Though it was unsaid, they both knew his threat had been an empty one. Caledonia regarded him coolly, daring him to admit that he wasn’t the callous business-man he professed to be.

“Caledonia, you don’t really want me as an ally.” Hesperus took the canteen from her, screwing on the lid and dropping it into a compartment on his rover. “I’m no better than Aric.”

That surprised a dry laugh from Caledonia.

“The only reason I’ve remained in power for as long as I have is because I keep him happy. I make deals. I protect the people who are useful to me by taking advantage of the ones who aren’t.” He fixed her with a hard look. “I meant to hand you over to him, keep your solar scales, and take whatever boon he was willing to offer for your capture. I don’t want you deciding that I’m better than I am. I would have turned you over and never looked back.”

He wanted her to believe it, and part of her did. But there was another part that knew Nettle was right. He wasn’t as terrible as rumors would lead them to believe. Of course, those rumors were a layer of protection. He had every reason to see that they traveled well.

“I believe you,” she said. “Mostly.”

“You should believe me completely.”

“The only people I believe completely are my sisters.”

He laughed. The sound was loud and joyful; it rolled in his throat and brightened his dark-sky eyes. Caledonia couldn’t help but smile in return, and Hesperus let the laugh rumble in his chest before receding into his gruff exterior. She liked him. Always, in spite of herself.

“If you’re feeling ready, we should move.” He rose to his feet and retrieved two lanterns from his rover, handing one to Caledonia. The swordlike shape she’d seen before gracefully passing out was nothing more than the slender roll he kept them in. “We’ll need these inside, and it’ll be dark by the time we make it back up.”

“Up?” They’d traveled straight into the woods with mountains rising ahead of them. The only way down was back the way they’d come.

Hesperus gave her a tight smile. He flipped on his lantern and made for the opening of the cave, pausing to ensure Caledonia followed.

Inside the cave was deep sea black but for the bluish bands of their lanterns. The passage bent immediately around a corner and from there narrowed so severely that Hesperus had to turn sideways to squeeze through an opening in the wall. Without him, Caledonia might never have registered the small gash as an opening at all.

Beyond that point, the corridor widened, while the mossy air pressed in close, absorbing the sounds of their footsteps. It was warmer here, and soon a layer of sweat covered Caledonia’s arms and chest.