on my skin and thanked goodness I hadn’t had to walk too much.
Reluctantly, I pulled my feet out of the water and reassembled my clothing before Wolfe sent someone to collect me. However, as I strolled back to the men, my eyes darting over them, there was no sign of Wolfe … or Chaeron. Puzzled, I searched for them.
Just as I was about to draw near the first group, I caught a flash of color out of the corner of my eye. Turning toward the trees, I saw Wolfe’s green military jacket. He’d had to borrow it from one of the Guard. Curious as to why Wolfe and Chaeron were huddled in the woods, I eyed the men to see if any were watching me. I was somewhat disappointed to see that none of them were, too busy eating and talking among themselves.
Excellent guarding, gentlemen.
Rolling my eyes, I snuck away and edged closer to Wolfe and Chaeron. I left my horse and stopped a few trees back from them, hidden in the shade.
“I just don’t know if it’s a good idea.” Lieutenant Chaeron exhaled.
“I have to,” Wolfe insisted, his voice flat.
“I could do it.”
“No, it has to be me.” Wolfe shook his head. “If Rogan’s going up into the mountains, then I’m going to be the one protecting her.”
Chaeron sighed again. “Things are difficult between you as it is.”
“I know. But I won’t let my feelings get in the way of my duty. Which is to protect her.”
“What will I tell the men?”
“Tell them I’ve taken Rogan on a tour of Alvernia, to let her see for herself what the area and the people are really like, so she can report back to the princezna.”
“They’ll think it’s insane. They’ll wonder why you’ve gone alone, perhaps even speculate …”
“If any one of my men utters a derogatory word against Lady Rogan, I want you to deal with them.”
Chaeron sucked in his breath as if insulted. “You know I would, Captain.”
“Good. Tell them the Alvernians are paranoid, suspicious. A royal entourage traipsing around their land would be seen as an act of aggression. Tell them that Lady Rogan and I are going incognito.”
“All right.” There was a moment of silence between them before Chaeron peered at Wolfe with genuine concern. “Wolfe,” he said softly, surprising me by using his given name, “you’ve never been into the mountains. A few of the men here have. They’d be better suited to escort Miss Rogan.”
Wolfe shook his head determinedly, his jaw set. “I won’t let her go into that without me.” He shoved a hand through his hair in obvious frustration, appearing vulnerable and lost. “I would not be able to … It would drive me mad thinking of her out there without me …”
Chaeron placed a hand on Wolfe’s shoulder. “All right.”
I backed away as stealthily as I could, the blood rushing in my ears and flooding my cheeks. I walked numbly back to the men with my horse; I saw nothing and heard nothing as we mounted and set off.
Wolfe was furious with me but he still cared. Cared enough to follow me into the heart of the Alvernian Mountains where the chances of us both coming to harm was great.
No. I shook my head, ignoring Chaeron’s concerned looks. I wouldn’t go into the mountains with Wolfe. I had to keep my distance. I had to stay focused on finding the plant, and I couldn’t do that if I was worrying about Wolfe.
I had to get away from him somehow.
When we reached Arrana, I had to leave and set off into the mountains alone. It didn’t matter if I had an escort. Only I knew the way to the Pool of Phaedra, and my magic would get me there. I just had to be careful and remember the route up so I could get back down the mountain without fault.
That night, we made it to Arrana. Smaller than the other cities, Arrana was also more heavily fortified, with a fifteen-foot wall snaking around its border. Like one of the keeps used thousands of years ago when the mages first came to Phaedra, the city had a moat, drawbridge, and armored guards. We had to wait for permission to enter, and as we crossed the sturdy bridge into the city, I frowned in disapproval. There were no wars in Phaedra. No need for city walls and moats and drawbridges. I understood the vojvoda was nervous of the mountain people of Alvernia—I was nervous of