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My heart swelled when my garden appeared in a haze of pulsingorem. The snow stopped at its perimeter, and a cloud of magic created a dome over it. Even though snowflakes scattered in the wind, when they hit my garden’s magic, they fizzled out of existence.
I stepped over the edge of its barrier, and the familiar tingle of magic brushed against my skin.
A smile split my lips. All of my crops shone in a rainbow of colors. They all appeared healthy, happy, and well cared for, even though it’d been months since anyone had tended to them.
“Hello, my friends,” I whispered and kneeled down to caress one of the pea pods.
“’Tis quite the home garden you have here, Ilara.” Haxil surveyed all of my plants and fruits. “Most impressive.”
My grin stretched, and I nodded toward the shed. “Gather whatever tools you need. There’s plenty here to feed all of us.”
Two hours later,we were all sitting in front of the warm fire, our bellies stuffed with rich acorlis, sweet berries, fresh salad, and herbed potatoes. A portion of meat would have helped, but I didn’t dare venture to old Dorn’s home to request a hen. It was possible the king would send fae to hunt for me if he learned that I’d forsaken a life of peace, and the less I involved my fellow villagers, the safer they would be.
The only fae we’d alerted to our presence were Birnee and Finnley. While the guards had been working in my garden, digging up food for us, Norivun and I had ventured to their homes.
We’d warned them that the king might use them against me if I defied him again. Their eyes had grown wide, and after a brief discussion, we all felt it was best not to take any chances.
Norivun and I had wanted to take them to the Cliffs of Sarum, but with how drained Norivun’s magic was, he wouldn’t be able to open a rip in his illusion.
So we’d all agreed it was best to mistphase them to a small island off the coast of Osaravee. Birnee had an old aunt who lived there. Few knew of her, so we hoped it would providesome protection.
It wasn’t a perfect plan, but it would keep them safe. For now.
Releasing a breath, I leaned back into my chair and thought of how my entire family and all of my friends’ lives had been turned upside down because of me.
Norivun nudged me, his gaze stormy as my worry strummed right out of me and into him.
“Come here.” He pulled me on his lap. The fire crackled in the hearth as he cradled me to him and trailed a hand up my back. I’d released my angel affinity, allowing my back to be bare as we all rested in my warm home.
“How’s your magic?” I asked.
He leaned back in his chair, getting a groan from the aging wood. He continued those lulling motions along my back, and a shiver danced up my spine. “Returning. My sensory affinity is nearly fully replenished.”
“And the others?”
“Useable, but still weak.”
I gave a swift nod and kept my life-giving affinity ignited along my property’s perimeter. If anyone came near, friend or foe, it would give me enough warning to mistphase all six of us elsewhere. We couldn’t risk the king capturing any of us again.
“So what’s the plan on the morrow?” Haxil raised an eyebrow from where he stood near the door.
“We begin our hunt for complete proof of what the king’s done,” I replied.
“And how do you propose we do that, Princess?”Ryder stood near the front window, his attention frequently drifting to the small yard and dark night beyond.
Norivun’s lips curved, and he glanced down at me. He didn’t speak for me, and I knew this would be how we ruled our land. Both of us leading. And when one of us was weakened, the other would stand in their stead, just as he’d done while I’d been locked in the dungeon.
I entwined my fingers with his, and the pad of my thumb grazed his eternal mark. An answering stroke of love came along our bond.
Addressing Ryder, I replied, “We need to find that warlock. If we can somehow get a confession from him, we may have the proof we need to convince the council and the Solis fae of the king’s involvement.”
Ryder’s eyes narrowed, and he cocked his head. “That doesn’t sound easy to accomplish.”
I nodded. “I don’t imagine it will be.”
Nish scowled as he shifted from where he stood near the bed chambers. “But how are we going to find him?”
I glanced at my mate, and Norivun frowned, his heavy brow drawing together as that daunting task loomed over us.
