§
Kierion banged on Lars’ door. He shuffled from foot to foot until Lars opened it, and then burst into the living area. “Adelina’s disappeared.” He clenched and unclenched his fists, wanting to punch something. Why had he delayed coming back to Dragons’ Hold a day, to hunt a few more tharuks? Sure, he’d been saving lives, but it was meaningless if he lost Adelina.
Lars’ gaze was sharp. “When did you last see her?”
“At the race celebration, but something wasn’t right. I’ve, um, been away since. She’s not here. No one’s seen her since the feast.” Lars raised his eyebrows and opened his mouth, but Kierion interrupted, “And I mean no one! You know me, Lars, no stone unturned.”
“Yes.” Lars’ voice was wry. “You are thorough.”
Kierion nodded, waiting.
“Did she say anything about Roberto?” Lars asked.
“Only that it was hard with him gone, him being her only family and all.”
Lars scratched his beard. “She could have gone after her brother.”
“Why haven’t you gone after him?”
“There are bigger things at stake.” Lars was hedging. “We believe Roberto could still be gathering information vital to the realm, despite the circumstances.”
“We can’t let Adelina go to Death Valley on her own.”
“I’ll have to talk with Tonio and Aidan, master of battle, before we decide what action to take.”
From Lars’ tone, it wasn’t likely he’d take action. Kierion thrust his clenched fists behind his back.
“Now, Kierion,” Lars said. “You mentioned you’ve been away since the feast. You didn’t happen to visit two particular young wizards at Mage Gate against my orders, did you?”
“I—” Kierion was saved by a sharp rap at the door.
When Lars opened it, Tomaaz strode in. “Master Lars, Ezaara and Zaarusha are gone.”
Lars’ brow furrowed. “Kierion, Tomaaz, please, take a seat.”
Tomaaz’s body was taut as he perched on the front of his chair. “Ezaara was at the opening of the feast, but then she left and no one’s seen her since.”
“And Zaarusha?”
“Gone too.”
“What? No queen and no Queen’s Rider!” Lars paced back and forth. “That’ll give the gossips a feast.”
Last time Ezaara had disappeared, she’d gone to the Wastelands to save Master Roberto. There were already rumors that they cared about each other, the way Kierion cared for Adelina. When she’d returned, the queen had been poisoned. No doubt, Zaarusha would never let her go into danger alone again. No, they were a truer partnership than ever. His strong bond with Riona was a pale shade of what the queen and Queen’s Rider had. If Ezaara loved Roberto, Zaarusha would go too. Kierion piped up, “Tomaaz, Adelina’s gone too, with Linaia.”
Tomaaz’s eyes widened. “So, they could’ve gone to rescue Roberto together?”
Kierion had offered Ezaara food, but she’d brushed him off. Then he’d danced with Adelina and didn’t remember seeing Ezaara again. “Maybe …”
“Dragon’s claws, we’d best head after them. It’s a four-or-five-day flight.”
“Not so quick,” Lars barked. “This is a matter for the council, not for two young hot-headed new riders. There are circumstances you’re both unaware of. Wait here. I’ll summon the war council.” Lars left for Singlar’s den, slamming the door behind him.
“We’ll go now, with Fenni and Jael,” said Kierion to Tomaaz, his jaw clenched. “What Lars doesn’t know won’t harm him.” At Tomaaz’s look of surprise, he added, “Lars hasn’t expressly forbidden us to go, so we should go before he does. I’m not leaving Adelina or Roberto there a moment longer.”
Tomaaz shrugged. “What are we waiting for?”
§
Lovina frowned. “Where were you? I looked for you today.”
Tomaaz shrugged, shoving a few things in his bags—healing supplies and food mainly, and another warm set of clothes, and some clothes for Roberto. “On an assignment with Kierion.”
“In Great Spanglewood Forest fighting tharuks with wizards. Taliesin told me all about it. He was happy to see spangles, and liked the way wizards killed tharuks.” Lovina pursed her lips. “Now, you’re leaving again, aren’t you? But this time it’s not to Spanglewood.”
“Ah, no, it’s not.” Gods, the last thing he wanted was to keep secrets from Lovina, but he didn’t want her getting into trouble for knowing.
“If you don’t go, Roberto will die.” Her eyes filled with tears. “Get them out, Tomaaz. Bring them all home. I never want anyone to go through what I did in Death Valley. If these mages are as good as Taliesin says, they may be our only chance.”
He hugged her, burying his lips in her hair, kissing its soft silkiness, then her fine cheeks and finally, her lips—the sweetest thing he’d ever tasted. Her arms tightened around his back, pulling him closer. Gods, how could he leave her? His breath caught. What if he never saw her again?
“I, I—” She broke down, sobbing.
He smoothed the hair back from her face. “Lovina, what is it?”
“I’m just not brave enough.” Tears trailed down her cheeks. He wiped them away. “Not brave enough to come with you. I can’t. I just can’t go back.”
“Shards, no, Lovina.” Horror engulfed him. “I’d never send you back there. No, not after what you’ve been through.” He’d witnessed Old Bill, her slave master, deliberately break her arm. Her back was still a mess of scars, like a tangle of vines writhing across her flesh. He pulled her close again, resting his chin on her hair. She buried her face in his chest, her breath shuddering out of her. “You stay right here, safe. Please take care of Taliesin.”
Lovina looked up at him with her soft cornflower blues. “You always understand. I’m so lucky I met you, Tomaaz.”
His heart swelled until he thought he’d burst.
“There’s something else, Tomaaz. Something terrible is going to happen to the mages in Spanglewood Forest.” Lovina shook her head. “I can’t
