Nikolai heaved out a sigh, responding with a tight nod. "Aye. We assumed so."
Nikolai had never told Riker where their training camp was, and Riker had never asked. It was their military practice to provide sensitive information only to those who needed to know.
Riker stood suddenly, glancing up at the opening. The sun had moved, the light brightening the cavern. "I must go. If I am away too long, Volkov will know something is amiss."
"Lieutenant Riker," said Sienna, standing. "Sergeant Volkov thought I was the red-haired lady who was seen in the company of Arabelle a few months ago. That is, he thinks I'm exactly who I am. If he tells the queen, you could be in danger."
"You don't have to return," said Nikolai, fearing now for his dear cousin.
"Yes. I do. If I do not, the entire royal Legionnaire army will be fast on your trail." He stepped closer and placed a hand on Nikolai's shoulder. "Do not worry, cousin. You have taught me well. I will leave if I must. But for now, I will play my part and give you and Lady Sienna a chance to do your work."
Nikolai clasped his opposite shoulder, wishing he could change his mind, wishing to protect him as he did when he was a wiry, young soldier who looked up to him like a brother. But the truth was, he could not. Riker was right. They needed him to play his part. And that meant putting his own life in danger.
"I cannot tell you how much I appreciate what you are doing."
"I know, cousin." His mouth quirked on one side. "Never fear. You have taught me well. I will gain as much information as I can. Where are you headed for recruits?"
"North. We have contacts with the Black Lily all along the northern route to Dale's Peak, which is our final stop. We'll see how far we can go before we return to the training camp. I'll mark the entrance with a black mark when we have returned in a fortnight if we're lucky. Meet me here at dusk each night thereafter."
Riker smiled, a gesture that softened his features and reminded Nikolai of when they were boys. "Like the old days, when we played ‘pirate and pillage' and marked our secret hideaways."
"Yes," agreed Nikolai with a sad smile, those innocent days so far away. "Like the old days."
"Aye. Stay well till then, cousin."
"You too," said Nikolai, his heart soaring with pride at the bravery of this young man he'd practically raised from a boy.
"Farewell, my lady," he said with a proper bow to Sienna.
"Farewell. Stay safe," she said with a small curtsy.
In a blur and a rush of wind, Riker vanished, speeding away back across the wood to the southern gates.
"Lieutenant," said Sienna behind him. "I cannot return to the training camp when we are done. I vow that I will help with the recruits, but Cutters Cove is too far away."
Approaching, he sensed a desperate sadness rattling around inside of her. "Why ever not?"
She glanced away, kneading her hands together. "I just can't go that far away from the forest."
"From Silvane Forest?"
"Yes." She stood and paced away. "It's difficult to explain, but I-that is, I can't go that far away."
"But we are heading north. You will be far away."
"I know." She spun, fear shining bright on her fair face. "I will go north and help with the recruits, then I must return to my cottage."
He stepped closer, recognizing her growing anxiety-the slight rise of her voice, the shifting from one foot to the other, her fingers clenching in the folds of her cloak. This deepened his own concern.
"You do realize that after we are done crossing the countryside that it may not be safe back at your cottage. Many people know you reside there."
"I will be safer there than any other place." She walked toward the tunnel. "I would rather we return to the forest while we wait for nightfall."
She paused at the dark entryway. Nikolai wondered at this attachment she had to the woods. It was true that the hart wolves would defend her. He'd witnessed their devotion to her before. But even four hart wolves were no match for the royal Legionnaires. Especially a troop with the blood madness coursing through their veins. But it was pointless to argue with her when she was so obviously out of sorts. Why was leaving the forest so upsetting to her?
Confused, he marched forward and took her hand in his to guide her back through the tunnel. Perhaps she feared living in a populated town again, having been on her own for so long. Did something happen to her in Dale's Peak to make her fear the company of others? A flash of anger lit through his veins at the thought of someone hurting her.
One thing he knew for certain. When this was all over, he would not, could not forsake her to her own fate, letting her live alone so close to the Glass Tower. Too close to the evil lurking there.