Page 85 of Path of the Dark
Ryana nodded, reined her horse to the left, and cast one last look over her shoulder at Elias. She’d been looking forward to parting ways with this man, but now the time had come, she was filled with regret. There were too many things left unspoken, and now they’d run out of time.
But some things were best left unsaid, especially to a man who now belonged to the enemy camp. A peace-maker or not, Elias was still Reoul of Anthor’s son.
“Good fortune with your father,” she said, forcing a lightness into her voice she didn’t feel.
He smiled back, although his dark gaze remained somber, and raised a hand in farewell.
Throat constricting, Ryana urged her horse into a brisk canter and rode out of the square.
Elias watched Ryana go, his gaze tracking her until she disappeared from sight onto The Spiral Way. He’d let her have a few moments to get a head start before he moved off.
Seeing her depart had left him feeling empty.
Despite that she’d been angry with him, despite that they’d sparred and argued all the way south, he’d had her company. And he’d enjoyed every moment, knowing it could never last.
He didn’t like the thought of her going after Gael alone. When she’d told him her ex-lover could scent her, jealousy had ripped through him. Many years had passed since Ryana and Gael had been together, yet it was a reminder of the connection they’d once shared. Misgiving needled him now. If Gael was as dangerous as Ryana said, she shouldn’t be facing him alone.
Elias tore his gaze from where the enchanter had just disappeared and let out the breath he’d been holding.
Enough.
He couldn’t help her; he had problems of his own to contend with. Straightening in the saddle, he let his gaze roam around the Great Square. This wasn’t how he’d envisaged returning to Veldoras. He’d hoped to have some time to work on his father before Nathan moved.
He couldn’t believe the Rithmar army was only a day away. Nathan would have pushed hard to travel south so fast.
Elias’s attention shifted from the walls—where men were setting up cauldrons for boiling oil and frames for catapults—over the steepled rooftops of the large city, to The Swallow Keep itself. The fortress, made of grey-blue stone, had a brooding quality this afternoon.
His father would be there waiting for him, and he would be wanting answers.
Let’s get this over with.
With a heavy sigh, Elias wheeled his destrier around and followed Ryana’s path out of the square, his escort following behind him.
