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Telean nodded at me. “Control,” she warned again.
“I know. Is everyone ready?”
We mounted, making our way back to the main road leading to the city. I maneuvered my horse in front of the others. The bend in the road appeared, and I focused on it, reminding myself of the position of the city gates, which would be visible as soon as we rounded it.
My left hand clutched the reins, while my right held the hourglass. I closed my eyes, feeling the deep well of its power, hot and wild as it waited for me.
I nudged my mare into a gallop and pulled.
Time stopped.
But the power swamped me. For a single terrifying moment, it was as if the hourglass was alive and my own will didn’t matter at all. Yes, Telean had warned me, but I still hadn’t understood just what the hourglass could do. I was so used to yanking at the threads of my power, I was unprepared for so many to come free at once. Power roared through me, until my head spun with it.
Control.
But how could I control something that seemed to have no end?
I attempted to push the threads back down, but they weren’t going anywhere. Someone hauled me onto their horse, and Lorian’s masculine scent surrounded me. I could see nothing except a blur in the periphery of my vision as we slowed.
Our horses were walking. I could feel that much. It meant we’d made it through the city gates and past the guards. But I couldn’t release my grip on either the hourglass or my power.
“Prisca.” Lorian’s voice was tight. “You can let go now.”
“I’m trying.”
“Release the hourglass. You don’t need it anymore.” Telean sounded concerned, her tone high and thready.
I was attempting to do exactly that, but my fingers were curled tightly, frozen in place.
Lorian’s hand clamped around my wrist. “Just open your hand, wildcat.”
Open my hand. That was all I had to do. I could do that.
One finger first, and that was all it took. Once the first finger lifted, I managed to loosen the rest, and the hourglass thumped against my chest. I swayed, and Lorian pulled me tighter into his chest.
My eyes found Telean’s. Her gaze was steady, reassuring.
“You did it,” she said, approval coating her words.
“It almost took me over. I was…”
“Almost means nothing,” Lorian rumbled, nuzzling my cheek.
Telean watched me. “This is why you must always hold the hourglass when you use it. It’s a physical reminder that you are linked to it. When you let go, your power will unlink too. This is how children train.”
I was too tired to feel embarrassed by that implication.
“I will.”
“I wish Demos had seen that,” Telean said. “He would have been so proud.”
I nodded, but a lump had formed in my throat. Tibris would have been just as proud.
Gods, I hoped he was unhurt. I hoped he knew we’d make sure he was freed. The anxiety gnawing at me wouldn’t disappear until I could see him unharmed with my own eyes.
Lorian lifted the hood of my cloak, hiding my hair. While Regner was unlikely to expect us to return to his capital, we’d take no chances, and the others were cloaked and tense as well.
I turned in Lorian’s arms as someone murmured my name. Vicer had appeared next to us. He’d put on muscle—and it looked good on him. But new frown lines were etched between his brows, and his eyes were guarded.
