“Leave us for five minutes. Let Ara and I decide together and then come back.”
He bowed and vanished.
“What do you think?” he asked. The fact that he made it our decision and not his own was not lost on me.
“If we go all the way east, we will lose days, weeks if the weather is bad. We will have to travel all the way back across, trying to remain undetected in the northern kingdom. If we can make it through the Western Gap, we will still have to travel through the Wind Court but not for nearly as long. I don’t see that we have a real choice here.
He nodded. “Whatever the danger is, going the other way is likely still worse. Let’s stick to the plan and be extra diligent about watching our surroundings.”
“Do we need to discuss this,” I said, motioning between us, “before he comes back?”
“Purely scientific.” He took my hand and winked.
I found comfort in his answer. I was confused and trying to figure myself out, and not having to think about the prince or what could be between us was certainly the easiest approach.
Greeve used his wind cleaving magic and carried me back to the group before going back for Fen.
“What the hell?” Kai asked. “I thought he was headed for the Western Gap not back for you guys?”
“I’ll wait for them to get back, and then we can talk about it as a group.”
“Hungry?” Wren offered me a piece of dried meat.
I took it eagerly, and it was half gone by the time the others arrived. Magic lessons wore me out.
“What happened?” Kai demanded as they came to meet us.
“There’s something dangerous in or near the Gap. Ara and I talked and decided we should still take that route. I’ll offer again for any of you to stay behind if you want to.”
Everyone turned to look at Lichen.
“I’m with you,” he said, less than confidently.
“I would hear your advice, Lichen,” Fen said.
“Tell me what you felt, Greeve.”
“Something large, living, and dangerous. I didn’t get close. The minute the air became thin, I turned back.”
Lichen pulled out his map and studied it for several minutes. Fen sidled up beside me and leaned down to whisper, “I hope you understand why I have to ask his advice as well.”
I nodded as I watched Lichen search his map for any way around whatever the danger was.
“I think we will have to continue with our plans, just as you have decided. The closer we get to the Eastern Gap on the other side, the closer we get to Morwena, Coro, and Autus. I’d rather take our chances with whatever’s scaring Greeve.”
Wind whipped through us.
“You’ll watch your tongue,” Greeve said, leaning in with hardened fists. “I am a draconian. We do not fear, but it is my job to keep the prince safe.”
He could be scary when he wanted to be.
“Did you at least figure out what the direct path to the Western Gap is?” Kai asked.
“Yes, this way,” he said, pointing.
And so as one, we moved toward whatever danger Greeve had found, and this time when Fen held my hand, I did not pull away.
Chapter 28
