The back of her neck prickled. “You know the old language?”
The lord didn’t answer her, only went on to say, “Interesting choice. A fine name for a fine creature.”
There was nothing malicious about the words, but something about his tone had Elyria suppressing a shudder.
“Are you here to see them off, my lord?” Kit asked, sidling next to Elyria and drawing the lord paramount’s piercing amber gaze.
Elyria flashed her friend a grateful look as the stablehand led Fjaethe over to stand with the other horses by the gate.
“Indeed,” said Lord Church. “We are just waiting on—ah, here they are now.”
Elyria felt Cedric’s approach before she even heard the clip-clopping of hooves making their way up the narrow path that led to thestables. Before she saw him, regally perched atop a solid black gelding, sporting pieces of polished armor over his traveling gear, Ashrender’s winged hilt peeking up from where the sword was strapped to his back.
Gold-brown eyes met emerald green immediately, something softening in his expression as Cedric slowed his horse. Not without effort, she forced her gaze away, taking in Tristan, riding at his side, and the ginger-haired, freckled young man trailing behind the two of them.
“Who is—” She cut herself off, blinking several times. She was sure she’d never seen him before, yet as the trio came closer, she couldn’t help but feel there was something so familiar about him.
“Nice glamour, Shep,” said Kit with a low whistle. “Hardly recognized you.”
Young Shep grinned. “Such is the point. At least until we arrive in Elderglade.”
When she squinted, Elyria could see it—the same sharp angle to his eyes. The same high cheekbones. Still, it took another few moments for Elyria to reconcile the man before her with the sylvan guard, and by the time she might’ve said something, Shep was already leading his horse over to where Jocelyn and the human guards lingered by the gate.
Motion brought her attention back to where Cedric was dismounting, slipping off his horse in one fluid movement. He kept the reins clenched in his fist, his horse padding behind him as he finished his approach, bending at the waist in greeting to Lord Church, Elyria, and Kit.
“My lord,” Cedric said evenly. “My ladies.”
Lord Church gave the knight a nod of acknowledgment.
Tenny drew up beside her father, beaming at Cedric. “Feeling ready?” she asked. “Said all your goodbyes?”
Elyria didn’t miss the way his eyes flicked to her before settling back on Tenny. “Ready as I’ll ever be, I suppose.”
“Well, at least the journey should afford you plenty of time to cement that readiness.” She sighed, toying with the chain of her locket. “I wish I was going with you. How utterly fascinating it would be to visit the Midlands, let alone get to see a sylvan settlement. Elderglade is said to be home to the best healers on the continent.”
Lord Church exhaled through his nose, his lips turned up in a good-natured smile even as he shook his head. “One day, Portentia.Just not today.”
“I wish you could come too,” said Cedric.
“You’re only saying that because you know I’d be handy to have around.”
He chuckled. “Your prowess as a saint would be useful, granted. But far more compelling as a reason is simply the fact that you’d make for far better company.”
“I heard that,” called Tristan in a sing-song voice from where he and Ollie conversed from the backs of their separate horses.
“I meant you to,” Cedric called back, mimicking his tone. The exchange was so unexpectedly lighthearted that Elyria found herself releasing a laugh of disbelief.
With a chuckle of her own, Tenny threw a quick wave to Tristan and looped her arm over her father’s. “Good luck, Ric,” she said. “Do try to return to us in one piece, won’t you?” And then she was pulling her father over toward the gate.
Cedric was left standing next to his horse, staring somewhat dumbfoundedly at Elyria and Kit.
“Sir Thorne,” said Elyria.
He blinked at her. “Where is Sid?” he asked, the words rushing out, like he didn’t really mean for them to escape.
Elyria shrugged, pressing her lips together to hide the smirk that wanted to slip out at his obvious nervousness. “Damned if I know. Flitting in and out of the shadows as she does, I just have to assume she’ll keep up if she wants to. The insane little thing does as she pleases.”
“I wonder where she gets that from.”
