Theyweren’t wrong.Andthey really weren’t going to like whatIsaid next.
“I’mgoing into the forest, andI’mtaking her with me.”
“Nofucking way!Itold youIwouldn’t let you.Noneof our expeditions have come back,Abraxas, none!”
“That’swhyIhave to go myself.Youknow we need this; all our other plans will have been for nothing without the diadem.Thereis no way around this now.”
“See?Thisis whatImean!You’rebeing ridiculous!Thereis another way, we just haven’t found it yet.Wejust need more time.”
Isqueezed their shoulder, “Timeisn’t on our side anymore,Avlyn.It’stime to act.”
Avlynpulled out of my grip. “Iwon’t—Iwon’t support this.Iwon’t go with you.”
Torireally was rubbing off onAvlynfar too much if they thought they could defy me. “Commander, this is an order.”
“No!”Theywere backing away from me now and shaking. “Iwon’t!”
“Areyou refusing a direct order,Commander?”Avlynwas still shaking, andIsaw their hand flick towards their sword for just a moment.Butthey raised themself to their full height and stood their ground.
“Yes.”Theiramber eyes bore into me, and a pang of sadness swept my heart.Butit was paired with a swelling of pride.PerhapsAvlynhad finally outgrown this role.
“Thenyou are dismissed,Avlyn.”
Isaw the whites of their eyes, and their lips trembled as if about to speak.
Icut them off, “Nogoing back now.Getout of here beforeIhave you escorted out.”Thefaces of the guards at the door showed clear division, unsure for a moment about what to do, butAvlynspun and fled the room.
* * *
ToriandIprepared our horses for the journey together.Unsurprisingly, she was quite good with the beast, patting his snout kindly and sneaking him a few sugar cubes.Shewas being uncharacteristically quiet, soIcould tellIwas about to get a lecture.
“Youshouldn’t have sentAvlynaway.”Hereit was.
“Theydefied my direct order, it was non-negotiable.”
Herlips pressed into a firm line, “It’snot that simple, and you know it.Theycare for you; they are concerned for you.”
Iraised an eyebrow at her, “Oh, and now you are an expert on emotional availability?”
Shehit me with those dagger eyes thatIadored, “No, but…” she sighed. “Atthe very least it makes me feel like the wicked stepmother getting between you two.”
“Avlynis over five centuries old;Iwould think they can take care of themselves.”Shestill held her face in that tight expression, soIcouldn’t stop from teasing her.
“So,Itake you down to one magic grotto and now you are the mother of my children?”
Shewent redder than a beetroot. “Arrogantass.Besides, can you imagine what our children would be like?I’mnot ready for that unrelenting cyclone.”Shewinked at me, but my mind had fled.Forjust a momentIlet myself imagine and there she was.Shewas as beautiful as her mother and just as fierce, but with long silver hair that whipped around her face as she stood on the cliff aboveXyrwith me.Hersmile wasTori’sand it had my heart captured in just the same way.
Torilaid her hand upon my cheek, “Abraxas?”
“Shewill be perfect,”Iwhispered, almost like a prayer.SoftnessIso rarely saw crept into her face.
“Ifshe’s half as mischievous as you,Ireally am in trouble.”Sheplaced a gentle kiss on my lips.Thenshe hit me with that smile that practically had me on my knees before she mounted up onto her horse. “Timeto go,Abraxas.”
* * *
Wetraveledfor close to a week to reach the edge of the forest.Springlingered on the wind, and the journey had been smooth.Thesnow had melted from most of the grass and hills around us, leaving only small patches that were shaded from the sun.Wildflowershad started to push through the earth, their colors dancing on the wind.Torihad done well on the journey so far, especially for someone who had never done this before.
“Ihad gone on patrols and small excursions back inNiata,”Inoted how she didn’t say back home, “you know, driving off bandits and settling any disputes, but nothing like this.”Shewas beaming.Sheseemed to be drinking in the scenery, andIoften caught her stroking her horse’s mane absentmindedly.Shehad quickly learned how to set up the tents and never complained about the dried rations, unlike the rest of her cohort.
