Kiki grazed nearby. She needed more time to recover. “Yes. You both look like you could use the rest.”
“Leif’s been setting a fast pace.” Devlen dismounted stiffly, then helped Reema down. “Reema, please go find some branches to start a fire.”
She ran her hands through her curls, dislodging a few clumps of dried mud. “You know I’ll find out what happened to Aunt Mara eventually. No need to send me off so the adults can talk.”
“Reema.” His warning tone did nothing to discourage her.
She shrugged but did as he asked.
“She is very perceptive,” Devlen said. “Although in this case, it does not take a genius to guess Mara is the reason for Leif’s dismay.”
I filled him in as I helped him take care of his horse, who was introduced to me as Sunfire.
His reaction to Mara’s rough treatment matched Leif’s. “I shall be happy to assist them both in ensuring those men are punished.”
That evening, Reema told me an elaborate campfire tale. I listened without interrupting. By the end, when she finished with how she’d helped Valek rescue her father and Leif, I’d learned quite a bit about Reema. She would be a force to be reckoned with in the future. The very near future, if she had any say in the matter.
“Why is Valek waiting for Opal?” I asked Devlen.
Lines of worry etched his face, but he tried to keep his tone light as he explained her trip to find Master Magician Zitora. While he talked, Reema snuggled closer to her father.
I remained sitting, despite my heart urging me to jump up and down at the possible good news. Instead, in an effort not to get my hopes up regarding Zitora, I asked, “Was Opal successful?”
“I have not received any word from her, but I was incarcerated for most of the time she has been gone. The Cartel may have intercepted a message from her.”
That would be bad. Really bad. The Cartel knew enough tricks to capture Zitora, and when the Theobroma didn’t work on her, they’d realize it hadn’t worked on Bain and Irys, either. I considered. Opal left on her mission when Valek and I were still Bruns’s prisoners. Once we escaped, we sent a message warning them, but by then it was too late.
The best-case scenario would be Opal helping Zitora and convincing her to return as an active Master Magician. Since Opal was unaware of the Cartel’s existence, Zitora would probably travel to the Citadel. In that case, we would need to stop her. Nothing I could do about it at the moment. Instead of rushing off, I chatted until they tried to hide their fatigue. Then I ordered them to go to sleep. Plus, if we left at dawn, we might reach the camp without having to stop for the night.
As the flames burned low, I stared at the darkening sky. Stars popped into view. More and more of them, until points of white fire glittered from every inch. A strange sensation in my abdomen distracted me from the spectacle. Just a light stroke, as if a fingertip traced a line on my skin. But the touch came from the inside of my body. Odd. After it happened the second time, I had an inkling of the cause. To confirm my suspicions, I reached underneath my tunic and rested my hands on my lower stomach. When it occurred again, I felt the gentle flutter from both sides.
The baby had grown big enough for me to feel its movements. Excited and amazed by the truly unique experience, I kept my fingers splayed over the bulge. The baby was about eighteen weeks along, and I wondered when I’d be unable to hide the telltale bump.
The light touches continued, and I wished Valek’s hand rested next to mine. A pang of loneliness and worry gnawed on my heart. I hoped we’d be together soon.
* * *
The next day, we arrived at camp late. Everyone was asleep except Onora. She materialized from the darkness as soon as Kiki stopped.
“We need to work on our communication,” she said.
“Oh?” I dismounted and stretched. “I told Leif—”
“Your definition of ‘not gone long’ and mine are completely different.”
“Talk to Kiki. She’s the one who changed the plan.” Unless... I wondered if she had sensed Rusalka before we even left. I’d have to remember to ask her if I ever recovered my magic. Funny how that uncertainty no longer squeezed my heart with anxiety.
Onora frowned.
I chuckled. “It’s all part of that ‘herding snow cats’ Ari and Janco warned you about. You’ll get used to it.”
“I doubt it,” she muttered, but she helped us take care of the horses.
Reema peered at her in between yawns. “Are you the assassin who wants Uncle Valek’s job?”
“Eventually, yes.” Onora considered the young girl. “Are you thinking of challenging me for it?”
“Oh, no. I’m not skilled enough,” Reema demurred.
But Onora was too smart to fall for it. “Uh-huh. From what I’ve been hearing, you could put the sass into assassin.”
Reema’s grin erased all signs of innocence. “Ooh, I like! But don’t worry, I wouldn’t want to limit myself by working for the Commander.”
“Free agent?”
“Something like that.”
“Reema, it is time for bed,” Devlen said. “You can finish your conversation later. Like, ten years later.”
In the morning, we gathered around the campfire and exchanged information. Mara leaned on Leif, who sat behind her with his arms wrapped around her torso.
“Time is not on our side,” I said. “Leif and Mara, you’ll join up with Esau and Nutty in the jungle. I need you to protect him while he cultivates the Frosty Pod. If the Cartel discovers what he’s doing, they’ll come after him. The rendezvous is at the Illiais Market on day forty.”