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Heath.
The familiar voice in his thoughts made Heath pause mid-sentence, instantly dismissing the conversation with Percival from his mind.
Yes, Merletta, I can hear you! he wanted to call back, but of course she couldn’t hear him. Her image filled his vision, and he was pleased to see not just her face, but all of her. She was floating in shallow water, her hand above her head, just breaking the surface. But it didn’t look like the island.
Heath, I…I don’t really know how to say this. Her mouth was moving now, as she spoke the words aloud. I probably should have told you earlier, but there was no way to hear a reply, and…
She gave a self-conscious laugh. Tides above, I don’t even know if you can hear me now. This feels ridiculous.
“Heath, did you hear me? What in dragon’s flame are you doing?”
Heath heard his brother’s voice as if from far away. He ignored it completely, all his focus on Merletta.
But I really hope you can, otherwise I’ve got no idea what we’ll do next. Heath, I’m…I’m here. I’m off the coast of Valoria now.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Heath gave an audible gasp, his mind spinning wildly with the information that Merletta was actually there.
There’s no way for me to hear you, of course, Merletta continued, her voice as clear in his mind as if she was standing next to him. So I thought I’d just have to try to tell you where I am, and hope you’ll come and find me. I remembered you saying that your manor is near the southernmost point of land, and I think I can see the peninsula you mean.
Heath could hear the pride in her voice as she stumbled over the word peninsula—it was one he’d taught her.
Merletta kept talking, trying to describe her surroundings. But it wasn’t enough to go on. Heath considered calling Reka—the dragon would be able to find Merletta within minutes. But without understanding the source of his friend’s disapproval regarding Merletta, he was reluctant to bring Reka into the situation before Merletta was safely on land.
Safely on land! With him! He could hardly take it in. Was she really coming to his world, like he’d tried to coax her to do? He’d never thought she’d actually agree.
He told himself firmly that he didn’t need the dragon for this. Reka assured him his magic was strong—he would have to trust that it was strong enough for the task. And if he succeeded…his mind filled with visions of Merletta in his world, visiting his home, surrounded by his family.
It filled him with jittery nerves, but it wasn’t an unpleasant sensation.
Pushing aside all other considerations, and still tuning out Percival’s continued attempts to get his attention, Heath reached inside himself and took firm hold of his magic. It came more easily than it ever had before, and he gasped again as his vision zoomed, giving the impression that he was flying backward in Reka’s talons. He found himself looking down at the blurry shape of Merletta, just submerged beneath choppy water. He cast his sight around, and got a good look at the shoreline.
He let out a triumphant cry. He knew that place! She’d overshot to the west, but not by too far. It wasn’t more than an hour’s ride.
A sudden painful pressure on his shoulder brought his attention back to his immediate surroundings. Percival was gripping him with uncomfortable strength, and although his face showed nothing but irritation, Heath’s magic was in full swing, and it brought him a strong sense of alarm from his brother’s direction. It wasn’t entirely uncalled for. Heath must have looked like he was in some kind of strange trance.
“I have to go,” Heath said abruptly. “I’m going for a ride.”
“What?” Percival was more alarmed than ever. “What are you talking about? It’s freezing out there.”
“Good point,” Heath said earnestly. He pictured Merletta’s usual attire and let out a choking laugh before he could stop himself. “Better grab as many cloaks as I can carry,” he muttered.
Without another word to Percival, he took off down the corridor. He made straight for Laura’s old room, shamelessly rifling through those of his sister’s belongings which had been left behind when she’d married. He didn’t know what would fit Merletta, but he found a few winter dresses, which he shoved into a large rucksack.
Within fifteen minutes, he was on his favorite mare, urging her west along the coastline. The air was freezing, but there hadn’t been a fresh fall for days, and the road was clear. Heath barely felt the chill, his mind separated from what was actually around him, focused instead on Merletta’s surroundings. She’d retreated underwater to wait, but regularly surfaced to scan the shoreline.
When the landmarks on the road ahead aligned with what he could see in his visions of Merletta, Heath’s heart lurched in excitement. He slowed his horse to a walk, searching for a way down to the shore below. There was a path, uneven but not too treacherous. He dismounted, leading his horse by the halter. In finer weather, he would have left her to graze on the grassy hilltop, but he wouldn’t do that to her in the snow.
Heath stumbled more than once, his eyes riveted on the choppy surface of the ocean. With a cry, he saw what he was seeking—a head of dark tangled hair emerging.
“Heath!” Merletta’s cry carried clearly across the windy shoreline.
Letting go of his horse’s halter, Heath stumbled toward the water’s edge. Merletta had disappeared under the surface again, but he knew she was just swimming to the shallows more quickly. When her head once again appeared, she was smiling tentatively. Just the sight of her wet hair and bare shoulders made Heath shiver.
“Aren’t you freezing?” he asked.
She looked surprised. “The water is definitely cold for how close I am to the surface,” she agreed. She gave an incredulous laugh. “But is that really your first question?”
