by Anna Logan
By his frown, he didn’t know that. Or at least he didn’t accept it. “Why? Why can’t the Wardens just go get them? That’s their job.”
“You know why.” Yhkon had explained it to them, semi-patiently, as they’d made their protests to the plan the day before. He’d had to deal with a lot of protests. In fact, he’d wanted to leave immediately—to get a few hours of sleep after he and the other Wardens arrived from Calcaria, and then leave that morning. Her parents had persuaded him to wait an extra day. “They need us to be able to convince the other wards. And if something happens, they may need our help.”
“Because of your ability,” he said, before being asked. There was a hardness to his expression. He wishes I didn’t have it. He wishes I were normal.
Talea massaged her fingers with her thumb, forcing herself to hold eye contact. “Yes, because of my ability. I have to go. I have to do this.” She’d never spoken that forcefully to her father. But she didn’t back down—it was true. Whether or not he understood...this was right, and she was ready.
“We know.” Seles stroked her hair back from her face, her tears spilling over. “We’re just worried about you. But we know. And we love you.”
A pressure was building in her throat. She wrapped her arms around her mother and rested her cheek against Seles’ shoulder. “Thank you.”
No tears, but an ache in her chest as she hugged each of her parents, her brother, and Brenly. She could tell by the quiet that the Wardens were finished and were now waiting on them. No doubt Wylan’s farewell to Nakelsie wasn’t taking as long either. She had to clear her throat to speak as she knelt in front of Alili. “I love you. Remember that. And remember that I think you’re the bravest person I know. My parents are going to take care of you. You’re part of our family now, okay? I’ll be back, and we’ll all be together.”
Alili threw her arms around her in a tight hug. Her head was on Talea’s shoulder, mouth near her ear, so that Talea could just hear her hoarse whisper: “I love you, too.”
Moisture sprang to her eyes. She rapidly blinked it away, approaching the lareers. Yhkon boosted her into the middle seat of the saddle, with him in front and Gustor behind. She looked back to her family. Seles was crying. Brenly’s eyes glistened. There wasn’t hardness in Loestin’s frown anymore, just anxiety and pain. Naylen gave her a small nod, mustering the slightest of smiles. Alili was neither smiling or frowning, but her eyes said it all.
Yhkon leaned back, looking at her with that penetrating gaze of his. “You ready?” he asked, for her ears only.
Talea nodded. She was ready.
He faced forward again, tightening his grip on the long reins that traveled down to the lareer’s bridle-like headpiece. “Then let’s go get the Eight.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Anna Kate is a college freshman living in South Dakota, constantly on the run between the real world and the one in her head. In the real world, she’s studying for an English degree and working in customer service. In her head, she’s probably flying on the back of a dragon. Her favorite part of reality is books, cookie dough, and her spoiled corgi. She has loved writing YA through her teen years as much as she’s enjoyed reading it, and hopes to bring a fresh perspective to the genre with the advantage of being one of its members.
https://www.annakatelogan.com/
