“I suppose I quite like controlling the shadows. They’re familiar. Reliable. Not to mention, they’re useful in times of war.” In an instant I recalled the tendrils and fashioned them into a glittering rapier. Gently, I gripped it by the handle before turning it over to Gaige. He marveled at the creation, holding it up to the sun to examine the ink-black weapon.
After a moment, he handed it back to me. “You sure it won’t dissipate upon contact?”
I scoffed. “I’m not a fresh recruit.”
Gaige smirked. “Good. Wouldn’t want you dying in this coming war.” He hesitated, then added, “I’d really like to get to know you better, once we have the time.”
Heat once again simmered beneath my skin, and I flicked my wrist, sending the shadows racing away. “I have no plans of dying.”
“Good.” Unexpectedly—or had I known this was coming all along?—Gaige’s eyes fell to my lips, and an uneven breath escaped his chest. As much as I wanted to, I couldn’t ignore the gentle tingle in my fingers begging me to reach out and touch him for real. He was close enough that I could do it if I dared. Time slowed, stretching that moment as I waited, wondering—
Calem clapped his hands loudly, the sound breaking Gaige’s hold over me, and I jerked my head to him. Without my knowledge, he’d sauntered over and crouched before us. A dangerous teasing spark filled his eyes. “I thought you’d be interested in knowing we’re all ready to go. That is, if it’s okay by you two.”
I launched to my feet. At some point, Leena must’ve calmed her Telesávra, because she was now idly standing beside Noc and pretending incredibly hard not to look our way. Ozias shuffled his feet and tipped his head to the sky, while Noc simply gave Calem a tired, disapproving look.
So wrapped up in my conversation with Gaige, I couldn’t even pinpoint when Raven had left. I took a few harsh steps away, putting distance between me and the man who could derail my thoughts so easily. Certainly his Charmer’s lure was to blame, but I should’ve been more alert.
“Let’s go,” I said, taking long strides toward our group.
The mirth in Gaige’s voice was unmistakable. “To be continued.”
Calem laughed at his comment, but as we made our way toward the Kitska Forest, I let my mind wander, just for a moment. Just long enough to picture a possible future where perhaps Gaige and I could continue down a path I hadn’t truly entertained in years.
Four
Yazmin
There was only one place in Wilheim’s castle I enjoyed: the Queen’s Respite.
At first, I hadn’t been permitted to enter this hidden sanctuary. Each time I tried, the Sentinels stationed at the entrance turned me away. Their adamant refusal only confirmed my suspicions: something was here. And after days of futile searching for any leads on the missing Charmers—the ones my people foolishly presumed were dead—I knew I had to see what this chamber held. Even if it meant trading a beast to King Varek—a lowly one with minor abilities, though I may have exaggerated about its powers—in order to be granted entry. Of course, he obliged. Though his rule for me to be escorted at all times certainly soured the deal. Not like I could show anything but gratitude for hismagnanimousagreement.
So here I stood, four Sentinels still as statues against the walls. Before me was a single tree with white bark and pale-pink leaves. A circular hole had been cut out of the ceiling, and sunlight poured through the opening. Columns of the same ivory that made up the castle surrounded the space. Rich soil and moss encircled the trunk, spanning outward until it met the edge of cool tile where I stood. Magic ran deep here. I could feel it in my core. When Mavis, the princess during the First War, died, her mother planted this tree. The Queen’s Heart. More had blossomed throughout the city, but this was the first. The original. Here, her mother had mourned the loss of her daughter.
And she’d never left. Her lifeblood, her bones, herbody, had given sustenance to this tree. It was the only thing I wanted to protect when I brought Ocnolog’s fires upon this wretched city. I wasn’t sure why, but something about this place kept calling me back. A deep nagging in my gut I couldn’t ignore. I’d been searching for the Charmers Wynn had said were being held in the capital. Every hour—every minute—not spent preparing for Ocnolog or planning against Leena was devoted to them. And yet, nothing. When my hours of sleuthing left me empty-handed and defeated, my feet carried me here. Always. Here, I could breathe. Think. Rest.
But rest was for the dead, and I had work to do.
Tracing a finger along the Charmer’s symbol across the back of my hand, I found my Femsy’s branch. I glanced at the Sentinels. They wouldn’t be able to tell I was about to connect with my beast, but I made a note to be quick nonetheless. The world spun before me as I connected to her vision, taking in a sea of jagged treetops and snarling, purple vines. The Kitska Forest was just as ominous from above as it was from within. She’d been flying low over the branches, tracking Leena’s moves since her inauguration. While I could only tap into my Femsy’s sight three times before sending her back to the realm to recover, her presence in our world was barely a drain on my power. Keeping tabs on my enemies was necessary, and should they spot her and dispose of her… One beast was expendable.
If only that coward had struck.I bit back a hiss as I thought of Noc’s shadows. He could’ve ended my Femsy’s life in the throne room. I almost wished he had. If only to prove to my people just how dangerous he was.
Pushing that thought aside, I watched as they trekked through the woods. I’d waited for nearly two days to check in again to not waste my Femsy’s power. Celeste be praised they’d left Hireath and were likely on their way to Cruor. And without a flying beast and their own creatures likely drained from the battle against the Vrees, now was a prime time to strike.
Cutting off the visual connection between me and my beast, I tucked my hand in the folds of my dress and focused on the beast realm door. Ruddy-red light seeped through the fabric, but it was faint enough not to pull the attention of the Sentinels. I doubted they’d believe I was merely sending my Femsy home rather than summoning a creature to attack. I’d earned Varek’s attention, but certainly not his trust. Better to play it safe for now.
Turning on my heels, I stalked out of the hidden sanctuary and back into the main parts of the castle. The Sentinels followed for a short while, ensuring I stuck to approved hallways and corridors before finally peeling off and returning to whatever posts they’d been assigned. Varek would be preoccupied overseeing the defenses of Wilheim. He’d insisted on fortifying them in case the Charmers or Noc came calling. Unnecessary, but it kept him busy and out of my hair. I had things to do.
My heels clacked against the polished tile of the grand hall as I continued on, spying the very man I needed. He sat at a table with his brethren, feasting on roasted meats and fresh fruit. As he took a heavy swig from his jewel-encrusted goblet, his amber eyes met mine and the line of his jaw tightened. Varek might not have been able to see through my niceties, but Darrien was far less trusting. He sat his glass down and fiddled with the carving knife by his plate.
I fought the urge to laugh. If I wanted him dead, his severed head would already be on a pike outside. “Darrien, come with me. Your troops, too.” I didn’t even bother to stop and instead kept walking. He’d follow. People always did.
There was only a moment’s pause before the scraping of wood against tile. Then, a sudden influx of cold and whoosh of shadows as he used his power to catch up to me, stride for stride. More shadows raced across the floor, and the rest of his assassins fell into line behind us.
“I’m not a soldier you can boss around.”
“Aren’t you?” I took the nearest corridor, ignoring the muffled gasp from one of his brethren.
Darrien’s brow twitched, but he kept pace. “What is it?”
