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Casja’s expression tightened. For a moment, it seemed like she would not respond, but then, she did.
“Yes,” she said stiffly.
“Good,” I replied.
Casja’s face went blank. Perhaps she judged me for wishing anguish on Merick. I couldn’t bring myself to care.
“Casja!” Brigid’s voice reached us from behind, interrupting the settling coldness between us. I turned around to watch as Brigid got off the horse and ran at us. Dearen and Gethin rode their horses behind her, as she reached and hugged Casja, they got off and walked toward us. “I’m so glad you’re safe! How did you find us?”
As Brigid and Casja parted, I saw the surprised look on Casja’s face. She was looking at her friend with a confused expression.
Brigid touched the fabric that covered her eyes, understanding Casja’s pause.
“Oh,” Brigid said, noticing Casja’s stare. “This isn’t important. I can still see through it. Tell me, how did you find us?”
“I’ve been looking for you for a week.” Casja paused. “I spoke with a few former monsters and they led me here. I flew over the lands to reach you as quickly as possible.”
“You flew?” Brigid asked, her lips curling with a smile. “I knew you were a powerful tempestarii!”
She hugged Casja again.
“I was just telling Kieran what happened back in Winter Castle,” Casja said to Brigid warningly.
“What happened?” Brigid asked.
Casja seemed hesitant.
“My father is dead,” I told Brigid.
“Oh,” Brigid said, her face becoming longer as sadness took over. “I’m sorry Kieran.”
Gethin stopped walking as he heard Casja’s words and stayed a few paces back as though he did not want to disturb us. Dearen put his hand on my shoulder and squeezed it. I did not see his face, but his intention was obvious.
But I did not want to be consoled. I had abandoned my father and now, he was gone. I did not deserve any sympathy.
“And Fiona is at Winter Castle,” I said. “She is to be married off to Lugh.”
There was a loaded pause.
“We cannot let that happen,” Gethin took a step forward.
His blue eyes were twisted in agony. I knew why. He already felt guilty about leaving Fiona at the arena when she had a broken ankle. He wasn’t to blame for the accident that caused him to do so, but his guilt over it was strong enough that the queen had used it against him to keep him a monster for over ten years.
“I won’t,” I said, meeting his gaze.
“Of course, we won’t,” Dearen replied.
“You can’t...” I whispered. “I don’t want to leave...”
“Jasmine will be safe with me and the monster folk,” Brigid said. “I’ll stay.”
“I will come with you,” Dearen said.
“No,” I said, turning to meet his gaze. “You should stay too. Jasmine will need you two if she...”
I stopped talking.
“You are right,” Dearen said. “We will stay with her. And when she wakes up, we will come and join you.”
