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“After you,” Phobius said. I had forgotten he was there, and I startled. He had his arm extended, gesturing for me to move ahead of him and start our trek toward Lucius.
I shook myself and put one foot in front of the other, wincing at the cold ground that wasn’t smooth by any stretch of the imagination. It was only thanks to my super healing that blisters or worse hadn’t torn my frozen feet to bloody pieces already.
“Phobius…” I wasn’t sure how to word what I wanted to ask him.
“Yes, my lady?”
When I looked up at him beside me, his expression was indulgent. He wore that smugness of his like a cloak. I could never read him well, whether he was humoring me or mocking me. Taking him in now, I tried to see Demos in him. They weren’t remotely alike.
“I want this over,” I replied. “Tell me what I need to do.”
For once, his expression seemed serious. “What are you saying, exactly?”
We stopped walking and turned to face each other. “I may not know the specifics or even the general gist, but I know war is coming. I know an elemental that resides over winter is trapped in some kind of painful mental loop, and I know the Owl needs to be held accountable for whatever it is they’ve been doing. I want it to stop. What do I need to do? And don’t you dare tell me that I just need to sit pretty and watch as the Ongahri and my men walk into danger, leaving me behind, coddled and protected.”
His blue eyes studied me, starting with my hairline all the way to the lift of my chin. I felt like he was reading me like a book, assessing me, taking my measure. Finally he said, “Aren’t you a surprise. I’ve pegged you wrong, madame. I think the more appropriate question is what are you willing to do?”
“I have no idea until I learn what it is that can be done.” I was growing irritated, once again, at people who had more information than me. “Do I need to go straight to the Basilica and demand answers from their Supreme? Do I need to travel to Providence and speak with my father, implore him to arrange a meeting with the leaders of Titus? The Constants? Gods, I’ll do that and more, even going back to that—that desolate frozen forest and pour hot water on that frozen mound the elemental is trapped in. What. Can. I. Do?”
He said nothing, only stared at me with wide eyes.
“Look, I know you don’t like me.” I tucked a lock of hair behind my ear. “I don’t care, Phobius. But I know you well enough to know you’re direct. Softness is not in you, and I need to be told as bluntly as can be.”
An owl hooted and screeched above us somewhere in the sky. The call seemed to wake Phobius from his trance, because he took my arm and we resumed walking.
“He’s watching us, and unless you want to end this conversation, I suggest you and I keep moving.”
“What’s wrong with him?” I asked. Demos’ cries sounded pained, and I realized with a shock that, just like with Lucius, Demos and I shared a visceral bond that went beyond feelings. Through it I could feel desperation, a struggle…
“He’s newly mated. I’m sure you have experience with that, seeing that your Lucius is a True Alpha. Nothing more savage and manic as a newly mated male.”
Stupidly, I wondered if Phobius had a mate somewhere out there. If so, gods helped the man or woman who bonded to him.
“Is that all that’s wrong with him?” I asked, dreading more bad news.
“Just ignore him. He’ll grow accustomed. Now, to answer your question: right now, the only thing to do is find the others, regroup, and get you fed and clothed more decently.”
Rolling my eyes, I tripped on a deep-seated root in the ground. Phobius righted me and I murmured a thanks. “And then?”
“And then, when the time is right, I’ll find you. I have an idea. But you’ll need to secure your hounds in order for me to implement it.”
“Hounds?”
“Yes. Starting with him.” He pointed straight ahead. I saw nothing, but now I could hear the clapping of horses tearing their way through pines and brush. “They’ve arrived.”
Phobius pulled me aside and out of harm’s way as we waited until the cloud of dust settled around us in a shriek and clamor of neighing.
Before I could take a breath, Lucius had dismounted and was in front of me. His fists were clenched, his eyes wild. Gods, he looked as if at any moment he’d erupt. His mouth moved but no words came out. Seeing him come apart, the anguish in his expression…
I opened the bond for the first time since I’d seen him last, and what came at me had me swaying and stepping back. He noted the movement and paled, his face falling as if I’d gutted him. He thought I was retreating from him, no doubt, and that pained me more than learning he’d lied to me.
“Sierra…” His throat bobbed, and I could take it no longer. I had to touch him, had to let me hold him.
I threw myself into his arms, and his scent wrapped around as he held me tight.
“Thank the gods,” he breathed. He showered my head and face with kisses, his hands gripping my waist. “I’m sorry. Ongar, I’m so sorry.”
True agony poured from him, and I took mercy on him. “I’m here now. We’ll talk about it later. Right now I’m cold and I want shoes.”
