He wrung his fingers together. “Yes. For now. That’s why I wanted to work with you to help develop your abilities. Youmustn’t threadmend any of us again without my knowledge, do you understand?”
His harrowed expression was a match to the emotions brewing in my chest. I hadn’t known the whole story when I’d agreed to work with him.Forhim. How many hidden truths would I discover in the days, weeks, to follow?
“How did they even manage to trick me into a vow?” I sighed.
“Vows require both parties to agree, and unfortunately, magic doesn’t pick up on intent. From how you explained it to me, your agreement to their request was enough.” He shifted in his chair, but his gaze never left mine. “You can tell if an Ever is trying to invoke a vow by the swell of magic and usually a scent specific to that Ever family. For us, it’s an earthy, floral aroma.”
I had noticed it; I just hadn’t paid it any mind. Because of course the telltale for their magic would be the literal scent of the surrounding world. Super identifiable.
“Lovely,” I muttered. “I can’t do the work you want me to do if I’m constantly reexamining every conversation I’ve had in this house.”
“You won’t have to,” he said swiftly. “Within the hour, everyone will know of Tasia and Amalyss’s mistake—and not to try anything like that again. I promise.”
I held his stare for what felt like minutes, studying every nuance in his expression in search of deception, and found none. He leaned forward, pressing his forearms against his knees, and ducked his chin slightly. Hope. That’s what made his lips part and his breath catch. He wanted to make things right.
The way he looked at me... I could hardly stand it. I reached for my glass, giving my hands, my thoughts, anything else to focus on. With one swift movement, I drained the last of my repugnant tonic.
“How do I know they’ll listen?”
The veins along his neck strained against his tanned skin, and his nostrils flared. “Because I willmakethem.” He clenched and unclenched his jaw. “No one is to harm you, Edira. I don’t care how they’re related to me.” Magic flared around him as if in response to his rising emotions, and with it came the aroma of tilled earth and the heat of summer rays.
My breath caught in my chest. The fierce conviction in his stare couldn’t be denied, and my fear slipped away. It was strange to feel so protected after I’d spent my life hiding from Evers. From him. Slowly, I nodded. “Okay. I believe you.”
His power receded with my words, and a small, relieved smile dared to tug at his lips. “Thank you.”
I shifted farther down between the sheets. Not because Orin’s lingering gaze brought a flush to my skin that I didn’t want him to see. But because with the absence of magic came a chill, and I needed to warm myself.
I cleared my throat as I tossed a quick glance to the ceiling. “I should rest.”
Orin was on his feet in a breath. “Of course. Good night, Edira.”
And with that, he reached for my hand to place a gentle kiss on my knuckles. A soft tingle spread through my fingers, but I didn’t have a chance to fully revel in the sensation before sleep dragged me under.
Nine
My dreams were fitful and fleeting, until I found myself once again in the cemetery outside Willowfell. Dappled midday sun filtered through the trees overhead, and I was lying on the ground between my parents’ graves. The grass was soft, the breeze peaceful and full of the scent of wildflowers. I had one hand over my mother and the other over my father, and everything was just socalm. I was among the dead, and they didn’t judge or demand or manipulate me to get what they wanted. I was simply existing.
But as I rolled grass between my fingers, the blades turned to mush and the ground trembled. The lush scenery decayed rapidly to gray as the earth came alive, shifting and squirming with golden beetles and soft yellow loam. A tomb opened up beneath me, and I fell into blight. Into decaying limbs and hollow eyes. Into a vat of disease that ate away at my skin. Into a stench-ridden catacomb with shredded Ever life threads wildly lashing about like withering vines. They snared my wrists and legs, dragging me under.Rotting soil filled my mouth as I screamed and succumbed to the certainty of death.
My eyes flew open with a sharp intake of breath, and my body went rigid. Fernglove. I was in Fernglove. My pulse hammered against my throat, and I was thankful, at least, that Ywena was not nearby to shock me. I’d dealt with enough Ever antics for a lifetime. My body was ready for a break.
A thin slice of sunlight cut through the curtains, and I peeled off the sheets and clambered out of bed. I made my way to the bathroom, grabbing my apothecary cases as I went. Technically, I didn’t need my tinctures. Vora’s concoction had worked wonders to alleviate my pains, but my remedies gave me comfort. Some semblance of control. So I drew a bath and added my favorite salts for relaxation.
After, I toweled off and dressed quickly, not bothering with a gown. Instead, I opted for pants and a loose blouse before immediately visiting my brothers. Relief sang through me at their unchanged state. I still had time. Not much, but enough to stir hope.
A soft knock preceded the quiet groan of hinges from the door. “Edira?”
I turned to find Vora standing in the open frame, her brows scrunched together in worry. I let my hands fall away from Noam and Nohr.
“How are you feeling?” she asked, voice low.
“Good. What was in that drink? I might need to steal that recipe from you,” I said with a smile.
“Maybe I’ll teach you,” she said. “But for now, you should eat. I’ve set up breakfast in your room.”
I followed her into my quarters without complaint. She tugged my hair into a braid while I devoured eggs and fruit, pausing only to sip coffee between bites. The window above my vanity was open, and I studied the sleepy lawns. Early-morning light bathed the lush fields in a soft glow, and the vibrant gardens were empty, savefor the marble statues manning the coiling pathways. The fountain centered in the middle of the pond was showering the water in a fine spray, and the countless droplets shimmered like falling diamonds in the sun’s rays. Yet, the stunning scenery wasn’t enough to hold my focus. My gaze traveled right back to that damn tree.
A chill crept down my spine as I cleared my throat. “What happened to Amalyss and Tasia?”
