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Galon wandered away with Piperia, and Lorian turned his attention back to me, his expression contemplative. I kept my own expression carefully blank. He was going to lose his mind when he returned and learned I’d traveled to my kingdom without him. But at least Conreth couldn’t accuse his brother of treason.

I had no doubt that when I finally saw Lorian again, we would have a glorious fight about it.

But it was my turn to protect him for once.

“Tell me what you’re thinking, wildcat.” Lorian leaned close.

My throat tightened, my eyes burned, and I had to resist the almost overwhelming urge to bury my face in his chest.

“Safe travels,” I said instead, attempting a smile. Above our heads, Lorian’s hawk circled. According to Lorian, he’d had an injured wing and needed to recover at camp, which was why he hadn’t traveled with Lorian to Regner’s castle.

He studied my face. “I’ll see you in a few days.”

I nodded. For some reason, Iloathedlying to him.

Lorian stepped back, his eyes cold. He knew something was wrong.

For one wild second, I almost told him everything.

But he was already turning away, mounting his horse. I memorized this moment, along with his face—eyes sharp, expression vaguely irritated. The scent of dew-covered grass and damp soil filled my nostrils as a fresh breeze played over my skin.

The others were waiting, and I lifted a hand as Rythos grinned at me. Galon pinned me with a hard stare. “Keep up with your training.”

“I will,” I promised. I would train every morning as I traveled to the hybrid kingdom.

Marth winked at me. He’d just given one of the fae women a lusty kiss, and she stared at him as if he were made of gold, before sauntering away toward the fae tents.

Cavis stepped up next to me, Piperia back in his arms. I held out my finger, and she clasped it with her tiny hand. Her father practically radiated contentment as he watched the others leave without him.

“You don’t wish you could go?” I asked.

He shook his head. “I’ve spent too much time away from my family recently,” he said. “Lorian doesn’t even need the others with him. They probably just want to find something to kill.”

I winced and he laughed. “Ready to hold my daughter yet?”

I sucked in an unsteady breath. “Soon,” I promised. “Let me work up to it.”

Cavis nudged me out of the way as Lorian and the others turned their horses toward the camp entrance. Lorian’s eyes met mine. “Keep your secrets, wildcat,” he called. “I’ll learn them soon enough.”

My stomach swooped at the thought of just how he’d likely attempt to learn those secrets.

Marth let out a low laugh, while Rythos rolled his eyes. Galon was already steering his horse toward the entrance, one hand raised to shield his eyes from the sun.

“Safe travels,” I said, and Lorian just gave me a wicked grin filled with promise. Moments later, they were gone.

Cavis wandered away, and I turned my face up to the sky.

The sun was warm on my skin, and within hours, it would be blazing, ensuring we gulped cups of water while we trained. It was early enough that most of the camp hadn’t yet roused, and the distant sound of the river teased my ears.

“Prisca.”

My aunt stood behind me, hands on her hips. Sometimes it was difficult to believe we weren’t blood related—especially now when she lowered her brows, giving me her I-dare-you look. I’d worn that same expression myself more times than I could count. And Demos practically woke up wearing it each day.

I walked toward her.

“I’m going with you,” she murmured beneath her breath.

My eyebrows shot up. We hadn’t kept our trip a secret from her, but she hadn’t expressed that she’d wanted to travel with us. Still, I should have talked to her about it.