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I parted my lips and sang, a note that rippled into the darkness and stirred wind which whirled leaves around. Sai’s eyes glittered like a night sky, his zevar lighting up as some of his magic crackled into the atmosphere alongside mine and shadows slipped up, curling around my feet until they dispersed into the night.
Luz tapped into their powers and magic crawled over my skin, tangled into my heartbeat, and whispered down my veins.
“Tu magia ahora nunca camina sola,” Luz whispered. “Ni andaréis solos, sino más bien unidos como un solo espíritu.”1
The blood moon shifted from behind the clouds. It had turned crimson during our escape and slowly darkened until its form shined over our party, so we appeared like spirits haunting the forest. For a moment we remained frozen. The wind rustled and tossed Sai’s dark hair. His focus remained on me. He seemed to have forgotten Seelie guards chased after us and our group possessed several stolen goods. Including me, I guess.
“We should go,” Neia said, “before we waste much more time.”
“Right.” Sai gave his head a shake and patted Luz on the back. “Thank you.”
“Anytime, Sai.”
He gave them a wry look. “Come on,” he said to no one in particular. “The Jaya mountains are only an hour past the river. We’ll be home soon.”
He turned and trekked down the bank, but I remained standing in the long grass, my boots sinking into the mud.
Home.
I didn’t even know what the word meant. I’d once imagined the human country of Madalia where I’d grown up was home. They wouldn’t have wanted me there if they’d known about my magic, though. They would have expelled me if they’d ever discovered my powers. So that wasn’t home. I’d never had one.
More importantly, I wasn’t sure if I’d ever have one.
“Here, Lira.” Elisa stepped beside me. She pulled a long skirt and blouse out of her bag and offered it to me.
I gripped it appreciatively, my fingers sinking into the fabric. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” She squeezed my arm. “And thank you for saving us.”
“I’m no savior. I was just there.”
Her lips pulled up in a gentle smile. “There and willing to act is half of what makes a hero.”
I sighed and rolled the clothing under my arm. I’d try and keep it dry as we crossed the river and put it on after we’d made it to the other side.
“Don’t worry.” Elisa grinned at me. “The Prasanna lands are eternally in summer. You don’t need to fear being cold from this point forward.” She smiled again and turned away to accept Neia’s outstretched hand before drifting into the water beside her.
I bowed my head.
That sentiment was probably true for Elisa. She was kindness embodied. Someone like her probably took warmth with her everywhere. She didn’t know that ice wasn’t just my magic but part of me. Maybe I belonged to the Seelie court with their eternal winters. I trusted nothing now except for my bitter heart which pounded with the second infusion of new magic in one night. Mother had foisted the sirens’ powers on me at the gala, and now I’d accepted some of Sai’s magic with the marriage vow. The world blurred as I tried to focus on my vision and adjust to all the powers mingling within me.
I hadn’t even figured out the weight of holding our group’s siren magic that thrummed through me, and now I had some of Sai’s magic whirling around alongside it. I was stuck with both for life.
Those heavy thoughts propelled me forward as my legs dipped into the warm water.
1 Translation: “Your magic no longer walks alone. Now you, also, will no longer walk alone, but rather united as one spirit.”
CHAPTERTWO
LENNOX
Father frownedat the ruined ballroom. Serfs worked on removing the burnt trees. The sky outside the windows hadn’t lightened yet but the fading crimson of the blood moon worked its way down behind the woods. A dozen high-ranking officials stood at attention before Father as he addressed them. “What other damages are there?”
“The safes are all secure,” Sir Eldrick replied.
“Good.” Father paced across the floor. “Any deaths?”
“None.”
