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“No? She and Fordham are gone. She chose him, as you well remember.”
“I remember,” he snarled.
“If you want to run off after your lost love like a fool, then be my guest.”
He arched an eyebrow. “I am where I am supposed to be.”
“You’re only here with me because you have nowhere else to go.”
“I am here with you,” he said, closing the last stretch of distance, “because I believe you will make a difference in this ongoing war.”
“Am I not making a difference?”
“You are doing exactly as they want you to—nothing.”
She reared back at that. “I am barely holding this place together.”
“You are waiting for your brother to return.”
“I don’t want the throne. If you are arguing that I should take it from him—”
Dozan held a hand up. “I am suggesting that you make alliances with others who feel this way. Contact the tribes, find the dragons, free the people. Do something to earn your freedom again.”
His hand slid down her cheek, brushing a strand of her white-blonde hair out of her face. She stilled under his ministrations, wondering if she was even breathing at that touch. His eyes searched her face, looking half-ready to devour her. And to her shock, she felt ready to let him.
At that thought, she wrenched backward out of his grasp. Disappointment clouded his features for barely a breath. This was complicated. It would only make things harder in the long run. She couldn’t … she couldn’t do this. No matter if she wanted to or not.
“I’ll take that into consideration.”
Then, she strode down the dais steps, leaving him alone before the throne and knowing he was right. She had more to do. A lot more to do. Damn him!
40
The Journey
Keres didn’t waste any time.
Each of them was handed a pack and given a horse before they galloped away from Keres’s palace on the outskirts of the city. Kerrigan was sure that she heard a roar of anger as they departed, but it had to be her imagination. She shuddered at the thought of Vulsan following them. Though Keres appeared less concerned, and her confidence bolstered the rest of the party as they crossed the terrain.
Their party of five moved with grace with Keres as their leader, Cleora and Danae riding in the middle, and Kerrigan and Fordham taking up the rear. Danae was still brushing tears from her eyes as they left. This was the first time she’d ever left her father. They’d exchanged a heartfelt good-bye, but ultimately, Constantine had to return to his men, leaving Danae in Cleora’s care. Danae looked petrified, as if she couldn’t quite believe that this was her new life. Cleora wasn’t exactly a reassuring presence either. She never had been for Kerrigan, but Cleora had helped her in her darkest hour. Kerrigan trusted her to do the same for Danae.
Fordham hadn’t said much after they agreed to leave. There was so much to discuss and so little time or room to say any of it. It wasn’t as if he were an open book to begin with. He would have to come to terms with being Daijan and what that meant for the future. But only heal would heal what had happened. Kerrigan just hoped there was still time to heal her magic.
“Okay,” Keres said, raising her fist over her head an hour later. The sun was nearly gone from the horizon, and there would be little chance of continuing. They all slowed to meet her. “I believe our ride is up ahead at this little town.”
Kerrigan furrowed her brow. “Ride?”
“We’re a little conspicuous on our own, don’t you think?” Keres asked. “Two Doma, a Fae, an academy scholar, and a servant girl.”
Well, when she put it like that.
“I sent a summons to an old friend. I never know quite where he’s going to be, but he usually comes through in a pinch.”
No one felt up to arguing with her. Anything to not be in the saddle for a few days was preferable.
They trotted to the border of the little town. It was about the size of the one Kerrigan had first stumbled into on her first day in Domara. She’d known so little about this world then. And now, her own prejudice was showing as she assumed anyone here would also want to take advantage of them. To her surprise, every person who saw Keres bowed with deep reverence and hurried about their business.
“They know you here,” Kerrigan said, coming to her mother’s side.
“Indeed. I’ve been through before. I chose this town for a reason.” She smiled and waved at another couple who passed them.
“You’re not worried they’re going to betray you?”
Keres shrugged. “They could, I suppose. Though I don’t think they would have reason to suspect I am running from my own husband. They’re just honored to have a Doma in their presence.” Kerrigan wrinkled her nose, and Keres just laughed. “It’s ostentatious, I know. But it suits us for today.”
