I glanced at Flea. “Quain just had to talk it through.” And he made another good point. While my heart agreed with Flea, the logical choice would be to wait. “Let’s hear what Ryne has to say first.”

Flea’s face paled. I turned to him. “Remember, it’s your magic. You decide if and when you’ll use it. Not Ryne. Not me. Not anyone.”

“Yeah, but Prince Ryne will talk circles around me, confusing me, and the next I’d know I’d be doing what he wants.”

“Just follow your instincts.” I reached out to touch his shoulder.

He jumped back in alarm. Stung, I stood with my hand hovering over empty space. I’d thought I had achieved the maximum amount of guilt a person could ever feel, but I was wrong.

* * *

We had a single day before we needed to leave to rendezvous with Captain Drisana. I informed Lieutenant Macon of the situation with Yuri, since those of us who knew were included in the rescue mission.

“He needs no care. He won’t move. Just make sure no one enters this cavern.”

Macon eyed Yuri with a queasy expression. Yuri remained on the cot.

The lieutenant gestured to Yuri. “You sure he won’t move.”

“Yes. I’ve sent a message to Prince Ryne. Once I hear from him, I’ll decide what to do with Yuri.”

“What if you don’t return from the mission?”

Good question. “Then follow Prince Ryne’s advice.”

“And if he causes problems before then?”

“He shouldn’t. But in that case, you can decapitate him.”

Not happy about the situation, Macon grumbled, but agreed to assign a guard at the cavern’s entrance.

I spent the rest of the day checking on my patients with Ginger. Flea avoided me, dashing away any time I even stepped in his direction. I would have laughed if it didn’t hurt so much. The monkeys and Odd packed equipment and sharpened their swords, preparing for the mission. Gathering extra medical supplies, I put together an aid kit in case we had injuries.

We planned to leave an hour before dawn. Most of the team settled down next to the fire right after supper. Flea planted himself between Quain and Loren. They’d only had about four hours of sleep two nights ago. Me, too. But the thought of Tohon’s sleek voice invading my dreams prevented me from lying down. He would gloat with glee, claiming Yuri was more proof that I carried his magic. Bad enough my own fears whispered that very same thing.

A few hours later, Ginger guided me to an empty cot. “Sleep. Or you’ll be useless for the mission,” she said, pressing down on my shoulders.

I perched on the edge, uncertain.