Page 71 of Kingdom of Briars and Roses

“So you do read the scouting reports I sent you,” Rydian said.

“Only the exciting ones,” Callan told him, grinning.

Rydian frowned, his eyes flashing with a temper that he somehow managed to keep tightly leashed as he said, “I’m not sure the men would use that word to describe such a dangerous mission.”

I cocked my head. “It can’t be that dangerous if a single unit of soldiers is enough to stop them.”

Callan smothered a laugh.

Rydian pinned me with a look that rivaled the one he’d worn that day in the Broadlands. For a moment, whatever door he’d built to hide his power opened just enough to remind me what he was capable of. I breathed in sharply as my newly heightened senses became suddenly aware of the sheer magnitude of it. Then, just as quickly, the door slammed shut.

Rydian sheathed his sword with a smooth motion, his gaze lingering on me for only a heartbeat before turning back to Callan. “My men and I will ride ahead,” he said, his voice low, clipped. “We’ll make sure the road is clear since you insist on going this way.”

“It’s faster,” Callan said.

Rydian merely shook his head then strode over to an enormous white horse and pulled himself into the saddle. I watched him, watched the way his muscles moved as he swung his large body up.

With a low whistle, he rode away, several men falling into line behind him. They all wore the same nondescript uniform as Rydian: dark tunics with no crest or court identification.

An elite unit.

Led by Callan’s brother.

A male with a power unlike any I’d ever seen. And theunique ability to mask it whenever he wanted. A male who seemed to hate me for absolutely no reason at all.

A male who haunted my dreams.

When he was gone, I found Callan watching me. My cheeks heated, and I turned away but too late. He frowned, clearly noting my reaction. I didn’t say a word. Neither did he. But something had shifted. And I wasn’t sure if I could ever shift it back. Or if I wanted to try.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Aurelia

For the rest of the afternoon, the company rode in tight formation, eyes sharp. As we left the dead Obsidians behind, no one mentioned the furyfire I’d used or the shadows I’d taken into myself. Worry warred with logic. It was likely none of them had noticed what I’d done, especially considering they were all wrapped up in fighting for their own lives. Even with the healer’s efforts, five were dead and twice that injured. And from the expressions some of them wore, the soldiers we’d lost had been friends to one another. Watching them mourn their fallen only made my own grief that much sharper.

That night, we slept in bedrolls without tents or even a fire to warm us. I woke frequently to the sounds of twigs snapping or wind rustling the trees. Even with two Aine swords propped against the tree beside me, I’d never felt more exposed.

My heart ached with grief, and more than once, silent tears tracked down my cheeks as I thought of Sonoma, Lesha, and Amanti.

By dawn, I was bleary-eyed and more than ready to move again.

We resumed our silent trek through the forest, the tension stretching my nerves thin.

I didn’t see Rydian again, though I glimpsed a couple of his men reporting in before they rode ahead. Callan rode beside me, mostly silent since the attack, his face unreadable.

I didn’t have it in me to ask what he was thinking.

Three days passed.

Callan didn’t talk much though he rode dutifully beside me as we wound our way west. I was more than okay with the silence. It left me to my own thoughts, as churning and wild as they were.

Nothing else attacked, but instead of relief, it only set me more on edge. Something about the calm didn’t feel right. Sure enough, by the time we stopped to sleep each night, one of Rydian’s men appeared to report that they’d encountered Obsidians or other predators and cleared the way for us. I pretended not to care that Rydian hadn’t come himself.

Callan didn’t bother to thank them before sending them on their way again.

Just before sunset on the fourth day, the forest gave way to an open hillside. From here, the land rolled gently into the distance where another forest waited. Grey Oak Forest, I realized as I studied the autumn leaves that decorated the canopy in the distance.

We’d reached Autumn’s borders at last.

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