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“I know,” Lio said.
Rudhira gave a nod and released him.
“Lio and I are done with secrecy,” Cassia protested.
It was a consolation that she was willing to advocate for something so impossible, when she knew the political delicacy of the situation better than anyone.
But it was still impossible.
He touched her medallion, and for the first time, the disc around her neck felt heavy. “We must not do anything to harm Hesperines’ reputation in Tenebra, which could bring harm on our people.”
Her aura burned with a sense of injustice, but then her gaze dropped. “I would never do anything to put them at risk.”
Lio hated the words, but he said them. “You still need your reputation among the Tenebrans, as well, if you are to have a place at your sister’s side.”
That earned him a rare concession from Solia. “Lio is right. Don’t do anything to endanger your position here. Rest assured that once I take the throne, I will have the power to dissolve the betrothal.”
“We need a faster solution,” Cassia insisted.
Lio rested a hand on her lower back, and he was satisfied with the little shiver that went through her body at his touch. “You nearly died for the treaty with the Allied Lords. We will not do anything that places that victory at risk. But we will make it clear to Flavian that his claim is null. I will find a way.”
Solia fixed her gaze on him. “Do not do anything rash.”
He put a hand on his medallion. “I, a Hesperine diplomat? I would never.”
Her eyes narrowed.
“Lio will not need to do anything.” Cassia’s aura tightened with anger. “I dare that betrothal to survive my first conversation with Flavian.”
Kalos’s arrival interrupted her. While he paused to greet Knight, she pressed her lips together for a moment. When she turned to him, she gave him a smile and tapped the green pin. “Any inkling where the letting site at Patria might be?”
“I’m afraid not,” Kalos said. “I’d go scouting for you, but my intrusion would break our agreement with the Allied Lords.”
Lio said, “Not if they never knew you were there.”
“Oh, I could dance on the council table without the lords noticing,” Kalos agreed. “It’s the Cordian war mage who gives me pause. I’ve gotten in and out of the Magelands and lived to tell the tale, so I wouldn’t mind a secret scouting trip to Patria under the Dexion’s nose, except that the consequences could be far worse.”
Cassia’s aura sharpened with protectiveness. “What could be worse than you being taken prisoner by the Mage Orders for being a heretic trespassing in their territory?”
“Mortal politics,” Kalos said. “I don’t want to ruin all our diplomats’ hard work, or Solia’s overthrow, or start a civil war.”
“And we don’t want to put you in that position.” Cassia sighed. “Surely it won’t be too difficult for me to find the letting site. Won’t I sense it?”
Kalos tilted his head. “It’s hard to say. It depends on how your ancestors hid it. But if the Changing Queen intended you to find it one day, I think you’ll know it when you’re near. It will draw you.”
“We’re grateful for everything you’ve done,” Lio said, his heart heavy. “Our delegation, with Solia’s help, will have to search for the letting site.”
Lio could not leave Cassia in the protection of the Summit Sanctuary while someone else faced danger for her. Not only did politics make that impossible, but she would never stand for it.
“The Hesperine delegation will find welcome at Patria,” Lio continued. “When the allied lords departed Orthros after the Solstice Summit, they invited Cassia and me to return to Tenebra with them. I believe now is when we should take them up on their offer.”
Mak smirked. “And they’ll have to tolerate a couple of warriors in the bargain.”
Lyros nodded. “I don’t think they will object to our presence. We earned their respect in the gymnasium during the Summit.”
“Tilili is an excellent hunter,” Kella spoke up, “and quite sensitive to magic. She and I can assist with the search too.”
“I also wonder,” said Tuura, “if channeling the natural phase has anything in common with channeling the spirit phase, perhaps I could adapt my spells for detecting spirit tears.”
