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“I should’ve handled that group myself,” Jarek said. “I’ll get what’s missing after we get back to the lodge.”

“No need to worry yourself, sir. You had your hands full,” Croll said. He craned his head back to gawk at Lilith and the boy, and his mood dropped.

Unhappy about the circumstances—undoubtedly. Changing his mindset completely was doubtful, especially working alongside those associated with the Wraith.

“Don’t stare,” Jarek said.

Croll’s frown didn’t falter. “I am humbled with your decision to spare the incarnation, though I am worried about him spending so much time with her.”

“I think your concern is with the wrong Flare, Croll.”

“Perhaps she tricked the child. Enthralled him, somehow.”

“That’s unlikely.”

“It’s been done before.” His eyes widened, flitting to Jarek, then he dropped his head. “That was too bold, sir, I apologize.”

Jarek’s lip curled. He wasn’t wrong, just misinformed. Keara didn’t enthrall him, just pried at a part of himself that was waiting for a chance to emerge. But he did agree with Croll—it was too bold.

“Ei! Sysq!”

Croll firing an insult in Retian woke Jarek from the thought. He turned to find Lilith halfway on the horse, gripping a bleary eyed and heavy Luka, shooting a look made of solid ice at Croll. Carefully, she climbed behind, steadying him with one hand, the other gripping the reins.

“What did you do?” Croll asked in slow Cera.

“Feis of solf,” she snapped.

Croll gasped, and Jarek’s protests withered away. He threw his head back and laughed.

“I told you to be respectful.”

“But she…” Croll turned back to Lilith. “What happened to him?”

“I thought it was the best time to kill him,” she taunted, holding a now fast asleep Luka to her chest.

Croll snorted. “Being ill-tempered will do nothing for your matching repute, witch.”

“It’s a little late for that, worm.”

“That’s enough,” Jarek said through his dying giggles. “The bickering won’t cease if you continue, trust me.”

Croll’s aura was bright red and building, but he obeyed and faced front. Still grinning, Jarek pulled on the reins until he was beside a struggling Lilith.

“What do you want?” she snarled.

“I see now why you’re imagining strange animals following you.”

“If all you’re going to do is bother me, I’ve got more bite in me for you, too.”

“I can take it,” he said, enjoying her fumbling trying to balance both her and Luka. “Relax, Evelian, or you’ll spook it from panicking alone.”

“You’re welcome to do something about it, Hazevale.”

“Would you like me to?”

Her voice quieted after a swallow. “A little, yes.”

He allowed the Serpent to collect her anxiety, taking the bulk but keeping it light so it was in a place he thought she might like. “That was so amusing that I’ve decided I’d like to play along with your father’s proverb. Have you always been able to speak Retian or did you learn in Reave?”