Page 158 of The Trials of Ophelia

“Vale needs to return to Starsearcher Territory immediately to reorient her sessions and decipher what has gone wrong with them. Not only are they putting her at risk, but we’ve determined—based on the timing of her recent episodes—it could be related to the emblems, which means there’s a chance something she needs to read to help us could be blocked.”

Everyone looked to Vale, but her heated gaze remained on me. “And I will be leaving tonight as soon as the sun has set and heading north to avoid the troops, but I will be going alone.”

“No, Vale.” My voice was firm, bordering on harsh. “You will not be.” I turned to Cyph, whose jaw ticked. “You will go with her.”

Cypherion pointedly did not look at Vale, though other heads in the room silently swiveled between them.

“No,” he finally said. “No, I will not leave when a battle is approaching any day now. I’m needed here.”

My chest tightened at the hurt in his voice. Pain from thinking his contribution would be dashed so easily. “You are wanted here.” I spoke softly. “Cypherion, you are an asset to every force you’re a part of, but we have soldiers trained to be on that line, to see us through that battle. We do not have many that are able to carry out this sensitive mission.”

In truth, the only ones I trusted to do so stood in this room.

“I—” He searched for an argument, jaw grinding. “I can’t.”

“Are you rejecting your orders?” My brows shot up, partially playfully.

“Maybe,” he said.

I did not want to pull rank, but if it came to that I would. Still, I had not exhausted my artillery.

“Cyph,” I said, not letting his gaze drop but instilling every ounce of vulnerability I could muster into my voice. “I need you to do this for us. I need my Second to complete this mission for the good of this entire war, prophecy, and whatever else waits. Please.”

Those blue eyes, heavy with uncertainty, bore into mine. We communicated silently, a battle of two stubborn wills. The words we exchanged before I descended into the pit passed between us. Perhaps he needed to get out to truly find himself, to remind him of his promise in the world we all saw so plainly.

“You’re unrelenting with this, aren’t you?” he finally said.

“Which part?” I asked, not daring to let my hope at that non-denial show.

Cyph leaned forward, bracing his fists against the table, and that analytical mind of his assessed the maps spread before us. He took in every sigil, every border, and calculated how the Angel emblems fit into them.

Briefly, he glanced at Vale.

Then, he said, “All of it.” His lip barely quirked at the corner, but I saw it.

Hope flourished, my smile beaming. “Is that a yes? You accept?”

With a sigh, he straightened up. “I accept the position of Second to the Revered of the Mystique Warriors.” Tolek cheered, striding around the table to clap Cypherion on the back. “I don’t want a formal induction or any sort of celebration. I still think I am a poor choice for this, but you’re so damn persistent.”

My heart inflated in my chest.

“Thank you.” Without a doubt, this was the best decision I had made in my short rule. Likely one of the best I would ever make. “And…”

“And I will accompany Vale to her territory so we may decipher what is causing the faults in her readings and if it connects to the emblems as you suspect.” He crossed his arms. “We’ll leave tonight. I’ll go prepare.”

He left without once looking in the Starsearcher’s direction. If they were to be traveling together for weeks, that could only last so long.

Vale had been quiet throughout the entire altercation. Meeting her gaze, I asked, “Is that okay with you?”

It was a formality, and she knew that. “Of course. The…company will be well appreciated.”

If Cypherion did not pull himself out of whatever grudge he still held against the Starsearcher, I wasn’t sure how true that statement would hold. As Vale left to prepare, the timid nod of her head seemed to agree with me.

“The rest of you,” Lyria said, calling our attention back. I sank into a chair beside Tolek. “We are directing more attention to the highest lookout points. Amara has secured another unit of Seawatchers, giving us more archery forces.”

Longing hung on the sharpened points of those words. It thickened the air around us and bolstered everyone’s moods.

“What about the Mindshapers?” Cyren asked. “I’ve been targeting them in my sessions but the fates are still fogged.”

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