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Tomas’ glower gives me the impression one night is too long for him. However, he doesn’t argue as Rylan speaks for us.

“Of course,” Urian says. “Right this way.”

We follow Urian and Jamys. Nina meets my eyes, so I put a little soundproof shield before us. “Go ahead,” I say.

“I can forgive you trying to subdue an army alone, but consider yourself indebted to me for having to stay in Ceraun.”

Chapter forty

We’re all tucked away into rooms like crystal in cupboards. Mine has a musty feel to it, which I remedy quickly with a cleansing breeze. The stale air goes out the window, and I drop onto a cushion of my own creation. It’s undoubtedly more comfortable than the furniture. Everything looks so heavy and stiff.

Before I can begin cataloguing the events of the day and making sense of them, I close my eyes. After very little sleep last night and a very long day, the edges of my consciousness start to blur. I’m not asleep two minutes before my door flings open.

“Get up,” Nina says. “Let’s get this over with.”

I bury my face in my hands. “What do you want?” I peek through my fingers to see Marcus walk to the washroom.

“I want us to dine with these people so the day can be over, and we can leave as early as possible tomorrow.” Nina sniffs and shakes her head. “Before we retire for the night, I’ll need you to do this”—she traces circles in the air—“to my room as well.”

“What?”

“Whatever you do to make it feel livable.”

Marcus returns and tells me the bath is ready.

“Can I have a minute’s rest first?”

“You’ve had an hour,” he says.

“It has not been an hour.”

“It has,” Nina says. “Go.”

The air pushes me upright. “And since when do you use your power to draw baths for people?”

Marcus’ lips turn down as he glowers at me. “Would you like to call for a servant who will gawk at you? They aren’t quite used to magical people here.”

“I suppose not. It’s lucky Nina and Ry picked you up on the way. Was that only so they could sail here faster?”

“Get ready!” they say in unison.

“Fine.” I stretch my back and neck. “You both look charming, by the way.”

“I hate you.” Nina looks down at the offending dress. It’s pretty, but being Cerauno, there is so much of it. She appears uncomfortable, covered from the neck down. “I don’t know how you’ve been doing this.”

I shrug and go off to get ready. A similar dress waits for me which Nina helps me into. We go back out to find Rylan has joined our party, but Tomas hasn’t. “Do I need to refresh your room as well?”

“Yes, but that can wait.” Rylan stands and rolls his shoulders back. “Let’s get this over with.”

“What, no reprimand for running away?” That’s what I’d really like to get out of the way. All three of them, plus Tomas, are furious with me, though I have no doubt the reasons vary. “Why did you really come after me?”

Nina crosses her arms. “Our idiot sister went off to fight an army by herself.”

“Which was a problem because?”

“Do you discount our affection so completely?”

“Yours I do.” Tomas’ motivation is the only one I’m confident of. He would come for my sake, as I did his. Nina would have her own reasons.