmith.”
“Then this theory will not work. The daemons will have weapons.” Maeryn walked toward Raine. “Let’s go, Your Highness. We must test this trap with more accuracy.”
“Now?” Ava asked reluctantly.
“Now,” Maeryn barked.
Ava glanced at Quinn who was trying not to laugh. “She’s scary,” Ava whispered.
“You’re not as quiet as you think you are. Come, help me free the captain before he does his foolish things.”
“I’m going to dinner,” Quinn said, disappearing before Ava had a chance to respond.
With a deep breath, she followed Maeryn, stopping in front of Raine’s botanical prison.
“Hello? Is anyone there?” Raine said. “It’s quite hot in here.”
Maeryn tried to hide her smile. “Release him and we will try again.”
Ava raised her hand and pulled back the vines, then opened the petals. Raine wiped the sweat from his brow with the back of his arm.
“You’re cruel,” he said to Ava, then noticed Maeryn. “Well, hello.”
“Captain.” Maeryn nodded.
“You can call me Raine.”
Maeryn ignored his statement. “Retrieve your sword and return.”
“I’m actually quite hungry. I was about to?—”
“We finish the trap first,” Maeryn said.
“Got it, boss.” He winked at her, then disappeared into camp in search of his sword.
“He is silly sometimes, I think,” Maeryn said.
“He’s like that most of the time. But he’s a loyal friend and cares deeply about all of us.”
“Yes, I can tell that too.”
Ava scrutinized her. Did she have similar inklings as Raine? Did she feel any kind of pull toward him? It was obvious that his antics amused her, but Ava couldn’t determine anything else through her observations.
Minutes later, Raine returned, weapon in hand. “Are you trapping me again?”
“Yes,” Maeryn replied for Ava.
“Alright, I’m ready.”
“Can you make it close on him faster?” Maeryn asked. “Like if you would surprise a daemon?”
“I’ll try.”
Ava took a deep breath, focused her magic, and grew the flower quicker than before. Remembering to fortify the walls, the petals thickened, and she clamped her hand shut, quickly wrapping the bloom in vines.
In a few seconds, Raine cut through and emerged.
“Dammit,” Ava said.
