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“I thought we might alter them, if it looks feasible.”

He shot her a grin. “Now that’s a good plan.”

The Rising Wave cart had already left, she saw. And her horse with it.

Luc swung into his saddle, and reached for her again.

His strength and agility were incredible to her.

She held tight to the scrolls and leaned into him as they started back. “We need to hurry. I’m not sure how long my working will last. I’ve convinced him he isn’t well, so he won’t mingle with the other traders, but we should really return these within a few a hours to be safe.”

Massi and Rafe suddenly came up on either side of them.

“What were you up to, Luc?” Massi asked.

“I’ll tell you when we’re in my tent. Rafe, can you get word to the General to come as soon as she can?”

Rafe peeled away, galloping with a whoop into the dusk. Massi stayed with them.

Ava could feel her eyes on her.

“Where’s your horse?”

“I lent it to one of the traders to help carry what she bought back to the column.”

“And what were you doing—”

“Enough, Massi. We’ll explain everything when we get to my tent.” Luc’s voice was harsh.

He still hadn’t forgiven her for Revek’s attack.

Ava ran her hand in circles on the small of his back and looked over at Massi. “You feel hurt, because before, Luc would have told you what he was doing, and you would not have to ask what was going on.”

Massi said nothing.

Luc sighed. “It was spur of the moment, Mas. We had to act immediately. You’ll know soon enough.”

She gave a stiff nod and with a yip, gave her horse its reins and galloped ahead into deep shadows as the last of the sun’s face dipped beneath the horizon.

The column began to light up—fires coaxed to life, lanterns hung from poles.

“It looks its best right now, just as the sun sets, when you can still see the shapes of everything, but they are softened by the shadows,” Ava murmured.

“Truth be told, it always looks its best to me. Because I never thought we’d get so far, or be so many.” Luc slowed his horse, as if to prolong their time together, before they reached the column, and the tricky conversations ahead.

“Thank you for keeping my secrets.” She knew it might cost him dearly in the long run.

“I look after my own. And you are mine.”

She believed him. “And I’ll do everything I can to protect you. Because you are mine, too.”

Unfortunately, she may not be able to protect him from herself, or the baggage she dragged along behind her.

Chapter 23

The General walked into Luc’s tent moments after they did.

Ava could see curiosity in her eyes, and pent up energy in her movements.