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I knew we needed to return to Mervalee. Knew that I needed to be standing on home soil when I made the choice to forsake a life of peace.
But seeing the Crimsonales’ unwillingness to act without absolute proof made me realize what we were up against. If Lord Crimsonale was reluctant to take action, a male who knew of the king’s previous actions, then the other councilors certainly wouldn’t side with us, and neither would the Solis fae.
We needed to build a strong and formidable case against the king if we were ever to dethrone him and keep him from reclaiming his power in the future.
Which meant we neededeveryoneon our side.
And there was only one way I could think of to do that.
An hour later,I finally mistphased all of us to Mervalee Territory just as the destruction in the castle threatened to start up again.
We reappeared in my childhood home, and after everything that had happened in the past three days, the scent and feel of the one place in my life where I’d always felt safe nearly undid me. I turned slowly around, soaking everything in. The worn table, scarred counters, cracked windowpane, old floorboards. All of it.
The scent of my family still hung in the air even though dust motes flew around us. The room was cold, the air chilled, but with a wave of my hand, my fire affinity ignited the wood within the hearth.
Flames flared within the fireplace, slowly taking the chill from the air, while Norivun’s four guards eyed everything with curiosity. The last time I’d been here had been on my one and only official Trial date with the prince. He’d taken me home, brought my sister and friends along, and we’d enjoyed a carefree night of laughter and drink.
How long ago that date now felt.
“Are you doing okay?” Norivun asked softly.
I gave a stiff nod even though heavy emotions clogged my throat. “I am.”
Norivun leaned forward, clasping my hands in his. “Are you sure you want to do this? The bargain protects you. If you choose to stay here, you’ll be allowed to live in peace. My father can’t take you again, lest he wants to anger the gods and goddesses a second time.”
“He may not be able to take me, but he can still start a war, and not even the bargain could protect me from that.” My long hair fell over my shoulders when I gazed up at him. “Besides, you know I would never agree to be parted from you. I belong where you are.”
He cupped my cheek and ran his lips along mine softly. All four guards turned, giving us their backs and what little privacy they could in such a small space.
I fingered the silver eternal mark on Norivun’s finger before declaring, “Bound forever, remember?”
His jaw worked, the muscle tightening in the corner as the firelight danced in his glittery sapphire eyes. “Forever.”
Tilting my chin upward, I stated in a loud voice, “I’ve been returned home and have been given the option to live here in peace, but my answer is no. I wish to leave and fight the king.”
A flare abruptly burned on my inner wrist, and the leaf once again made an appearance just as Norivun’s did the same before both marks flashed out of existence, and this time, I knew they would never return.
From here on, my mate and I were on our own.
Norivun pulled me closer and wrapped me in his embrace. “The gods heard you, my love, and they’ve answered. They won’t protect you from the king again.”
“I know, and I don’t want them to. I want to fight by your side as I was destined to always do.”
He inhaled along my neck, and a spark of hope billowed through me that perhaps his sensory affinity was beginning to respond. “How’s your magic?”
He lifted his head just enough to press kisses along my jaw. “It’s starting to come back. It’s been long enough since Tylen’s last visit that I’m beginning to feel hints of it.”
“How long do you think it’ll be before you can access it?”
“With some food and rest, a few hours, but it’ll be a day or two until I’m fully well.”
“Then we’ll stay here for the night. My garden is likely to be overflowing by now. I’ll dig up some acorlisand harvest some of the vegetables and berries. We won’t have any meat, but it’ll be enough to get you recharging.”
Norivun nodded. “We can all help.”
Without waiting for an order, Haxil, Nish, Sandus, and Ryder all went to the back door, and Haxil pulled it open. Cold air immediately blew into the kitchen, but I flamed my fire higher in the fireplace, and it chased the chill away.
The six of us ventured outside into the cold, dark night. Several feet of snow covered the land, yet the path to my garden was still visible. Light from the three moons guided the way, sparkling off the snow like diamonds.
