“Yes.” Her response was clipped and, thankfully, the Mage ahead dropped the topic quickly. But the damage was done, and her face was completely closed off again.
Fuck.
We rode in complete silence for a few minutes before Sasori spoke in Faylinn’s ear. I didn’t hear what she said, but Faylinn jerked her head “no” in response. Sasori sat back and gave me a wan smile. “We’re going to go ride with Ilyas and Lex for the remainder of the journey, unless you have need of us, General?”
Yes, I do have need. Of Faylinn. I wanted to grab her and affix her to the front of my horse again, clutch her to my chest, hissing cat and all.
But I didn’t. I didn’t even know if she felt the pull between us, or if it was just me overanalyzing her curiosity and categorizing it as interest in me rather than interest in knowledge.
“No need, Sasori,” I said curtly. She clicked her horse into a canter, quickly pulling away from Balios and me.
I kept my eyes trained on Sasori and Faylinn, waiting, but Faylinn didn’t glance back once. Not as we crossed into Vespera, not as we entered the city, and not even as we dismounted in the stables attached to the palace.
The Mages gathered together after passing our horses and tack off to the stable boys, waiting for my instructions.
“It goes without being said, but nothing that happened over the past few weeks is to leave this company. Once I debrief with Lord d’Refan, youwill be given a missive of what is declassified. For now, go. Refill your magic—the rooms should be available at the Academy. Then return to your families. Grieve the dead. Report back in two days’ time.” My instructions were curt, the journey wearing on me and my company.
All I wanted was to wash the stink and dirt of the previous few weeks from my body and fall into my bed. But all of that would have to wait. The debrief with Alois and introduction of Faylinn had to come first.
My eyes swirled around the stables as the Mages and their Vessels began to disperse.
I spotted her, finally, hovering in close proximity to Lex, Ilyas, and Sasori, ignoring me completely.
That won’t do.
“Lex,” I called. He and his two Vessels, Faylinn in tow, halted just at the door. “Go with your Bonded and refill. Put it on the Academy’s tab. You are not to report back for a week unless you are specifically called. Am I clear?”
“Crystal, General,” Lex intoned, his voice devoid of emotion. He motioned for Ilyas and Sasori, and Faylinn tried to sneak out with them.
“Faylinn,” I called, just as they were leaving the stables. “You’re with me.”
Her nod was curt, her mouth a thin line as she turned and regarded me. Her gaze didn’t linger long even as I swept from the stables, motioning for her to follow.
Chapter 47
Faylinn
Vespera was everything the General and Mages described, and then some. It was vast, buildings and streets winding together from the outer edge, becoming more compact as we traveled toward the center. There were definitive sections as well, the architecture and details changing as we exited the concentration of one people and entered another. It was a blend of so many different styles and textures that it should look odd and tacky.
But it only stood to reinforce the beauty of it all.
There were buildings taller than I’d ever seen with people and clothing hanging out the windows, surrounded by lower buildings and storefronts. A constant hum served as the soundtrack for life as people gossiped, laughed, and made deals. The smells were almost overwhelming, a mixture of exotic food, animals, and sweat permeated the air and I had to scratch my nose more than once.
I was sure that if General d’Alvey glanced back at any point, my eyes would be the size of dinner plates as I took it all in, but he never did. Instead, he strode quickly and purposefully down a small, paved walkway separate from the street, which was full of carriages and horses. I’d never seen the walkway split from the road like this, and it was beyond intriguing. Therewas never enough activity to warrant a change like this in Isrun or any of the villages in close proximity, but I could see the merits of it in a place like this.
Every few feet there was a metal pole stuck into the ground with a clear orb sitting atop it. The sunlight glinted off the orb, sending a spectrum of light and colors to dance on the ground and off the sides of the buildings. It was beautiful, but I was entirely too curious about what the orbs did. I wanted to stop and examine the strange pole and touch the orb if I could, but the General was not paying attention to me, and I would undoubtedly be lost in this maze of a place if I didn’t keep up with him.
I hustled to catch up to the General, his long strides purposeful and hurried, people quickly ducking out of his way with nods of deference and muted “General” as he passed. I drew even with him and pulled in a few huffing breaths.
“Will . . . you . . .please. . . slow down! I can’t keep up with your gargantuan legs!”
He didn’t acknowledge that I spoke, didn’t even glance in my direction, but he did slow his pace enough that I wasn’t running to keep up with him.
“Thank you,” I panted.
Our pace wasn’t leisurely, but it did give me the chance to observe more of the buildings and people as we passed.
“This place is enormous,” I said.
