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calmly.
    “I am sorry, Geraint … I fear that when his friends are concerned, Derek tends to listen to his heart rather than his head.”
    Geraint breathed heavily.
    “Please do not hear me wrong, m y l ady. William and I were as close as brothers in arms could be, and I will never regret giving you sanctuary, never. Derek is brave and honourable, just like his father was, and a great warrior. But my priority must be the security of this land and its people.”
    Ylianor considered his declaration for a moment before she put a friendly hand on the man’s arm. His posture was still the one of a soldier, strong and rigid. His thick hair had greyed over the years , but the blue eyes were still alert and piercing. He had said nothing of Sacha , but she knew the father worried for his daughter, for both his children, just like her heart trembled for her only son.
    Foolish, foolish Sacha who always did what she thought was right, and damned the consequences. She had little doubt that the impetuous lady was the mastermind behind their disappearance. Derek was quick-tempered, but he valued obedience and generally followed order s. Geraint had clearly commanded him to stay put.
    The former queen gave a tight smile. That Sacha had managed to convince Derek to come with her was of little surprise. He never resisted a challenge from the fierce L ady of Haven , and if she had chosen to ply his resolve with coy eyes and trembling lips, there w ere even less chances he denied her anything. Especially if it meant going to his best friend’s rescue. Ylianor wished she had not advised her to charm instead of demanding to obtain what she wanted. A t any rate, w hatever the weapon Sacha used, now both were gone.
    The d uke silently covered her hand with his before he glanced up to the blonde woman by his side with a humo u rless grin.
    “I fear our children chose the worst moment to finally give into each other.”
    Finding nothing to answer, Ylianor nodded courteously before she took her leave. The memory of Sacha ’s dream worried her.
     
    oOo
     
    They stopped by midday to eat some bread and dried meat, and water their horses. Derek took a few minutes to check on their supplies. Sooner or later, he would have to ask Sacha about her plans, but he was not in a hurry to discover she had none. She always rushed head first toward whatever waited ahead, and thought later - generally too late - about trouble. The only difference was that generally, he let Sebastian deal with her.
    In some ways, Elwyn was the same troublemaker. Except that Elwyn used to drag him along - mostly - against his will, and this time he had agreed to come. Correction : she had tricked him into agreeing. He dismissed the thought with a frown and focused on their packing.
    Her maid had bundled about three days ' worth of food ; they'd have more if he was lucky on the hunt or they bought more supplies in the way. Examining the second bag, Derek found a map, visibly older than the ones Sebastian had shown him the week before, and several phials he recognized.
    “Did you go through my mother’s stock?”
    Sacha put away her gourd.
    “I did not know what we… What Elwyn would need.”
    He uncorked one and smelt it, suspicious.
    “Well I hope you know how to distinguish cure draught from poison.”
    Her eyes gleamed dangerously, but Sacha kept her mouth shut. They were only a few hours from Haven and she could not afford to alienate him just yet . O r ever. If Derek did not accompany her, her chances of success were null. The young woman pursed her lips, irritated, and stood to stretch her legs before she walked to her horse to caress its soft nose before she mounted it.
    Surprised by her silence, Derek put his discoveries back in the bags, save for the chart , which he unrolled.
    “We should reach Worth Hall in about two hours; I prefer we avoid villages afterward . We will stop by a farm for the night.”
    “We could go farther . I t is barely noon and - ”
    Derek