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We were. I’d failed in the hybrid kingdom, no help would be coming from Conreth unless I found allies, Rythos had lost his friend, our entire village was dead, and Eryndan wouldn’t ally with us anytime soon.

The war had barely begun. And we were already losing.

CHAPTERTWENTY-FIVE

Prisca’s lower lip trembled as she hugged her brother goodbye the next morning. She valiantly managed to hold it together after making him swear over and over again that he would be careful. When she suggested a blood vow to hold him to such a promise, he’d rolled his eyes, extricated himself from her arms, and given Demos a look that told him to step in.

Unsurprisingly, Asinia was the one to jolt Prisca from her anxiety. “Are you serious? Tibris is a healer and will probably be welcomed with open arms. We’re going into a labyrinth ofcaves—as quickly as we can before Conreth’s men beat us there.” She sneered at me as if the order had come from my mouth. “Not to mention, Regner probably has his people lying in wait at every entrance. You want to worry about someone? Worry about us.”

Prisca laughed. Cavis grinned at Asinia, while Telean shook her head. After some negotiation, she’d agreed to stay behind, admitting that the trip would be too much for her. I was satisfied with that. One less person to keep alive in those caves.

Tibris made a quick escape, and the stable hands brought out our horses. After our stay in Thobirea, they were well-rested and ready, and soon we were all back on the road.

Cavis pulled up next to me, his gaze distant. “It’s not too late to change your mind,” I reminded him. “Galon and the others know where to meet us, so you can get back to Sybella and Piperia.”

He sighed, longing flickering over his face. “I can’t explain it,” he said. “But I feel as if something is prodding me to go with you.”

I nodded. I’d learned early in life to pay attention to such instincts.

As soon as we reached the forest, I caught a glimpse of the Drakoryx through the trees. Our eyes met, and I pointed him out to Prisca, who let out a relieved breath. “He’s all right.”

Asinia gave her a wide-eyed look. “He’ll be just fine. It’s everyone else you need to be worried about.”

The Drakoryx disappeared once more, but every now and then, I caught sight of his fur.

Something caught my eye, and I glanced up. Aquilus was flying above our heads, the hawk circling down until she landed on my shoulder. Giving her a stroke, I took the message tied to her foot and scanned it.

Prisca immediately reined in her horse. “What is it?” she asked.

“One of my spies believes he has located one of the amulets.”

Her eyes widened. “You need to go.”

I gave her the look that comment deserved.

She sighed. “Lorian.”

“I’m getting tired of it, Prisca. Tired of you taking any chance to push me away.”

She waved at the others to keep riding. “That’s not what this is. We both have duties to our people. Demos and I will get the hourglass with Asinia. You and Cavis go get the amulet. We’ll meet—”

A dull fury took up residence in my gut at the thought of her going into those caves without me. “Listen to me very carefully. I will never leave you to do something that dangerous without me. Never.”

She glanced away. “You’re making choices that you can’t take back, Lorian. What will happen when your brother learns you knew where the amulet was, and instead of finding it, you came with me?”

An odd kind of tenderness sparked through my chest. “Stop trying to protect me.”

“I will. Just as soon as you do the same.”

My mouth twitched, and she rolled her eyes at me.

“I’ll make you a deal,” she said.

Few things intrigued me like bargaining with this woman. “What kind of deal?”

“I’ll allow you to come with me to find the hourglass, but the moment it’s in my hands, you go after the amulet.”

“Why would I make such a deal?”