I noted Dravenburg’s words. He didn’t want Tezya to go behind anyone’s back with what was revealed. It was strategic. Find out what the prophecy meant, then weigh the risk as a group together later. Yet, I couldn’t raise my hand. I found myself unable to fathom putting Tezya at risk. I knew it was foolish. That it made me weak and selfish. I was willing to give up something that could change things for the good of our people, only to save one Advenian. I was putting Tezya above everyone in both kingdoms, above humans too. I started to understand some of what Dovelyn was feeling, because even though my mind told me that raising my hand was the right thing to do, my heart couldn’t do it. I didn’t want him to do this.
I looked around the room. Everyone raised their hands except Dravenburg, Dovelyn, and me.
Dravenburg’s voice echoed, “It’s settled then. Tezya, form a small group. Savannah will take you to your mother’s grave at dawn.”
The girl squealed as she clapped her hands together, and I had to bite down on my jealousy.
She was going to lead him, somewhere in the mortal territory, and the idea of them being alone together hit me like a brick.
FIFTEEN
TEZYA
“I want to go with you.”
I was surprised to find Scottie in my tent later that night. She’d barely spoken to me since we first arrived, and it was killing me. I was forcing myself to give her space. I knew she needed time to process everything, but seeing her in front of me now, I had no idea why I was waiting.
Dawn was a few hours away, and I hadn’t figured out who was coming with me. The only people I knew were going were Savannah and Kallon, and I was fine with keeping it just the three of us. The more people who traveled, the bigger the risk. We would be vulnerable out in the open, not protected by the camp’s shield, and I knew the Lux King probably had the entire mortal territory crawling with spies to locate us. It was only a matter of time until they made it north.
He wouldn’t kill me. He’d want me alive, but everyone else…
“You’re better off staying behind to train,” I replied honestly. “I don’t care who you train with, but you need to work on your enhancement.”
“I’ll train with Dovelyn again if you let me go with you.”
“Why?” I asked. I didn’t blame her for not wanting my sister to train her anymore. Hell, I was furious at Dovelyn after she told me everything, and I wanted to kill her myself. But I also knew Dove was Scottie’s best bet at learning her enhancement.
She shrugged. “As much as I don’t particularly like her, I want to get better. I want to help, Tezya. I don’t want to be left behind anymore because I’m not trained.”
“It’s not a good idea for you to go, Rumor, but it has nothing to do with you not being trained.”
She crossed her arms. “Then why?”
“The more people that go, the bigger chance we’re taking at drawing attention.”
“Please, Tezya. I promise I won’t get in the way.”
I met her eyes and saw the pleading look in them. I could sense her, feel how badly she wanted it.
“Okay.” I rubbed at my scab, giving in to her too quickly. “But you have to listen to me. If we get caught, you have to leave with Kallon, no exceptions.” I could tell she was about to fight me on it. She was stubborn to a fault, but if she wanted to come, she had to realize how dangerous it could be. “I don’t want you in his hands again,” I said, lowering my voice. The thought of the Lux King having Scotlind sent a newfound fear down my spine.
She narrowed her eyes. “And what about you?”
“I’ll manage.”
Her eyes flared at my words, but she tried to mask it. The brief moment of worry that crossed her expression was gone in a second. “Fine,” she covered, then walked out of my tent without another word.
“We haveto stop at Ichi’s restaurant first,” Savannah said as I met her at the border of the shield.
“Are we borrowing his car?”
“No.” She didn’t bother to look at me as she started laying winter coats out on the grass. “The hike isn’t accessible to any roads. We’re walking.”
“Then why are we wasting time stopping at Ichi’s?”
“I need coffee,” Savannah replied like it was the most obvious answer, which knowing her, it was. “A large one. The largest cup I can get my hands on.”
“We don’t have time for that, Sav.”
