Silvanus affected yet another grand bow and Cassius’s lips were twitching as he turned and walked out of the glade.

Elena did not stir during the long walk back.

And she did not stir when he made their camp and immediately faced three of their infuriated party, all standing, ready to confront him.

Though two of that party shifted instantly to alarm.

Hera took a step forward, asking urgently, “Is she—?”

“Shh,” Cass hushed her quietly, but sharply. “She’s asleep.”

Hera stopped dead and stared up at him in shock. “Asleep?”

He had been correct.

Elena would not allow what was currently happening.

Unless she was completely comfortable in her company.

His gut got tight at the thought, and it was a feeling like the one he felt at the weight he held in his arms.

Heavy.

And light.

“We encountered Zees,” Cass explained, still speaking quietly.

Her face lighted as she hummed, “Ah.”

Rosehana was grinning.

“Are you joking with that?” Ian bit.

“No,” Cassius answered.

“You were set upon by Zees?” Ian demanded.

“‘Set upon’ might be strong wording,” Cassius prevaricated, for they were, and then they were not.

“You’ve been gone hours.”

“We have. But it was clear from Elena’s behavior you do not spurn a Zee’s hospitality.”

“You don’t,” Rosehana affirmed.

“And they had good wine,” Cassius added.

“They always have good wine. They don’t bother robbing the merchants who transport poor-quality grape,” Hera muttered.

“Wine? Zee hospitality? Again, are you joking with that?” Ian demanded.

He looked to his friend. “I am not. We were fine, but I understand your concern and I apologize for causing it.”

At this, it was Ian who was staring up at him.

“Did Mac and Jasmine go looking—?” he began.

Cassius did not finish this as he heard a low, long, feminine moan coming from Mac’s tent.

He narrowed his eyes on the tent.

Then he did the same at Ian.

“They’ve been at it all night, practically since Elena followed you,” Ian informed him. “Though, I will note, it began with them wrestling an entirely different way. It just changed, not surprisingly, as they rolled closer to his tent.”

Bloody Mac.

Cass nearly smiled.

“Which I hope means he’ll tire her out and soon so the rest of us can sleep,” Hera muttered.

“Hmm,” Rosehana hummed, catching Hera’s attention.

She took one look at her lover’s face before she turned to Cassius.

“You’re here. You’re fine. We’re to bed,” she declared, then, sliding Elena’s staff from his fingers and taking Rosehana’s hand, they headed that way.

Cassius watched them go before looking to Ian.

“Mac and Jazz?” he asked.