I turned to Roland, who was also grinning from Merrick’s stupid comment. “So, I’m supposed to share with you?”
He continued grinning, then mounted the white horse that was meant for us, I guess. “Hop on behind me, Ginger Snap.”
“How come you get to be in front?” I protested but quickly got on behind him as there was no time to spare.
“I think you’ll be more useful than I on the back, with your fireball-wielding abilities and whatnot.” I wrapped my arms around his waist, and he sucked in sharply before tilting his head back to me. “And I really just wanted your arms around my waist,” he purred.
I reached down and pinched his thigh as hard as I could, and he yelped, causing me to grin.
“Vicious thing,” he muttered.
“Let’s get on then, shall we?” Silas snapped. I looked over at him and couldn’t ignore his grimace. “Where to, Lena?”
The last of my people were hardly visible.
“South.”
When we eventually caught up with the rest of the Mages, deep into the forest, they stilled, all catching their breath and cheering. However, the cheering quickly quieted as they saw the Otacians accompanying us.
“What are they doing here?” someone snarled.
“Is this a trap?” another cried.
“KILL THEM!”
Multiple people began to charge toward us, and I urged Roland to guide our horse forward before I created a forcefield so large that everyone advancing came to a halt.
“No one is killing anyone!” I yelled calmly yet sternly. “The Prince set us free. He betrayed his kingdom so we may all live. If anyone tries to lay afingeron any one of them, you’ll have me to deal with.”
A few protested, but after how horrid the past few weeks had been, they decided to obey, and we continued onward.
We rode for hours, finally stopping just before dawn. Our diversions had proven successful, as no soldiers were on our tail. However, it was only a matter of time before some found us. We were to rest up for a couple of hours before continuing onward.
When we dismounted, I ran to Mother and hugged her tightly, tears of relief pouring down both of our faces. Everyone then awkwardly went to our own areas. Merrick and Viola were talking by the crackling fire I had started while Elowen looked over to Edmund, him returning her gaze. The Otacians stayed near us. With an angry group of Mages surrounding them, they had to have felt safest with me nearby to stop any attack if need be.
Silas’s group had also gathered wood for a fire, and Hendry was attempting to start it himself. I sighed and walked over, the group giving me raised brows as I crouched down and conjured fire from my fingertips. The wood began to smoke as the flames ignited.
“Thank you,” Edmund said kindly, Hendry nodding. Erabella just sat with her arms crossed, and Roland smiled smugly. Silas gave me an unreadable golden gaze.
What an interesting group.
I went to head back to my friends before Silas spoke. “Can I speak to you for a moment?” He stood and gestured to the privacy of the trees. Erabella frowned at him.
I nodded, and we ventured off.
It was quiet for a moment when we made it deeper into the forest, nothing but the sound of crickets audible.
“How are you feeling?” Silas asked.
I blinked. “Tired. Stressed. I will feel much better when my people are where they will be safe.”
He dragged his bottom lip through his teeth. “You still won’t tell me, will you?”
I tensed. He studied me with a look that didn’t frighten me, but I still remembered how angry he was that first night at Fort Laith.
“You have to understand—”
“Have I not proven to you that I am with you?” he pushed.
