The cool liquid slowly slides down my throat, and I take in its delectable taste with unhurried appreciation. When it hits my stomach, I set the mug down lightly and face Lin.

“The rest of you will leave tomorrow. I’ll stay.”

At that, Lin jumps from his seat. “Are you mad?! Has the ale already intoxicated you? You want us to leave you behind to finish the mission alone?!”

I say nothing. Instead, I grind my back teeth.

“Braizen, are you listening to yourself? The Wood is full of dark magic, aimed right at the girl, no less! A girl you can’t even touch! Do you seriously think we’d let you go on by yourself?”

“I didn’t ask because if it were up to you, I know that you wouldn’t.”

Lin leans toward me with a sour expression, and I stiffen.

“I’m ordering you—not as your boss, but as your Prince—to return without me.”

He slips down to the bench, shoulders slumped.

Torrent and Lorna fly around the corner a few moments later, without Idalia.

“Where is she?” I demand. My voice is harsh, but they don’t seem to notice.

Lorna points behind her. “One of the old witches took her into her house. We tried to follow her in, but there was, well, something stopped us, like an invisible wall. Another witch came out and told us to wait back here.” She leans over to catch her breath.

Torrent scans the area as if searching for Nuri, then looks at me and shrugs.

“It’s true, Boss. We tried.”

Lin hasn’t moved; he hasn’t even looked up at them. He’s still staring at me, dumbfounded.

Lorna approaches the table, takes a swig of my ale, then slams it down next to Lin; froth splashes his cheek. He doesn’t flinch.

“What’s his problem?” She jerks her head, and her brows rise.

Torrent leaps towards us and tousles Lin’s hair. “He probably just realized that I’m smarter than him. Took you long enough, Speck!”

Lorna sits and takes a bite of her food, eyeing Lin through narrowed eyes. She meets my gaze and swallows. “What’s going on, Braizen?”

“You’re crazy,” Lorna hisses violently. “And a total jackass if you think for one second, I’m leaving you with her.”

“It’s not up to you,” I counter with a sigh.

“Like hells, it’s not!” She yells and flings her cup onto the table. “Since when did you decide to be our Prince? Last I checked, we were a band. A family. We make decisions together.” She stands and walks away, her arms crossed tightly. “She’s gotten to you. I knew she would. That’s why I said you shouldn’t have come in the first place.”

“Lorna,” Torrent warns, his voice low.