Page 20 of Songs of Sacrament


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“Shaan?” Lira called.

I looked back over my shoulder. “Yes?”

“Thank you for walking me here.”

I nodded and continued my escape. Lira’s eyebrows had drawn together, and she looked ready to walk towards me and possibly apologize, but she couldn’t understand the situation. She didn’t know what it was like to fall in love with someone only for them to use and betray you. And she certainly didn’t understand what it was like for that being to color every aspect of her life. If I could possess a single form of magic for a day, I’d take memory magic and rewind time until I could undo mine and Lennox’s actions, his treachery, my embarrassment and foolishness.

I’d undo falling in love with him if I could orchestrate it.

Those heavy thoughts weighed me down as I retreated towards my room, my slippers slapping against the tiles with how fast I moved.

CHAPTEREIGHT

LENNOX

I droppeda saddle onto a kelpie and the creature startled, lifting its navy head back and giving a loud whinny. I looked over my shoulder to make sure no one heard the noise, but the stables remained quiet as they gleamed in moonlight.

Aila clutched the bag of food she’d packed tighter. “Are you certain this is a good idea?”

I accepted the sack from her and stuffed it into the saddlebag. “I can’t explain why, but it’s imperative we rescue the girl Prince Sai stole.”

“Surely this is a job soldiers could handle.”

I yanked the strap tighter around the kelpie’s belly and it snuffled against my shoulder. “I believe my father intends to handle it, but I think I can do so without inciting a war that would cause senseless Seelie deaths.”

She bit her lip, and the wrinkles around her eyes tightened. “If you get yourself killed?”

“There’re few who would grieve it.”

“Lennox.” Her voice grew sharp, but a waiver had entered it as well. “Don’t say that.”

I turned towards her and leaned forward to press a kiss to her forehead. “Forgive me, Aila. I’m in a cynical frame of mind. I’ll be careful, I promise.” I dropped to a whisper. “I’m hoping I can call on my connections with Prince Shaan to get her back. I’m… I’m not sure where we stand, but I don’t believe he’d harm me. Hopefully, he’ll listen, and we can avoid any skirmish between our people.”

Aila wrung her hands together, and her zevar glimmered as she brushed her fingers over the kelpie’s snout. The creature turned a dusky hazel color, the luster of its magic dulling. “That should help you blend in should you pass through human cities.”

I hadn’t thought of that, and I should have since Aila’s magic wasn’t rooted in glamour as mine was. She had a fair amount of magic, though. When my grandparents had selected her as Mother’s nursemaid, that was a requirement. The Froh had never detested magic the way the Seelie did.

“Thank you.”

“Promise me you’ll eat and sleep some. Take care of yourself, Lennox, for me if no other reason.”

“I’ll do my best.”

She clicked her tongue and patted me affectionately again. “I’ll keep the guards at the back distracted.”

“Thank you. I’ll see you soon.”

“I’m holding you to that, Master Lennox.”

I grinned at her and swung up on the kelpie while she opened the gate. I waited for her to exit, gave her a few minutes to pull the guards aside, and I kicked the sides of the creature. He picked up into a gallop, sailed out of the barn, and trundled over the Seelie grounds.

Our wards normally alerted Father if someone went in or out of the boundaries.

It didn’t work for those of royal blood, however. Father valued his autonomy too damn much for that, and it aided my purposes now.

We reached the river, and the kelpie slowed, sinking into the water. If he submerged, he could shift into his water form, blending in with the sandy river as he whirled through grasses and rushed past the rocks.

“Not right now, boy.” I nudged him again. “We have days of travel to cover.”

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