But in this instance, that was not happening.

“I adore you, and as I do, I will have you safe,” he told her.

“And I adore you, and as I do, I will have you safe,” she told him.

His patience was waning.

Quickly.

“I will not belittle your work with your dagger, with Kyril, the strength of your will, the intelligence of your mind, but Silence, this is war.”

“And I will ride with you.”

“You will be naught but a blight on my mind.”

It was not the right thing to say, but it was true.

She did not get angry at his words.

She remained true to her theme.

“I cannot leave you.”

“You will not be going with me.”

“I will not leave you.”

“Why?” he bit.

“I do not know, but I cannot, Mars. I just simply cannot,” she returned.

“This is wasting time we do not have,” he ground out. “Cass and Elena are in danger and we’re bloody weeks away.”

“Then we should ride. Immediately.”

“We will. Me northeast, and you south.”

“Mars, I—”

“This conversation is over.”

“Mars! I—”

He was done.

“This conversation is over!” he roared.

“It is not!” she thundered back, lifting both fists over her head and thrusting them forward, her hands opening, and from them fired two balls of flame that made him duck, even if they sailed well over his head and would not have hit him.

They dissipated before they struck the wall of the tent, as if she had willed their vanishing before they caused destruction.

Mars straightened slowly, all the while gazing at his wife in disbelief.

But she was gazing where the flames had disappeared and doing it in wonder.

Before he could say another word, her attention jumped to him.

“I ride with you,” she decreed. And then she bustled to her trunk, yelling, “Tril! I need a saddlebag, my warmest cloak and a sturdy gown! And my dagger!”

Tril hurried in.

Mars drew a breath into his nose, turned and strode out of the tent, nearly slamming into Kyril upon exiting it.

“Does the queen prepare to leave?” Kyril asked.

“Yes,” Mars answered. “And she rides with me.”

Prince Cassius

Night Heights Mountain Range

AIREN

Cassius sat astride Caelus, Elena to his right side, sitting her mount, Diana.

Caelus shifted restlessly under him.

Diana stood solid as stone.

He, and his princess, stared down into the trees.

“I am sorry so soon after—” he began.

“It is clever, attacking when they think we hunker down in mourning.”

He turned his head and studied her beautiful profile.

That was, he did this until she faced him.

It was then he studied her beautiful face.

He saw the sadness in her eyes.

And the determination.

And last, that something he treasured so very much.

“What was your card this morning?” he asked quietly.

She scrunched her nose, and by the gods, he started smiling at the sight.