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I scanned the crowd until my gaze landed on a familiar figure dressed in a gown of Fall colors and standing with Carys and my aunt Calista. She was a petite half-brownie, half-elf, with curly brown locks and warm amber-colored eyes. She was the only prophetess in the land, making her respected and feared. Her attention jumped to me as if she sensed me seeking her out. She nodded once and I nodded back a silent agreement. I had to believe she could help. If not, I didn’t know of anyone else who could.
* * *
“Thankyou for taking the time to come and see me, Elvena. I’m sure you can’t wait to return to the Fall Court.”
She gave me a gentle smile and followed me into the palace foyer and through an archway to another hall. We strolled past two of my warriors and entered one of my sitting rooms with its wall of windows facing toward my brother’s Court of Rivers palace in the distance. We each took a seat in the soft armchairs.
Elvena was several centuries old, yet no single strand of white hair marred her head. The only sign of age was her tiny wrinkles, but her depth of knowledge of faerie lore revealed her actual age. She leaned forward in her chair and patted my hand.
“It’s my pleasure to help you, my dear. I’ve been expecting you to come to me for some time now.”
I cocked my head in confusion. “You have?”
A small chortle escaped her lips. “Yes, of course I have. I’m amazed it took you this long. I suspected you loved your Guardians long before you knew it yourself.”
A flicker of optimism lit up inside my chest, but the prickle of unease in her deep amber eyes made my stomach drop.
“I’m just going to come out and ask—do you know of a way to break the Tyvar curse?”
She exhaled slowly, leaning back into her chair. “I’m not sure how to break it, my child, but I may be able to seek out the information you need.”
“And how do you intend to do that?” I asked, curiosity pebbling through me.
Elvena smiled and clasped her hands together. “Your men will be key. They are full of memories and experiences I can connect with and search through. It doesn’t even matter if they remember it themselves. I just need to go far enough back.” She stood, her expression full of worry. “But know this—I cannot guarantee I’ll find the answers you seek.”
“It doesn’t matter,” I murmured, standing with her. “We have to try.”
Elvena lifted her palm to my cheek, her voice gentle. “And try we will. Now go fetch your protectors and meet me in the gardens for further instruction.”
I spun around and made my way out of the sitting room toward the back of the palace, where the training fields were located. Standing at the top of the stairs, I looked out to where my warriors were training, the noise of clanging swords ringing in the air. But Bayleon and Bastian were nowhere to be seen. I started going down to the fields when I sensed their presence nearby.
Taking light steps, I slowly made my way around the side of the palace and rested against the stone wall. Then, all of a sudden, I heard Bastian’s voice, so I held my breath and listened intently to what was said next.
Chapter8
Bayleon
Icouldn’t believe my eyes as I saw Bastian; his once-slumped shoulders were firm and determined, and his gaze was sharp and focused. Last night, he’d been on the brink of destruction, and today it seemed as if a new person had taken his place—a person whose passion burned through his veins, making each movement during his training with the warriors calculated and powerful.
As much as I wanted Lia in my bed, to have her in all the ways I’d dreamed of, I had to let her be with him. He needed her and she healed him, even if it was only a temporary reprieve. The curse was too deeply rooted to be healed by one night of lovemaking.
Unfortunately, I had now reached the point of no return. The night was hard, not only dealing with the pain ripping me apart from the inside out but also having the knowledge of knowing my brother got to be with the woman I loved. He spent the night touching her, tasting her . . . feeling her body wrapped around his. I didn’t begrudge him that, but my own need was burning inside me.
Tonight, Lia would be mine. I just had to wait it out.
After training with the warriors, I took a break and leaned against one of the magnolia trees, weary from the day’s exertion. I watched Bastian swing his sword with incredible speed and precision, performing each move perfectly. Finally, he finished with the warrior he was training and peered over at me, worry etching his face despite his silver mask.
He nodded over his shoulder toward a grove of pear trees that Lia had grown the night before and said in a low voice, “It’s probably time we talk.”
Once we reached the pear trees, I faced him, only able to see a shadow of his eyes through his mask.
“I see you’re doing much better today,” I said, trying to break the tension.
Bastian shook his head and sighed as he ran a hand through his hair. “I am, thanks to you and Lia.”
I shook my head quickly, denying my contribution. “It was all her.”
“No, it wasn’t,” Bastian fired back. “I know you’re in love with her, brother, and you need her just as much as I do.” Moving closer to him, I asked why he hadn’t told me of his suffering. His mouth pulled back in a scoff as he turned away from me. “Why didn’t you tell me about yours?”
