My mouth trembled, and I forced myself to look down.
Grabbing his sword, Reese stood abruptly. A Solheart approached us—his father, Lord Tiernan.
To the man’s credit, he looked like he’d been elbow deep in the chaos: Coat removed, sleeves rolled up, covered in sweat and blood.
“I have orders for you,” Lord Tiernan announced. “Orders the Lecovair throw their full support behind.”
“That never bodes well,” Reese muttered.
“That monster cannot be allowed to roam free. Pursue the phoenix—whatever it truly is—and kill it.” Lord Tiernan glanced at me. “And take your new apprentice with you.”
I looked up sharply. For a moment, I felt hope. The Lecovair had accepted me and would tell the lords of the land to leave me be.
But he had just ordered us to track down Brighid. And kill her.
“We’ll leave first thing in the morning,” Reese promised.
“Good.” The lord stared daggers at me. “You'd best hope you don't disappoint, girl.” Turning on his heel, he marched away.
Reese ran a hand through his hair. He didn’t look any more eager to follow his father’s orders than I did.
“Will you be okay here?” He asked, looking at me with soft, tender eyes.
I nodded. “I couldn’t stand being in there anymore.”
“I’m going to lend Agendra a hand.” He took a step away, then paused. “If you need me for anything at all, shout. I’ll come.”
“Even if I was screaming from a country away?”
“I wouldn’t let you get a country away, Sunshine.” He smiled faintly. “I’d find you.”
Clenching my uninjured hand, I watched him walk away. This mission would be hell for more reasons than I could count.
I closed my eyes again, but the sound of crunching leaves shook me awake.
A man shrouded in a heavy cloak stepped from behind my tree and knelt by my side. I had a feeling I knew who it was, even before he threw back the cowl.
Liam’s eyes retained a trace of mist—they made his pale green irises look white.
“Liam!” I sat up. “Where have you been?”
“Keeping out of sight, in case anyone saw my little parlor trick.”
“Isaw it—what were you thinking?”
“That you were about to be eaten by a dragon.” He offered me a hand. “Come here. We’ve been summoned.”
“Must you word it so ominously?” I took his hand, grimacing as he hauled me up.
Everything burned. My back ached.
Wrapping an arm around me, Liam guided me to the walls behind my tree. He glanced back, ensuring no one watched us, then stomped the earth beside the stone. The earth rose in unnatural square formations, forming a stairway ascending the wall’s height.
“Up. Quickly," Liam whispered, running ahead of me.
Cursing, I hiked up my tattered dress and followed him. When I reached the top, I hesitated. A forest extended well past the fort's bounds, blanketed in lingering smoke.
Liam leaped off the wall and landed on the other side. He beckoned for me to follow.
