“This has naught to do with you,” he bit. “And you’d do well to learn something it’s made clear you have not learned. In matters that do not involve you, you should keep your mouth shut.”

Oh no.

Man, woman, child, yeti, that was no way to speak to Jasmine.

But it must be said, especially a man.

I straightened, feeling Hera and Rosehana coming alert beside me.

“What did you just say?” Jazz whispered.

“Jasmine,” I called in a firm tone.

“Cass needs some time to himself,” Mac stated.

“He’s had that,” Jazz retorted. “Now he needs someone to help him extricate his head from his arse.”

Mac straightened as well, Ian doing the same when Mac did, and I adjusted my feet, which were stretched out before me, so I could get them under me much more swiftly if need be.

“I do not like how you speak of my brother,” Mac gritted.

“Macrinus,” Ian murmured calmingly.

“I do not like how your brother treats my sister,” Jazz returned.

“He is not treating her any way,” Mac fired back.

Jazz leaned toward Macrinus. “Exactly.”

Mac made a growly noise in his throat.

I took my feet.

All eyes rose to me.

“I’ll go to him,” I said.

Hera, Rose and Ian looked relieved.

Mac and Jazz still looked angry, though not at me.

“Take your weapons,” Hera advised.

I nodded.

When Cassius went rambling, he always took his broadsword and his dagger.

I could only assume he did not wander far, but I did not know.

What I did know was that in this area of Wodell, there was aught but pixies, some woodland fairies, a few clans of sprites and some harmless gnomes. There weren’t even many settlements, but a hamlet here or there, which was one of the reasons we chose this meandering route. It took more time to get to The Enchantments, but there was less chance for us to run into anyone, a princess and prince journeying with a small guard, less chance of any trouble.

Of course, Zees roamed Wodell freely.

However, at this time of year, they would be traveling south, closer to the border of Firenze, in order to spend autumn and winter in milder climes.

My dagger was already tucked into its sheath at my belt.

I left my sword, which was resting on the fallen log beside me, and took up my shaft, which was laying in the leaves behind me.

I would need none of them, but when it came to fighting, I preferred the staff, mostly because I was more adept at using it.

I stepped over the log and walked to where I saw Cassius disappear into the forest.

There, I knelt, gathered my power, touched the ground, and his footsteps illuminated with a soft lilac glow.

He was a large man and thus had large feet.

Hmm.

I straightened and followed, the prints I passed disappearing behind me.