our races are engaging in. “I mean, they may want to kill you, but…” I shrug, recalling what Grayson said about the magicians pulling their mages from the front lines. Perhaps change is on the horizon.
“I like a challenge.” His eyes are bright, and I can’t hold back my laugh, imagining the magicians I know while Naril stalks them like prey.
“Are you two okay now? Can we continue?” Tor asks, his tattooed arms folded across his chest as he smirks down at us. Glancing at the elf, we both laugh and push to our feet. We can’t afford to sit around for long, we still have a long journey ahead of us, but I feel like a weight has been lifted off of me as we climb.
It takes days to get through the mountains, and although it’s much colder up here and hard work navigating the uneven terrain, it’s breathtakingly beautiful. Some areas we have to get off the horses and walk alongside them, carefully picking through rocks, but mostly we’re able to ride, pitching our tents each evening. I sleep alone each night, despite the hot looks I receive from both Vaeril and Tor.
We’ve been riding for several hours, the sun is high in the sky, and I’m watching a golden hawk that’s been following us for the last hour or so. It’s a beautiful bird, the sun glinting off the distinctive gold colouring at the edges of its feathers as it uses the thermals to glide alongside us.
“Clarissa,” Tor calls, his voice low and uncharacteristically serious as he pulls his horse up beside mine. I glance over and my smile drops. Something tightens inside me when I see his expression. “We’ll be arriving at the meeting place soon.”
“The meeting place?” I question, confused at the emphasis he puts on ‘meeting place,’ like it’s a title rather than a place to meet.
Taking pity on me, he smiles slightly, but it’s tight. “It’s where all the tribes gather to discuss business. Our leader, a group of her advisers, and her followers live there and maintain our sacred stone, where our religious rules are kept,” he explains, his gaze going distant for a moment as he talks of his people. “They are the only tribe that doesn’t wander like the rest of us, but they have a greater purpose.” Taking a deep breath, he glances over at me again, but he looks worried, like he’s not sure how I’m going to take what he’s going to say next.
“Remember how I said that I took a magical oath?” He is almost pleading for understanding, so I nod my head, showing that I remember, but he’s making me nervous. “Just know I couldn’t tell you what you’re about to learn, no matter how much I wanted to. Besides, until we arrive, I’m not even a hundred percent sure that I’m right about my suspicions anyway.” He believes that about as much as I do.
Leaning back in my saddle, I run my eyes over him, taking in the change in his appearance. The whole journey, Tor has been his usual confident, charming self, but now he seems edgy and distant. “You’re making me nervous, Tor.”
Growling low in his throat, he runs a hand through his hair, avoiding my gaze as he faces forward. “If I’m right, then you’re about to find your family.” Why doesn’t he seem happy about that? This has been something he’s been encouraging me to do, saying I should follow him to his people, that I would be welcome here. So why does he seem so different now?
“I don’t understand.” Staring at his profile, I grit my teeth when he refuses to look at me. I know he can feel my eyes on him because his jaw tightens as I watch. Clenching my hands around the reins, I breathe out slowly to stop myself from throwing something at him. Vaeril and Naril are riding just behind us, and I can feel their curious gazes on us, but they stay just far enough back that they’re not actively involved in the conversation. I glance over my shoulder, and Naril quickly looks away, pretending he wasn’t listening in, but my mate just tilts his head slightly to one side as if asking a question. Are you okay? I don’t hear the words, but I feel them in that place where the bonds reside. That’s what I like about Vaeril. He doesn’t sugar-coat anything, no false smiles or honeyed words.
My lips twitch up