Page 66 of On Brutal Thrones

I shoot Thorian a look. “I’m suggesting I might be able to influence a small part of it. Maybe keep the plants away from us long enough to make a path.”

Fenric’s face brightens, then immediately becomes more cautious. “Can you do that?”

“I have absolutely no idea.”

Talon lets out a quiet breath. “That’s less reassuring.”

“I know.”

Thorian studies me. “What are the limits?”

“I don’t know those either.”

His mouth tightens.

“I told you this was a might.”

Talon steps closer, his expression more serious now. “Could using that much magic hurt you?”

I think about the cave. The exhaustion afterward. Waking in Fenric’s arms with my entire body feeling emptied out.

“Yes,” I admit.

All three of them immediately look less enthusiastic.

“But that was different,” I add. “I was forcing roots through stone while the walls were closing around us. This would be plants that are already above ground. I wouldn’t have to move all of them. Just enough to create a narrow path.”

“And keep it open while four people cross,” Thorian says.

“Yes.”

Fenric points toward the center. “And possibly while we retrieve the weapons.”

I swallow. “Possibly.”

Talon shakes his head. “I dislike how quickly that word keeps becoming more ambitious.”

Despite everything, I laugh.

Then I look toward the weapons again.

“Maybe we don’t decide that part yet. I can try making a path from here without any of us stepping into the field. If I can’t move the plants, we’ve lost nothing.”

Thorian considers that.

“And if you can?”

I look at the glittering weapons in the distance.

“Then we decide whether we’re brave enough, or stupid enough, to go after them.”

Fenric gives a small nod. “That sounds reasonable.”

“Again,” Talon says, “our standards for reasonable have deteriorated dramatically.”

No one argues.

I move closer to the edge of the field, stopping well beyond the reach of the nearest flower. My heart is beating harder now, nerves crawling beneath my skin. A few days ago, I had no idea how much this part of me was capable of. Now three men I love are standing behind me, waiting to see if I can use it to get us through another impossible challenge.