Page 113 of The Freedom You Seek

Something vibrated behind me, and it took me a moment to realize that Dion was laughing out loud.

“What’s funny now?”

“You, Jama.”

A spark of irritation smoldered inside me like kindling, but I couldn’t bring it over myself to shoot back. Dion laughed so rarely—although his laughter was a beautiful thing—and I was almost proud that I’d coaxed the sound out of him. “Well, if you refuse to tell me why we’re traveling as if the underworld will swallow us if we don’t, share at least something else.”

Dion had stopped laughing, but he still sounded amused. “What do you want to know now?”

“Why do you call me Jama?”

My question was met with silence, and I could almost feel him grind his teeth. “Something has come up that has moved our timeline from urgent to critical. We need to get to Amalach as soon as possible. But it has nothing to do with you. It’s just that our absence from duty is taking longer than expected, and it’s not being taken kindly.”

This trick was one I needed to keep in mind. “You’re deflecting.”

“Yes.”

“Dion. Why?”

“Because if I have the choice to share a secret that doesn’t involve you or one that does, I’ll always choose the former.”

“You’re really obnoxious.”

“I know. You’ve told me often enough.”

“So, you’re in trouble?” I switched the conversation back to what he’d confessed to me. One day, I’d find out why he called me Jama, but now, I concentrated on what mattered at this moment.

“Not instantly. If our superiors find us—well, then that might be a different story.”

“Can’t you explain why you’re absent? Surely trying to save the worlds is a good enough goal.”

“Since we don’t know yet if we’re out to save the worlds or throw a wrench into someone’s plan we have no clue about, doing so might bring worse consequences than ignoring the summons to return to the capital.”

“Rewi and Bryon are on their way to Ivreiana. Do you think they’re in danger?”

“No, they’re not—stop fidgeting. You only annoy me and the horse.”

“How can you be so sure? We have to warn them!”

“And you wonder why I didn’t want to tell you about it.” Dion sighed so profoundly that I was able to feel his chest move. “They know enough. Fig asked them to try to get some information about what’s going on in Ivreiana.”

I chewed on my lower lip, and since I was unhappy about the fact that Rewi and Bryon might be in danger, I groaned. “So, that’s it? You’ll all be deserting from the army?”

“Something like that.”

“Do you know if your superiors will try to find you?”

“The question is not if, but how long it’ll take for them to start looking for us. I know you’ve already found out about Fig being a high-ranking general. That’s why his absence leaves the area of deserting and moves it right into treason.”

I took a deep breath. “Treason.”

“Yes—and that includes Antas and me as well. Thain and Ireas might get away with desertion, but considering we’re all together, it might not save them.”

“Save them? And why Antas and you?”

I had to push Dion for more answers while he was so open, as I was worried about the men I’d grown fond of—maybe even considered them family.

“Antas isn’t on active duty anymore, but he’s a member of the Royal Council.”