“You’re also still recovering from injuries,” Prea reminded him. “And you know Queen Isobel will want you at the castle, especially if the worst comes to pass.”
“And you’ll slow us down, Quinny,” Ainya said, not unkindly. “You’re not trained for this, and you’re not a soldier. I know you don’t want us distracted with worrying about you.”
“You might die,” he said. He turned to Prea. “You’re sending your own sister somewhere she might die!”
“I know,” Prea said simply. “We have no choice, Tarquin. We need to know what’s happening.”
Tarquin closed his eyes and put his face in his hands. “I hate this.”
“I do, too,” Prea said.
A cool hand curved around Tarquin’s arm, and he looked up to see Five looking back. Five smiled a little before pulling away.
“At the very least, you should wait un
