Page 111 of Esperance

The prince’s voice was low as he said, “That’s everyone on our path accounted for, except for Amryn. Ivan, Samuel, Sadia, Rivard, and Tam were on the other side of the mountain. Do you think they would have been attacked, too?”

“I don’t know.” It all depended on who the rebel informant was. If the high cleric had shared with guards or clerics beforehand who would be on which path, it was possible the attacks would be focused here. But if the rebel informant was someone else and hadn’t known, attacks could be happening all over the mountain.

“Cora and Darrin,” Argent murmured. “Saints, we can’t lose anyone else.”

The words hung ominously around them, like a taunt to the Divinities.

Carver walked faster.

The storm was all but upon them. Wind snagged their clothes and hair and made the trees around them shudder. Lightning streaked the sky, and thunder cracked.

They hadn’t found Amryn.

They’d backtracked up the path and come back to the scene of Carver’s battle with the rebels. One of the Esperance guards had some training as a tracker, but what Carver wouldn’t give for Ford’s skills right now.

While the Esperance guard scouted the area, searching for Amryn’s trail, Carver took a moment to re-inspect the bodies of the rebels.

Argent followed him.

“We’ll find her,” he said.

Carver’s jaw clenched as he crouched beside one of the bodies. “I should have had her hide nearby instead of run deeper into the jungle.”

“You didn’t know how this fight was going to go.” Argent glanced toward the large dead snake. “It does seem like you had to improvise.”

That was true enough. But by telling her to run, he’d lost her. The jungle had innumerable dangers, even aside from the Rising. Amryn might be safe from them because she was potentially one of them, but that didn’t comfort him. The rebels were ruthless. They might kill her anyway; they’d killed each other easily enough.

Argent’s voice was quieter than before. “You care about her.”

Carver shot him a look. “Of course I care.”

The prince shook his dark head. “No, it’s more than that. You’re falling in love with her.”

The mere idea made his blood run cold. “No I’m not.”

Argent cocked an eyebrow. “You’re in denial, then. That can be one of the stages.”

“I think you’re confusing this with grief.”

“Maybeyouare.”

“You’re not even making sense.”

“Love rarely does. Have you kissed her yet?”

“No.”

But, Saints, he’d wanted to.

He stood, facing Argent with focus and a pulse that refused to slow down. His voice was a whisper, since he was very aware of the guards scattered around them. “She might be a rebel.”

“So? Jayveh’s brothers tried to kill me once.”

“That’s different.”

“Is it?” Argent leaned closer. “Maybe you’re too close to see it, but Amryn is perfect for you.”

“Other than the fact that she might be trying to kill me.” He indicated the bodies beside them. “She knew they were coming. She told me they were following us. It’s why we left the road.”

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