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Lord Hadrian rubbed his salt and pepper beard. “And what does our queen say to this?”
“I would love nothing better than to have Sabina at my side,” Solia replied. “Rightfully, she should be the first lady of Tenebra to join my retinue. But I will not overrule you in this, my lord. Such a decision regarding your own household must be yours to make.”
Before he could answer, Callen burst into the tent. At the sight of his sword in his hand, Cassia’s heart leapt into her throat. Solia’s and Lord Hadrian’s hands were already on their hilts.
“The king is coming,” Callen announced.
FAMILY REUNION
Instinctive nausea rose in Cassia’s throat. Sweat broke out between her shoulder blades. Her body wanted to flee like a prey animal.
Then she felt Solia clasp her wrist. Her own hand landed on Solia’s wrist in return, and she felt her sister’s pulse racing with the same fear.
Their gazes met. She saw courage in Solia’s eyes. For the first time in fifteen years, they would face this fear together.
“Where is he?” Lord Hadrian asked.
“Coming down the hill from the west,” Callen reported, out of breath.
“Why didn’t our scouts spot him sooner?” Lord Hadrian demanded. “Does he have mages with him?”
Callen shook his head. “No robes in his party, my lord. Otherwise I’d swear there’s magic at work.”
As Cassia’s first flash of panic faded, new horror came over her. Lord Hadrian didn’t realize.
Cassia and Solia were not the ones in the greatest danger from the king. The Hesperines were. They had rid the camp of Aithourians—only for a fire mage to descend upon them.
She felt Lio in her mind, a glancing touch that told her most of his concentration was still on his spell. But he knew something was wrong.
With an act of Will, she focused all her fear on one thought and pushed it in Lio’s direction. Don’t stop casting.
“He must not find any of you,” Lord Hadrian urged. “Sabina will help you escape.”
Sabina hastened Solia and Cassia toward the tent flap. “The king believes I’m at Hadria, so I’m coming with you.”
Cassia shook her head. “I must get to the Hesperines.”
“I’ll send someone.” Lord Hadrian motioned for her and Solia to hurry.
The plan began to take shape in Cassia’s mind. “No. It has to be me. There’s no time to explain. Please, Lord Hadrian, ride out to meet the king. Delay his arrival.”
“I’m coming with you,” Solia said.
“My Queen!” Lord Hadrian protested. “You must go.”
“Distract the king,” Solia bade him.
His face etched with worry, Lord Hadrian bowed his head. “As you will.”
Sabina did not argue. “Miranda and I will have the horses ready and waiting for you outside the camp. Come find us as soon as you can.”
Cassia tried not to imagine what might happen if the king discovered the Hadrians were harboring them. “Will you keep Knight with you?”
“I would be glad for his protection,” Sabina said.
Cassia commanded her hound to guard Sabina, then ducked out of the tent with her sister.
“This way.” Cassia took Solia’s hand and guided her toward the northwest, pulling them behind a tent that would hide them from view. “Can you traverse?”
