“Yes,”she answered, showing me the separate strands.“But it lacks the spark of creation, the Flame that will give it life.”She sighed.“I want my Dryads not only to sense this power, but to command it.”
“A mortal body is not suited to hold such power for long,”I pointed out.
“What if the power remained in the trees? If we forged a permanent connection?”Tanez asked.
“That would work, but it would also limit them.”The magic would only remain in the Dryads’ grasp as long as they stayed near the trees they were bound to.
Tanez tilted her head, pondering my words.“Perhaps that limit is wise,”she finally answered.“I want them to use this power solely for protection.”
“If you’re certain.”I tried to quell the worry rising inside me as I reached deep into the well of my magic. The memory of how it had slipped my control in the training fight with Belekoroz was still vivid in my mind. What if it happened again? What if I destroyed Tanez’s creation without meaning to?
Tanez caught on to my hesitation, our connection flooding with her calm reassurance.“I know you can do this. I trust you.”
Suddenly, it all felt so easy, so right. The Flame burned bright and steady as it grew at my command, filling the clearing with an otherworldly golden glow. Every strand of Tanez’s magic came alive, aspark awakening, fine filaments of Light weaving around the thicker strands of Earth, strengthening them. An unbreakable bond formed between the Dryads and their trees, granting them access to the forest’s power. I let the feeling of righteousness guide me, relieved joy washing through me as the magic sank into the Dryads’ skin, binding them to the trees forever. A smile lifted my lips.
I had done it.
“You can awaken them whenever you feel it is time,” I told Tanez, releasing her hands and dissolving our connection.
She moved gracefully among her children, tenderly touching a cheek here and there. “They are beautiful,” she exclaimed, meeting my gaze. “Thank you, Baradaz.”
She decided to wait until morning to awaken her Dryads. After quickly erecting a protective barrier around them, she linked her arm with mine and we headed back to Lyrheim. A short shift into our spirit forms later and we were near the King’s Hall once more, music and laughter drifting toward us. Unsurprisingly, the feast was in full swing. When Tanez had approached me earlier, the first guests had already started arriving. Our absence would have been noticed.
Not that Tanez seemed worried, a triumphant spring in her step. She held me back as I headed toward the glow of the fire between the trees. “Rebellion suits you well, my friend,” she commented, tucking a stray lock of my hair into the intricate hairdo of pearls and white jasmine flowers Elodia had created. “You look radiant.”
I smiled, realizing she had no clue how rebellious I had become. Nervousness pulsed in my stomach as I wondered if Belekoroz would attend tonight. It would be unusual, but he hadn’t missed a single Council meeting recently, making it nearly impossible to avoid him after our ill-advised kiss following the fight with the Kritak. Tayshrenhadn’t reported anything to Aramaz, yet I knew we could not afford to raise any more suspicion.
A group of giggling Brownies, clad in gold and brown, stopped short upon seeing Tanez and me. They bowed low with an awed “My ladies.” Their reddened cheeks and shining eyes indicated they had already partaken heartily of the freshly brewed mead poured generously by the Dwarves.
As we made our way through the crowd, respectful bows and hushed whispers followed us. Since we had sent our children out into Aron-Lyr to populate all areas of the world, seeing one of the Aurea in the flesh had been rare for them. I often longed for the simpler times when they had all dwelled here with us in Lyrheim, but the king had decreed it necessary to ensure they learned independence. The Allfather had created us to be guardians, not rulers.
Tonight, though, was a time for revelry. Aramaz had invited delegations from all races of Aron-Lyr to celebrate Midsummer, the longest day of the year. The blue and green hair of Ashur’s Nyx shimmered like the waves of the Emerald Sea in the glow of the great bonfire that had been built on the grassy square in front of the King’s Hall. Next to them, Sha’am’s Drakuul twirled their weapons in wild warrior dances, their scales and golden horns shining. A few Aerieth soared through the air like large, colorful birds, their wings catching the breeze as they playfully chased each other.
“You’re late.”
Breath quickened from dancing, Zamani joined us at the edge of the gathering. The skirts of her red dress flowed around her like the flickering flames of her aspect, enhancing her every graceful movement. Our fellow Aurea’s violet eyes sparkled with excitement. Like her children, the Djein, dance and music were in her blood.
“I swear,” she said, shaking her head, “if I had to tell the king onemore time that you were still getting ready… Even Aramaz was starting to suspect something was amiss.”
“We are here now, aren’t we?” Tanez answered, her good mood undimmed by her sister’s words. “It just took a bit longer to achieve our goal.”
Zamani laughed, already appeased, and grabbed three goblets from a passing tray. “You have to try this mead. It’s delicious.” She handed one each to Tanez and me. “To your success,” she declared. “And the pleasure of outwitting mule-headed men.”
The mead was sweet, its warmth lingering on my tongue. After a few sips, my head began to spin. I glanced at Zamani in surprise.
She winked at a copper-haired Anima dancing past us with a Djein on each arm. “Oh yes,” she giggled. “Someone added a little magical touch to that barrel.”
I hesitated, then let the triumph of mastering my powers and the boisterous atmosphere overrule any doubt. With Zamani’s wild cheer in my ear, I downed the rest of the goblet in one go. The strong mead’s warmth spread through my belly and limbs, the sound of drums and fiddles beckoning my feet to join the dance.
Just as I was about to take the first step, a violent current pulsed through the air, making me stand still. My body knew who had arrived even without the tense looks on every face around me. A swooping feeling in my stomach, my breath catching, energy crackling on my skin. The instincts of prey when a predator came closer.
But I was no prey. I was his queen. The only power he held over me was the power I granted him.
The thought made me square my shoulders and face the Aurea of Darkness, our gazes meeting over the raging bonfire.
He was made for this light: the dark waterfall of his hair cascaded around his shoulders like the night itself was captured in itsstrands, the flames casting flickering shadows over his full lips and high cheekbones as if compelled to caress him. He stalked toward me, dressed in a black tunic with silver embroidery on the collar that emphasized the tall, strong lines of his body. The crowd parted before him, hushed whispers following him. Belekoroz had never appeared more dangerous than in this moment.
And he had never looked more tempting.
