“I am on my way to see Vasile and his wolves. Should I send him a message?”
“Tell him he’s either with us, or against us.”
Cyn moved with purpose as she crossed through the veil. Her mind was so distracted on what she had just seen and heard that she didn’t realize where she had taken herself until she heard his voice.
“Twice in one day, Guardian,” Thalion spoke up as he watched Cyn move through the forest toward him as if she were a part of it. “I feel honored. What brings you back into my realm so soon female?” the flirtatious tone in his voice was one that she usually welcomed, but he noticed that she did not respond in kind.
“As much as I enjoy your teasing Prince, I must ask that we forgo that part of our usual conversation.”
Thalion noticed once she was closer that her face was taught with worry, her body rigid with the need to act.
“What has happened?” he asked with urgency brought on by her obvious unease.
“You mentioned that Gerick had seemed off today when you saw him, so I thought perhaps I should check on the Warlock King and make sure all was well,” she explained. “It turns out that all is far from well.”
“Are they sick?”
“Something has twisted them. The last thing Cypher said to me was that he was going to war with the trolls.”
Thalion took a step towards her, setting down the bow he had been holding.
“War?” he asked.
She nodded. “But that wasn’t the only thing. Their eyes glowed red.”
“Cypher’s?”
“Not just his, all of them, every warlock, male and female had glowing red eyes,” Cyn shuddered inwardly at the picture in her mind. “Their eyes glowed red,” she continued, “and their faces were a mask of anger.”
“Did Cypher say anything else?” Thalion asked as he took a step towards her.
“I told him I was going to see Vasile and asked if there was a message he would like me to give to him. I just wanted to see what he would say.” Her eyes met his. “He told me to tell Vasile that the wolves were either with them or against them.”
“Cypher is willing to risk going to war with the wolves?” Thalion shook his head. “That is not the Cypher that we know Cyn.”
“I agree,” she told him.
“Have you told Vasile?”
She shook her head. “I thought I was on my way there, but then I ended up here.”
Thalion’s full lips spread into a smile. “Are you worried for my safety, Guardian? Were you coming to protect me?”
Cyn rolled her eyes. “I was coming to tell you not to make the weapons for them. Cypher plans to use them against the trolls.”
“You’re right. We definitely do not want the warlocks to have Elvin weapons if they are going to possibly wield them against the trolls,” his eyebrows drew together as he looked at her. He seemed to be studying her features as he took yet another step towards her. “I find myself rather frustrated at the moment,” he said.
Cyn tilted her head to the side. “Why?” she asked slowly.
“Because I’ve finally have you in my life again,” he paused.
“And that frustrates you?”
He chuckled. “No love, what frustrates me is that everyone seems hell bent on killing each other when all I want to do is spend time with the woman I love, which I can’t do because the woman I love has a kind and generous heart and refuses to leave these species to their own demise.”
She smiled warmly and blushed. “You think I’m generous?”
Thalion took another large step towards her and wrapped her in his arms. She gasped at the speed of his movements, but didn’t push him away.