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I’d wondered this entire time if that was true or not, but it seemed to solidify for me. Sai served his court well. My hands curled into fists, and I raised my chin. “I’ll help him. I’ll make sure he doesn’t fall.”
The Naga dusted his hands. “I hope you remember you said that, dear one.”
I parted my lips to protest, but in a blink I stood along the riverbank again, a tense Sai at my side, birds flying across the mist and into the glowing tangerine of the sun that had reached the tops of the trees.
“When you visit again, Sai,” the Naga said from his place in the middle of the river, his lower half scarcely visible above the water, “bring more of the kaju katli. Those are my favorites.” He bowed his head and slipped beneath the water.
For a moment we both stood, ankle deep in the sloshing edges of the river, trembling. Sai turned towards me and gripped my shoulder. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
His brow furrowed, and he brushed his thumb down my cheek, along my jaw.
“I’m all right, really.”
I pressed up on my tiptoes and kissed him. He groaned and wrapped an arm around my back. It was bizarre to feel so strongly for him so quickly. I’d barely known him a week, yet I knew I meant it when I told the Naga I’d protect him. I let my nose linger against his. “We need to get going, don’t we?”
“We should.”
We both hesitated to pull apart from the other as we worked our way up the bank. “Did you get what you needed?” I asked.
“Yes.”
“I won’t let you down this time. I’ll have a better grasp on my magic for this, I promise.”
He smiled, but it looked more like a grimace. “Lira…” We stared at each other, and he readjusted his pack and bowed his head like he changed his mind about what he’d planned to say. “You’re right, we should get going.”
He started walking, but it took me a minute to follow. Sai doubted me. He didn’t believe I’d be helpful. I’d only hesitated because I felt like my magic was harmful to others. This would be different. Sai was loyal to his court and tried to help his prince. I’d assist him and prove my usefulness. Then, after, I could discuss everything I’d been thinking. Maybe I could stay with him and his group. Perhaps my magic could be useful instead of destructive.
It was foolish to change my entire plan so rapidly, and I knew it. For the first time in my life, I felt like I’d found a place I’d actually be useful, though. The Naga had hinted about me having some role to play in the fairy politics. Perhaps this was it. I’d join Sai’s group, help them with whatever work they did for the Prasanna fairies. Once we finished this job, I could learn more about their history. But I somehow knew it was good. Everything about this felt right.
We both remained quiet on the several hours walk to the meeting spot for the team. When we arrived, sunshine glittered through slim gray trees, and most of the rest of the group had already arrived. Elisa stood next to Ishir, chatting by a tree. Neia looked up from where she sat cross-legged in front of a large map and jumped to her feet. Orman lifted the map, folded it, and tucked it into his pocket.
Neia nodded to me before speaking to Sai. “Luz should be along soon.”
Sai tucked his pack into the hollow of a tree, kicking leaves on top of it. “Good.”
“How’d things go with the Naga?”
“Successful.”
Neia dashed another look at me before squinting at him. “What’s wrong?”
Sai ran his fingers back through his hair. “Something he said bothered me. It was probably just him manipulating me to stir up fear.”
Neia placed her hands on her hips. “What did he—”
They both jerked their heads towards a clattering thunder from the forest. Orman pulled a crossbow off his back and looked down the center. Ishir removed his sword, and it gleamed along the edge as Elisa walked over to us, curling in closer to Neia.
I reached for Sai’s hand. He grimaced at my touch, and I snatched my fingers back. Had I misread him and what was between us? It felt like… more to me. Perhaps it was just a one-night thing for him, and it embarrassed him for me to acknowledge it in front of the group. He reached over and gave my palm a squeeze, an apology in his expression, before he dropped my hand and magic glittered around him, shifting his eye color to ebony as his zevar glowed.
Oh, he had to focus on whatever threat thundered its way towards us.
Of course.
I was making this all about me.
Hundreds of ivory horses with riders in gleaming uniforms clattered into the clearing and circled the group. Sai’s shadows slipped out, startling the horses, causing them to rear up and whinny. Their manes appeared almost wet as the hair tangled together and slapped against their necks.
