Page 38 of Blood Feast

Cassia hid a smile behind her hand.

But Lio was not smiling. His arm tightened protectively around her waist.

Is this plan acceptable to you?she asked.

Also reluctantly,he replied. “You can rely on us, My Prince. We’ll ensure Cassia can hold her own Abroad.”

“We’ll be ready,” she agreed. “Won’t we, Kalos?”

Kalos hesitated, his brows knit, but then nodded. “I won’t let you down.”

At that moment, four more auras and the aroma of coffee filled the library. Uncle Argyros stepped in with Aunt Lyta, Mak, Lyros, and a very large, steaming pot.

Mak grinned at Cassia. “Those roses are wicked!”

She dusted red snow off his shoulder fretfully. “How wicked?”

“Wicked enough to make our duties easier, and Orthros safer,” Lyros answered.

Aunt Lyta let down her long auburn hair down, her aura tired but relieved. “Your roses are so effective at protecting our border that I can spare these two to accompany you to Tenebra when you leave.”

“Time for an adventure,” Mak said with enthusiasm.

Lyros tucked his Grace braid behind Mak’s ear. “Adefensiveadventure.”

Mak’s grin only widened. “I’m sure defensive maneuvers will require us to rough up the enemy a little.”

Lio turned to his uncle, his brow furrowed. “It seems Cassia and I need to request a leave of absence from the diplomatic service.”

Uncle Argyros shook his head. “No, my Ambassadors for Tenebran Affairs. I am sending you Abroad as diplomats errant with the Charge, empowered to represent Orthros on the front lines. Negotiate when you can. Fight when you must.”

“Thank you for your trust.” Cassia dropped her gaze. “I’m sorry I didn’t obey when you told me to leave the battle.”

“Never apologize for that,” Aunt Lyta broke in.

A charge seemed to hum between her and Uncle Argyros, surely a silent exchange in their Grace Union.

“The protection of our border is my Grace’s purview,” Argyros said at last. “I must defer to her judgment on everyone’s actions during the battle. Even when she corrupts my diplomats.”

Lyta pointed at Cassia. “This diplomat just fortified our defenses along the entire length of the ward. We’ve found black roses growing all throughout the mountains. They’re aggressive, too. One thicket already stopped another warband of heart hunters.”

Cassia’s heart seemed to miss a beat again. “Did they survive?”

“Those thorns made them wish they hadn’t,” Aunt Lyta answered, “but we turned them all over to the Charge with their hearts still beating.”

“Fortress Master Baruti is working on them at a…secure location, shall we say,” Rudhira explained. “This is a valuable opportunity for him to use his mind healing to study the Collector’s influence.”

“Do you need my assistance?” Lio asked.

“If he hasn’t made progress by the time you join us in the field,” Rudhira agreed. “Meanwhile, the Lustra passages you opened for us are making evacuations and sabotage much easier and safer. They also provide a refuge where Hesperines can pass the Slumber without being ambushed by mages. You two have given us a powerful reprieve, both at the border and the front lines. Use this time…and try to enjoy it, if you can.”

Rudhira was taking hisleave when Lio caught sight of Mak passing a note to Cassia. Where had that come from? Clearly, his Lady of Schemes was up to something. He knew it must be important when she abandoned an unfinished cup of her beloved coffee and drew him aside.

Instinctively, he cast a veil spell around their conversation. “Is your Craving all right?”

“It’s not that.” Powerful emotions infused her aura, projecting her thoughts into their Union. But all he heard in her mind was her reciting botany terms.

His brows rose. “Cassia, are you trying to conceal your thoughts? What’s wrong?”

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