Seared

by Bethany Adams

  His blood chilled at her words. “She asked to leave, Eri. It was what she wanted.”

  “I thought once Kai brought you both here, everything would be fine.”

  “That’s why you broke the rules by meddling in grown-up magic?” Ralan demanded.

  She lifted her chin. “You didn’t say I couldn’t use the mirror.”

  “Erinalia!” he snapped. “We both know I don’t have to forbid every item on this estate by name. We do not use other people’s magical objects, nor do we mess with their spells. It is common courtesy in Moranaia, as we have discussed already.”

  Her shoulders slumped, and she looked down at her lap. “I’m sorry. Lady Megelien told me it was important for Kai to go get you. She showed me what to do.”

  Ralan froze at that. “The goddess guided you?”

  “Yes,” Eri said. She looked at Lyr. “I really am sorry for using your mirror. I know I should’ve come and got you, but the Lady said it would be fine.”

  Lyr opened his mouth and then closed it, his expression stunned. Finally, he shook his head. “It’s okay, Eri. But ask next time. I’m getting used to doing strange things for seers.”

  I trusted you.

  Ralan’s jaw clenched as the memory of Lyr’s words shoved into his brain. Gods, he wished Eri hadn’t been cursed with this same gift. Would she struggle to avoid hurting her friends someday? Be forced to guide them through the uncertain futures?

  “Time for bed,” Ralan said. “It’s dawn, and I’m sure you haven’t slept. I’m too tired to deliver the rest of my lecture, anyway.”

  Her usual grin lit up her face. “That’s okay. I heard it all in a different strand.”

  A startled laugh slipped free, and he heard Lyr smother a chuckle. “Bed, Eri.”

  She stood, and her expression turned serious again. “You’re going to have to work a lot harder with Cora gone. But we can talk about that later.”

  Ralan stared at his daughter as she darted out the door. He was too stunned to call her back, and he wasn’t sure he wanted an explanation in any case. Not now. But he knew Eri.

  There would be a later.

  Maddy sat in her driveway, the car growing warmer by the moment as she stared at the light glowing in the living room window. It had taken her a good bit of time to stumble her way around the ridge to find Cora’s car. Then she’d sat inside with the doors locked for a solid ten minutes as she’d waited for her phone to charge so she could use the GPS. She’d called her father and Anna to tell them she was fine before heading home.

  Now she was oddly hesitant to go inside.

  Inside their small condo, Anna waited. She was the best thing that had ever happened to Maddy. They’d been together for over a year and had lived together for three months. As soon as she walked in that door, Anna would envelop Maddy in her soft, loving arms. She would make a cup of tea and tuck Maddy onto the couch with a soft throw.

  Maybe.

  Dread tightened her insides. Anna was human. She’d learned of Maddy’s heritage before they’d moved in together and had said it didn’t bother her. But how could Maddy talk to her about all that had happened? Blood magic, energy poisoning, elves from other worlds—that was a lot of strange to accept.

  Then there was Fen. Maddy dropped her head to the steering wheel and closed her eyes. That brush of his lips against her forehead had brought more than comfort. If she were honest, she’d felt inexplicably drawn to him from the moment he’d entered the cavern. It had been fear of his Unseelie magic, hadn’t it? She refused to dwell on that brief tingle brought on by a man who’d helped keep her captive. Nope.

  A knock against the glass had Maddy jerking upright, a scream slipping from her lips. Had Kien found her? She shoved a hand against her pounding heart, and she braced herself for danger. But instead of the dark prince she’d half-feared, Anna stood on the other side of the window, brows drawn in worry.

  What had she been thinking? Kien wouldn’t have freaking knocked.

  Some of her tension unwound at the sight of Anna’s heart-shaped face. The wind whipped her chin-length, blond hair into her eyes, and she pushed it back with her usual, sharp motions. Maddy found herself smiling. She grabbed her phone from the passenger seat and opened the door, slowly so that Anna could shift back.

  They stared at one another for a moment. Then Anna launched into her arms and smothered her face with kisses. “I almost called the police a million times.”

  “I know, love,” Maddy whispered. She lowered her forehead to Anna’s. “I’m sorry. All of this is so weird. I was just sitting here trying to figure out how to talk about it.”

  “You will when you’re ready.” Anna grabbed her hand and tugged. “Let’s go in. You can take a shower and change, and then I’ll make you some tea.”

  Maddy’s smile widened.

  Everything was going to be okay.

  Ralan slumped into the chair Eri had vacated and let his head drop against the back. Outside the window, the sun peeked over the edge of the mountain, spilling light into the valley that stretched to the east of the estate. Rose-gold tipped the wispy clouds drifting across the bits of sky he could see through the break in the trees.

  He might find it beautiful if his life hadn’t gone to shit.

  The steady drip of the water clock was the only sound as Lyr stared from across the room. Ralan counted thirty-seven drops before his friend finally spoke. “By all the gods of Arneen, Ralan, what happened?”

  He forced himself to straighten so he could meet Lyr’s eyes. As Ralan recounted the events of the past few days, his muscles tightened. His friend’s expression remained impassive, yet thoughtful, but the judgment was surely coming. He’d been affected by one of Ralan’s faulty visions before this giant muck up, after all. Now all of Moranaia would suffer for it.

  “If I’d Seen even a fraction of all this…” Ralan rubbed his hand across his face. “I should have been able to stop him in that cave. I could have ordered Inona out of the way before he caught her or found a way around his shielding. Something.”

  Lyr’s brows pinched, and his arms tightened across his chest. “Has it occurred to you that Kien was supposed to return?”

  Ralan stared at his friend in stunned silence. Then he shook his head. “What?”

  “I’ve long had the feeling there was something greater at play here,” Lyr said. “At first, I thought I was merely annoyed by your interference. But… Clechtan, Ralan. If the goddess Megelien has blocked your Sight but is giving your six-year-old orders? Something major is happening. Perhaps She wanted Kien back here.”

  “Maybe,” Ralan murmured.

  Echoes of other visions slipped into his thoughts. The island rising through the waves, a spell that would require Kai and Eri at the least. Eri would be queen of that place, but Ralan hadn’t yet found the strand that led to its creation. Did Kien have anything to do with it? Improbable, but there was no way for him to know. Not until his Sight cleared.

  Frowning, Ralan glanced back at Lyr. “I’ve foreseen a time when the elves might have to return to Earth. It’s murky. A puzzle that has been bothering me for weeks.”

  Lyr’s eyebrows drew up. “You think it’s related?”

  “I don’t know.” Ralan let out a slow breath in annoyance. “The vision is a fragment with no context. But if there’s any possibility of it coming true, I’d say you’re right about something major brewing. The only clear thing I know is that Kai has to master his power over earth. If I can tell you more, I will.”

  Lyr peered at him for a moment. “I’m surprised you told me that.”

  “Me, too.” Ralan shrugged. “But I’m weary. The burden of this gift… In a way, it was unfair of me to give you a taste of it. That fragment may be a future unrealized. Who knows?”

  “There’s a reason I’ve insisted on my people learning human languages.” Lyr straightened, his arms dropping to his sides. “I’ve long thought our return inevitable. With advances in technology, humans are going to discov
er the magical races. I’d like to be prepared in case we need to send some of our people through to help.”

  The door opened, and Arlyn slipped inside. “Selia should be down soon. Iren was complaining about getting out of bed so early since he can’t go watch the warriors train anymore.”

  Heaving a sigh, Ralan shoved to his feet. Once Arlyn’s magic teacher got her son settled, she would come downstairs to plan. He would have to leave that in Lyr’s hands. “It’s time for me to return to the palace.”

  Lyr frowned. “With Kien nearby?”

  “Now that he has found a way through, he doesn’t need to kill you to try to break the spell binding him.” Ralan rubbed his hand across his stomach at the odd tug within. An instinct, almost like a vision, goaded him, but he could find no clear strand. “He wants to be king. If he’s heading anywhere, it’s the palace. I just don’t know how or when.”

  “What about Eri?” Lyr asked.

  “She will be safer here. I’ll kiss her goodbye before I leave.” He hesitated. “You are still willing to care for her if…?”

  Though a hint of uncertainty entered his friend’s gaze, he nodded. “We will.”

  “Then I’ll bid you farewell.”

  As Ralan strode through the door, he couldn’t help but wonder if he would see Lyr again. If the kiss he gave Eri would be his last. He reached for the future strands for some hint, but they danced out of reach. As usual of late.

  He headed out the back exit and started down the garden path. Morning birds called their songs, and the burble of water flowing over rock sounded through the empty trails. Light built around him, dancing between the branches along with the first falling leaves of early autumn. He breathed in the crisp air. Too bad he wouldn’t be here for the Equinox Festival. The season of Morne was his favorite—he’d even used the word as his last name on Earth—and he would’ve loved to experience it here again. Yet another regret.

  Ralan turned down the back trail. Only a few paces from the guest tower, the vision hit.

  Cora stretched out a trembling hand, and a shimmer of blue leaped to life. Her head fell back, and her eyes slipped closed. For endless time, she stood there, her posture growing straighter and her hand steadier.

  The portal to Galare?

  He tried to focus the vision, but he stopped when it hazed. “Watch,” Megelien whispered.

  The blue glow shifted, the wavering light becoming tinged with hints of black. Then a dark form materialized. As a man slipped out of the portal, Ralan tried to call out. But of course he couldn’t. Cora’s eyes snapped open as the man’s hand wrapped around her arm. He jerked her off balance, and she stumbled.

  The stranger tugged her toward the portal with an angry scowl. “You will pay, Cora.”

  Ralan’s vision went black before the world returned to painful focus. His heart pounding, he searched for his link to Cora. Although it was there, as solid as ever, her thoughts were sealed from him. Was it the distance, or had she blocked him on purpose?

  He took off down the trail, darting around the guest tower on his way to the portal. There was so much he had to do, but none of it mattered. The kingdom had lasted millennia, and the palace was well-guarded. He would have Lyr warn Teyark to protect their father.

  Selfish or not, he was going after Cora.

  Chapter 25

  Cora shot Kai an annoyed glare as he walked with her along the ridgeline. Returning to the full dark of night was disorienting after seeing the dawn on Moranaia, but she could manage. She wasn’t entirely helpless. “You don’t have to stay with me until Maddy gets here.”

  With a quick grin, he lifted a shoulder. “You’re unarmed, it’s late, and Kien could be anywhere. You’ll just have to deal with me tagging along.”

  “Then hand me a knife and go.”

  “Have I caused you some offense?” Kai asked.

  Cora huffed. “No.”

  “Then what’s the problem?”

  “I want to be alone,” she said. She stomped through the thickening forest as the ridge began to level out. “I don’t want to think about any Moranaians right now.”

  “Ah,” Kai said with a sharp nod. “You’re ticked at Ralan. Easy to get that way, really.”

  “I left your pack in your car,” Cora muttered. “I’m surprised he didn’t thank me for the good time while he was at it.”

  Kai made a choked sound. At her narrowed gaze, he made a valiant effort to smother the laugh. “Sorry. Not what I expected to hear from a princess.”

  She chilled at his words. He might have overheard that she was from Galare, but no one had mentioned her rank. “Princess?” she asked, careful to keep her tone even.

  “You’re bonded to Ralan, right?” Kai’s eyebrow quirked. “That’s the same as being married among my people. You’d be the same rank as him.”

  “Well, we’re not on Moranaia.” When they reached the driveway where Maddy was supposed to meet her, Cora nearly groaned. Her friend wasn’t there yet. Frustration had her hands clenching as she rounded on Kai. “Look, you seem nice enough. But I really would like to be alone.”

  But the elf’s easy humor had disappeared, his expression completely serious. “I owe Ralan.”

  She stifled the urge to punch him. “I don’t care.”

  “I do.” His lips firmed. “I was an asshole to him a few days ago when he was only trying to help. He messes up sometimes, but he’s a good friend. He didn’t deserve the brunt of my anger.”

  Cora scowled. “What does that have to do with me?”

  A faint smile crossed Kai’s lips. “It’ll tick you off more, but…I’m not going to let Ralan’s bonded hang out here unprotected. Not with Kien on the loose. And before you say it, it’s not because you’re female. You’re weak from lack of energy. Believe me when I tell you that tromping through the woods at night with low energy is never a good idea.”

  Something in the tone of his voice told her he’d had a bad experience in just such a situation, but she didn’t ask about it. Kai had a good point, as much as she hated to admit it. Ralan had given her enough energy to walk without toppling over, but that was it. If she had to use her magic in self-defense, she would probably collapse.

  “Fine,” Cora said. “But can we talk about something besides Ralan? Who was the woman who came with you?”

  “Arlyn.” Kai’s expression softened. “My soulbonded. The estate we just left? She’s the half-blood daughter of the lord in charge, Lyr. She arrived from Earth a couple of months ago. Ralan and Eri came back not long after she met us, actually.” Kai winced. “Shit. Sorry.”

  She bit back a sigh. “Let’s forget talking.”

  Two beams of light glowed through the trees, bouncing as the approaching car crept over the ruts in the dirt driveway. Cora stiffened, and beside her, Kai’s hand rested on the hilt of his sword. Grimacing, she gestured at the forest.

  “Maybe you should hide behind a tree. That might not be Maddy.” She pointed at his weapon. “A guy standing around with a sword would definitely cause a problem.”

  With a grin, he cast a glamour around himself. “There. Problem solved.”

  Cora shook her head at him and turned her attention to the approaching vehicle. But she couldn’t help the small smile that tipped her lips. If she lived on Moranaia, she had a feeling she would be friends with Kai. Then tears clogged her throat and erased her smile. Too bad she would likely never see his land again.

  The car drew to a halt, and Cora peered inside. Maddy’s worried gaze met hers, making Cora wince. She had to look terrible, and not just because of her mud-and-blood-stained clothes. She shoved a tangled hair off of her face. Would her friend notice the pain simmering under Cora’s skin, waiting to erupt? She stiffened her spine and tried to blink back the tears threatening to break free.

  As soon as she heard the click of the locks releasing, Cora jerked the passenger door open. Then she paused, her hand clenching the top of the door, and glanced back at Kai. “Thanks.”

  He g
ave a short nod and lifted a hand. “Anytime.”

  Cora didn’t wait to see how long he lingered. Instead, she dropped into the seat and slammed the door. She pinched her eyes closed as Maddy turned the car around and started down the driveway. Her fingers curled into the coin holder on the door. She wanted to leap right back out of the car and chase after Kai.

  No, she wanted to chase after Ralan.

  Her bonded.

  What had she done?

  “Are you okay?” Maddy asked, her quiet voice full of concern. “Who was that?”

  “One of Ralan’s people,” Cora whispered.

  She’d stifled the ache all the way through the forest and during the Veil crossing. She’d shoved it beneath her aggravation at Kai’s endless chatter. But in the presence of her friend’s worry, the pain tipped free of its container, pouring through her blood until it burned.

  Cora reinforced the wall she’d built between her mind and Ralan’s before her distress leaked along their bond. But she still felt the touch of his spirit where it linked with hers. She shoved her fist against her mouth and forced back a sob. Why had she let her anger take control of her heart?

  Why hadn’t he fought for her?

  Maddy’s hand touched her shoulder. “You’re worrying me.”

  Cora forced her eyes open. Maddy had stopped at the end of the driveway, and her stern expression said she wasn’t driving until Cora started talking. “I left Ralan. While you take me home, I’ll tell you about it.”

  “Okay.” Maddy returned her hand to the steering wheel even as she gave Cora a warning scowl. “But if you stop, I will, too.”

  Cora’s tugged her aching fingers away from their grip on the door, only to tangle her hands together in her lap. “In the cavern, I found out who he was. Is. The prince of Moranaia.”

  “Is that a problem?”

  In all of her years on Earth, Cora had never shared her history with another person, human or fae, except for Ralan. But she found the whole story spilling out. With each word, the burden grew lighter. Not the pain of loss but the remnants of the past.