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“You are very forgiven, my sweet, and you were quite right; those were a massive pair of knockers.” She leaned down and kissed Davido, an expression of affection that went on and on.
Malik took Bernice on a second tour of the aviary.
After a good ten minutes of the sound of distant cooing between husband and wife, Malik heard Vojalie call to him. “Malik, you must come here. I have something to tell you.”
He returned quickly, by which time Bernice had seen enough of the aviary and wanted her mother’s arms.
Gathering the toddler back to her hip, Vojalie said, “I hadn’t planned on joining Davido on this trip, but as soon as he left I had another vision, which was almost violent in nature in terms of sensation.”
Malik wasn’t sure just how much more he could take. His night had begun with a terrible murder, followed by an overwhelming experience in Willow’s bed. And after realizing she was his blood rose, he’d had to contend with Davido’s insistence that the destiny of the Nine Realms would depend on his bonding with Willow.
He drew a deep breath. “What did you see?”
“I know there must be some sort of interpretation but not a single one of my usually competent fae intuitions could explain why the very center of your realm explodes in a burst of white light.”
“What?” His voice sounded dull to his own ears. “What on earth do you mean?” He shook his head several times. “Are you speaking about the end of the Nine Realms? Or just Ashleaf?”
Davido had drawn close to Vojalie and now had his arm around her waist. He had never appeared more serious as he once more looked up at her. “Yes, my love, I beg you will be more forthcoming. You have left even your husband shaking on his powerful troll legs.”
Vojalie frowned and shook her head. “I only wish I knew what to tell you because I have no real sense of the meaning. I can only report what I saw?”
Malik asked, “Can you at least tell me if the vision suggested something evil in this explosion? Will this be the work of one of my enemies? Or even Margetta?”
Vojalie sighed, settling into her shoulders. “I just don’t know, but I promise you that if I should learn something more I will contact Alexandra the Bad and have her relay the information. Or I’ll come myself, or Davido will.”
“And when does this event take place?”
Vojalie merely shrugged. “I’m sorry. I have no idea.”
When Bernice put her hand on Vojalie’s face and made a whimpering sound, even Malik understood that the youngster had had her fill of the visit.
Vojalie kissed Bernice on the forehead. “I need to get her home.”
Malik nodded. He promised that he would think carefully about what each had told him. After an exchange of farewells, the couple vanished. He stared at the empty space, wondering what the hell it meant that part of his realm would explode into a ball of white light.
~ ~ ~
Willow had exhausted herself raising shields against the small roving light that had drawn so close to her treehouse complex. She had no idea who the entity could be but feared that it was Margetta, also known as the Ancient Fae, the woman who had created the Invictus centuries ago.
Though the entity kept tapping on her mind, trying to gain entrance, she blocked her telepathy. She had no idea who had come to her home.
Finally, when a severe headache threatened, she allowed the telepathic communication.
Willow, I do beg your pardon for coming unannounced, but I had to speak with you.
Willow sank back into her wooden porch chair. Illiandra, thank the Goddess, it’s you. But please tell me that you are nearby because all I can see is a small white light in the distance?
Yes, I’m about thirty feet away, and I have a flashlight because I’ve had the worst time finding your home.
Willow explained. It’s under a protective spell, but why didn’t you tell me you were coming? Willow had an understanding with Illiandra that her visits would always be prearranged.
There wasn’t time to take the usual careful measures. I’ve had a vision.
Willow groaned inwardly. Now, what?
She removed the charm and a few seconds later, Illiandra floated through the woods straight for the meditation porch.
Illiandra had assumed a fae form, something most pure-blood wraiths could do, even when they didn’t bear fae blood. She landed lightly on the wood porch.
