“Have you heard anything about Victor and Frid?” I asked.
“Not yet. I sent a group of warriors to fly after them when Sage told me.” His tone of voice changed.
“And Sol?” I looked up at Tynan.
“His remains are safely stored, ready for burial. I thought you, Victor, and Frid would want to...” Tynan inhaled, looking down.
“Yes, of course.” I took his hand and squeezed.
Tynan raised his head and a sad smile lifted the corners of his mouth.
“I’m so sorry.” I reached up and raked my hands through his hair.
Tynan closed his eyes, and for a moment, I was mesmerized by his coal black eyelashes, his beautiful, straight eyebrows. The warm toned skin on his cheeks, lightly touched by morningstubble. It would take a whole eternity for me to get tired of this view, and even after that, it would never happen.
Suddenly, the thought that frightened me the most, returned me to the anxious state I was already in.
I had to tell him what Sage and I did, even if it was painful, even if he would hate me. He deserved to know the truth.
“What else did Sage tell you?” I finally submitted to the small voice in my head that urged me to go on.
“He told me that the clans are very unstable. That many warriors are still not entirely sure if they are ready to accept me as their leader.” Tynan glanced at me. “He also told me that every one of them absolutely worships you. And if not for your presence, I would have lost my head at least ten times.” His lips twitched.
“Is that all?” I asked.
Just then a knock came from the door and Tynan got up.
I crumpled the sheet in my hands. Was it possible that Sage never told him anything? He probably wanted me to deal with the consequences, and I could not blame him. It was my idea after all, and I should be on the receiving end of whatever Tynan was going to say, feel, or do. I pressed my lips tightly together.
“Milady?” May’s tentative voice came from the doorway. “Your breakfast?” She was holding a tray in her hands.
Tynan probably asked the servants to bring me breakfast in bed. I glanced up at him. His eyes held so many secrets, secrets that I really wanted to know. But now, he was more guarded, closed up. I wished I could spend more time with him. We needed to talk about what happened.
“I have to get back to the clan meeting,” he said, and for a moment, I could not look away from the way his hand rested on the hilt of his sword with so much authority and quiet power. Then he turned to May and added, “Please make sure Lady Alina gets enough rest. Take care of my wife.”
With that he left the room, leaving me absolutely, utterly speechless.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
FRID
Iquickly finished up with my meal and got up from my chair. Amira stood like a statue, watching the wall in front of her.
“I’m ready,” I said.
Instead of responding, the woman moved to the entrance and we were back in the long, partially lit hall. As we walked through the compound, I noticed that some women, and most of the men had bracelets on their wrists. They did not look oppressed, all were healthy and well groomed. Many of the men wore beards and had long hair.
“How many males do you have in the settlement?” I asked.
Amira squinted her eyes, scrutinizing me.
“Why do you want to know?” she finally responded.
“I’m just curious.”
“Enough. We only let the ones who are willing to be a part of our commune stay. Any troublemakers are instantly pushed out.”
“To the wastelands?”
