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“Do you miss home?” Avenay began setting up the fire, finding a kit of matches in her bag. Onora joined her, setting up twigs and leaves around the wood. Vasu stood next to Dryston, on guard, for threats both outside the group, and inside.

“The forest here feels like home,” Onora said with a shrug. “I’ve always been drawn to the pines and peaks. I asked to be stationed here and built good relations with King Leeth and the elven knights.”

Her gaze slid to Dryston, narrowing.

“Do you trust them?” Onora whispered.

Avenay swallowed. Most people didn’t trust the demons, and she really had no reason to. But also… she had no good reason not to. She knew the history of the demons.

How the Erebus parents were the only successful ones to challenge the Cruel Lord and depose him. They had killed anyone who had willingly sided with him and had sought to make amends for the wrongs committed against Nemus.

She also knew, though, that Dryston had the reputation of having a temper, and that the demons, historically, couldn’t be trusted. They had a thrall that entranced others, usually resulting in sexual desires.

Oh.

Was that what Avenay felt towards Enid? It had to be. This feverish, all-consuming feeling could only be explained by a thrall. Or a mate. But that was so unlikely that Avenay disregarded it on the spot. Seraphs rarely had mates. Avenay let out a mirthless laugh, and Onora raised a brow at her.

“From what I’ve seen of them, I have no reason not to,” she replied.

Onora’s jaw flexed. “I see. Why are they on this expedition?”

“Lord Dryston has just entered into an alliance with King Leeth. I believe it’s an exchange of some sort. And because Leeth has soldiers protecting Kaemon’s mate.”

“The woman?” A troubled expression filled Onora’s face.

“I believe so. Though I have to admit, I don’t know very much about that.”

“I’ve heard of her. The Guild believes she’s still entranced by him.”

“Kaemon?” Onora frowned at the incredulity in Avenay’s voice. She barely knew Kaemon, he was the quietest of the three, so she should have even less of a read on his character, but he seemed so… sweet. Like a pastry—almost sickeningly so.

“You don’t believe that’s true?”

“I don’t… I don’t know.” Avenay worried her lip. “No. I really don’t believe that’s true.”

Onora raised her brows, surprised. She shot a glance towards Dryston, who still stared at her, gaze narrowed, calculating. “I certainly don’t trust that one. Be careful, Avenay. I’ve seen how Enid looks atyou. If she decides to bring you under her thrall, you need to keep your wits about you.”

I think I might like her thrall.

Avenay was mildly horrified at the thought, but then she let it settle over her. Some part of her, for whatever reason, wanted to know what it would be like to touch and be touched by Enid. Thrall or not.

Enid and Kaemon returned with a deer, setting it over the fire and seasoning it. They ate in silence, Vasu pulling out a scroll to read over, Kaemon whittling at a piece of wood, Dryston and Onora watching each other out of the corner of their eyes, and Enid next to her brothers, scrutinizing Avenay from afar in a way that made her shift.

Enid came and sat next to her, the glow of the firelight casting shadows on her wings, setting them in oranges, blues and blacks. Avenay was aware of Onora and Dryston’s attention shifting to them with scrutiny, and she took a gulp of water to abate how nervous she suddenly felt.

“You have me at a disadvantage, Little Bird,” Enid said low enough that the others couldn’t hear.

“How do you mean?”

“You know so much about me, and all I know is that you are an academic from Lesern.”

“There isn’t much more to it than that.”

Enid raised a brow, shifting so her arm rested on the log behind them, dangerously close to encasing Avenay. Enid’s wing tilted in a way that shielded their faces from anyone trying to read lips, and it was Avenay’s turn to raise a brow.

Enid shrugged. “My brother is nosey, and he seems to have met his match in Onora. Now, I doubt that all there is to you is being an academic. How did you come about being on this expedition?”

“I gave a presentation at the academic summit, discussing how I believed Evolis, fromThe Tales of Lemia, had been a real place. Vasu heard about it and the rest is history.”