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“Anytime.” I stood and started pacing again. “We leave at dawn? I’d like to be there.”

“I know,” she said tracing my path with her eyes. “But I’d like to stay out there a bit longer. You were in control for quite a while, you know. And before you remind me again, I know this is not a game.” She held up a palm to stop my interruption.

I rolled my shoulders back. She was right, this was her body. This situation we were in was her doing. She had dissolved the illusion of my body at the most inopportune time, and because of it, Rivven had suffered horribly. She’d grown since making that one horrible decision, and I truly believed she would release me again if she could. She was, in my heart, my sister, and I had to trust her at least until we could figure out how to let me out for real. No matter how hurt or angry I felt, fighting to overtake her body was not an option and never would be for me.

“Okay,” I agreed. “How about we say three days each?”

She nodded as she rose, clapping her hands together. It was then it occurred to me that she wasn’t dressed in one of her usual pastel gowns, but fighting leathers like I favored.

“I’m glad you’re coming out of your cocoon.”

She smiled, showing her teeth. “I am too. And I owe you an apology.”

“Me?” I asked, unsure what she meant. I knew my creation was an accident, but I wasn’t sorry I existed, no matter how bizarre that existence may be.

“I’ve been jealous of you, Nye.” She averted her eyes, but I grabbed her arms to draw her gaze back to me. “You are everything I’ve ever dreamed of being, and when you actually went out there, fighting and falling in love, well, it felt like you were more alive than I had ever been.”

“Oh, Rune,” I started, but she waved me off.

“No, let me finish. I was jealous, convinced that Torvo wanted you at first. And I was right. But I also know he wants me now. The real me, whatever that means. And instead of being mad at you or disappointed in myself, I’ve decided I should just be the person I want to be so there’s nothing to be jealous of. I choose to be a fighter, so I’ll stand up for what’s right, even when it’s hard. And if I want to fall in love—well, I suppose that’s already happened. Do you forgive me?”

Without a second thought I pulled her in and hugged her, finally unafraid she’d crumble to dust in my arms.

Twenty-Five

Leuruna

Our little group had grown. Gathered around me were Torvo, Rivven, Galan, Kendara, Hymer, and to my surprise, Devira. We had supplies, weapons, and what I learned were firebirds whose shiny feathers intrigued me, but whose enormous, sharp beaks intimidated me.

“You will ride with me,” Torvo murmured by my ear, sensing my trepidation.

“On Ash?” I asked, noting the shiny black alicorn waiting patiently nearby.

“No.”

I spun to find him smirking at my surprise. “Ash is needed to carry someone else since only two firebirds responded to Kendara’s call.”

“Should there have been more?” I asked.

“There were three on the ride here.” Torvo’s tone was ominous, but I decided not to press.

I was sufficiently distracted by Torvo’s removing his shirt and spreading his beautiful silver wings. With a gasp of admiration, I reached out to stroke the soft edges. To my astonishment he released a soft moan when I did so.

“Oh,” I said, withdrawing my hand. But he captured it between his own, looking deep into my eyes.

“I would very much enjoy your exploring further when we are alone, Princess.”

I hoped he would scoop me into his arms soon because I wasn’t sure how long I could remain standing when he used that smoky voice.

“Ready?” Kendara called from the back of a firebird. She looked every bit the warrior.

Still silent and brooding, Rivven mounted Ash. It was preferable to his anger the night before, but I wished I could reach him somehow. Nyah had assured me he would come around eventually, but I wasn’t so sure. Nor did I blame him.

Both Devira and Hymer unfolded their own impressive wings—though nowhere near as majestic as those belonging to my prince. Devira wore a band of navy material around her breasts that fell just below her shoulder blades, where her wings protruded from her back. Hers were salt and pepper with dark spots throughout, giving them a lovely depth. Hymer’s were a startling emerald green, which I realized belatedly matched his eye. His chest was toned and muscled, the only sign of his mature age being the grey tuft that curled in the center and matched the streaks in his hair.

Galan coaxed the second bird into the air, and Torvo swept me off my feet, cradling me against his broad chest as we rose. The soft rush of his wings was like music as he followed Hymer’s lead off the edge of the sky kingdom and into the open air beyond. When we reached the outside of the dome of gloom that marked the boundary of my father’s magic, I buried my face against his smooth skin in response to the sudden harsh burst of sunlight. The stark difference between the gray haze, thick and suffocating as smoke, and the fresh air and glaring sunlight was so sudden, my mind spun. The wrongness of the dark magic sent a shudder through me.

If we didn’t do something soon, not only were the people of Astridon doomed to the fate of Centos, but the beautiful forests would also wither and die. The trees here weren’t as hardy as those in the Night Forest. Or maybe that was what they would be forced to become over time.