I made a slicing gesture across my throat.
“Yes, it does have a deadly sharp edge. No worries about it dulling with use, either. Just with it shattering.” He mused, staring off into the distance.
I nudged him.
“Oh yes. And the moral to this story is Devlen is good people. I’m always leery around the so-called reformed, but I trusted Devlen with my life and my team’s lives and he came through.”
But not without paying a price. How high? Too high in my mind if he died, but I was sure Valek would see it as one life given in exchange for seven—or rather an entire clan’s lives—a bargain.
Devlen struggled to breathe. I hovered over him, not knowing what to do. Should I ask Kade and Heli? A shout cut through my panic. My name. I glanced up in time to see Janco running full out.
He skidded to a stop. “Is this what you’re looking for?” Opening his hand, he revealed a bottle of ink.
I punched him in the leg.
“Ow! That’s payback for letting us all believe you were dead.” He dropped a super messenger into my lap.
Magic flowed through me, energizing me.
Valek grabbed the sword’s hilt. “Ready?”
I nodded and he yanked. The injury was extensive, but I ignored the jagged flesh and broken bones. Concentrating on repairing the damage, I gathered magic and pretended I fixed a glass statue. I drained the messenger dry, healing him until nothing was left but a nasty purple scar along his torso.
Too tired to stand, I snuggled next to Devlen in the warm sand, letting the day’s heat soak into my bones. Truly happy for the first time in seasons.
The next few days ran together. We were moved to one of the cottages to recuperate. Valek poured endless amounts of Leif’s teas down our throats. Devlen had lost a lot of blood and needed to drink the one that tasted like dirty wash water.
“You can laugh. You don’t have to drink this stuff,” Devlen complained.
I grunted and pointed to my cup. My tea smelled like moldy mushrooms. I sipped. Compared to the slimy seaweed Mother forced on me, it was actually quite good. I glanced at my nightstand. Mother had visited, bringing me a single purple flower in a white vase and a dose of moon potion in a sealed vial. I had set both aside for now.
“Where did Valek get all these potions?” Devlen asked.
“From Leif,” Valek said from the doorway. “Are you feeling well enough to discuss what must be done with Galen?”
I picked up a tablet and wrote: No need to discuss. We drain him dry and kill him.
“I thought you couldn’t siphon his magic,” Devlen said.
I slid from the bed and reached under it. Pulling the orb and the two syringes out, I showed them to Devlen.
He understood. “Are they filled with your blood?” he asked.
I nodded.
“Are you sure?”
I tapped on the tablet, circling drain him dry and kill him.
“What’s going on?” Valek asked. Devlen explained.
Valek met my gaze. “Is this what you want?”
I wrote yes on the paper in big capital letters.
“Sounds like a plan,” Valek said.
Claiming prior experience, Devlen offered to inject my blood into Galen. He wobbled a bit when he stood, but he shooed away my efforts to help him change clothes. I handed him the syringes.
“Are you sure?” he asked for the tenth time.
I pushed him toward the door.
“Okay. I believe you.” He kissed me and followed Valek.
I changed, as well, and visited the small stable. Quartz’s happiness at seeing me almost knocked me over. I had been avoiding her since I was bound to Galen, trying to hide my shame and the taint of him.
Feeding her a handful of peppermints, I scratched behind her ears.
Fire Lady smell good.
Really?
Smell Changed Man.
Devlen’s image filled her mind.
Do you like him? I asked.
A series of her favorite things flashed, including Devlen.
Even before? When he was mean?
He needed herd. Our herd. Changed Man.
Interesting. I found a currycomb and groomed her. Just being with her helped me deal with those last days as Galen’s slave. I mulled over Quartz’s comments.
Who is in our herd? I asked.
Loving images floated one after another. Me, Devlen, Kade, Valek, Yelena, Irys, Ari, Janco, Nic, Eve, Leif, Mara, my parents, my brother, Heli, Ulrick, Fisk, Pazia, Quinn, Reema, Teegan and all the Sandseed horses.
Big herd, I said.
Good. She nudged my stomach with her nose. Make bigger. Plenty of room.
I laughed.
“I haven’t heard that sound in a long time,” Kade said from behind me.
Stormy Sea Man. Quartz turned to nuzzle his ear.
Stormy Sea? Who came up with that one?
Smell like rough sea. Offended, she flicked me with her tail.
Certain I would see anger and betrayal and pain all caused by me, I met Kade’s gaze with reluctance. His sad acceptance shot right to my heart and I bawled. Big racking sobs shook my entire body. A distant corner of my mind wondered, why now? I had stayed dry-eyed and stoic through the horrors of Galen, yet Kade’s understanding unhinged me.
He held me while I soaked his tunic. Eventually the sobs dwindled and the rock in my throat dissolved.
“I know I’m being unfair by coming here when you can’t talk,” Kade said.
I shook my head no. Pointing to my chest, I tried to tell him if anyone had been unfair it was me.
He held my hands so I couldn’t gesture. “Listen. Even before I found out about you and Devlen, I realized we couldn’t be together. Now brace yourself, I’m going to use a weather analogy.”
I groaned.
He quirked a smile. “You’re all energy and excitement and then you blow away. Being with you is like being on the coast, dancing in the storms. Breathless activity, followed by calm. I have that with my job.” He brushed my hair from my eyes. “After you sacrificed your magic I thought you would be content to stay uninvolved in Sitian affairs and be with me. But you rushed off, jumping right back into the maelstrom. I don’t have the energy to deal with storms on both fronts—pun intended. I need someone steadier.”
Tears ran down my face.
He hugged me. “And I’ll offer to render aid whenever needed because I know you wouldn’t ask. After all, I don’t want to miss out on all the fun.” He kissed my forehead and walked away.
Devlen hovered near the stable’s entrance and Kade paused next to him and said something. I held my breath, but Devlen nodded and Kade left.
When Devlen came closer, I raised my eyebrows, inviting him to explain. He peered at me in amazement. “I never dreamed you would forgive me. Would want to be with me.” He cupped my cheek, wiping away my tears with a thumb.
I covered his hand with mine, pressing it against my face.
“Kade asked me to be the voice of reason when you dash off into danger. Note he said when.”
Valek arrived to escort us to Galen. It had been a full day since Devlen injected my blood into him. They had chained him in one of the cottages. Quinn’s glass ball/null shield nearby. Valek had also gagged him so he couldn’t order me to free him.
A deep hatred consumed me when I saw him. I gripped the orb hard. Devlen stood behind me. He squeezed my shoulder in support. Quinn’s parents acted as witnesses. Since the revolt, Quinn’s father, Lane, had been unofficially voted as the new clan leader. According to Valek’s report, he planned for a more democratic society where everyone shared the work and the profits. Since Quinn was the only Bloodrose with magic, I had asked him to stay away from me just in case I accidentally grabbed his magic.
I started with Devlen, draining the blood magic from him. Then I nodded to Lane. He moved the null shield away from Galen. Without hesitation, I concentrated on the orb, siphoning our magic. Galen’s eyes widened in surprise
. The steady ring of diamonds filling the orb sounded. Between the two of us, our power was considerable.
Controlling the pull of magic, I drew it all. Galen bucked and screamed. But for me, the burning sensation of the magic leaving felt purifying, cleaning Galen from my body and soul. The pings of diamonds slowed and I closed my eyes, reaching for the last bit. A heavy fabric of magic settled on my shoulders and I instinctively pulled it as well.
When no power remained, I opened my eyes. The effort had sapped my energy, but I stayed on my feet.
Able to speak for the first time in days, I said to Galen, “A good friend told me that criminals get caught because of greed and stupidity. Loophole number two, Galen. You ordered me not to siphon your magic, but not our magic. And you underestimated Walsh, who took steps to protect his family before he died.”
I turned away. Valek had taken Devlen’s place behind me. He pulled the fabric from my shoulders and the significance of its presence finally sank in. It was a null shield jacket. I glared at Valek.
“I thought it was worth a try. Did it work?” He gestured for Lane to approach.
Lane held Quinn’s glass ball. The null shield’s magic pushed me back. It did work. My immunity had returned. Damn it! I sputtered. “You… How… I don’t want magic!”
“Being immune isn’t magical. There’s no magic involved,” Valek said in a flat voice.
“Save that speech for the Commander of Ixia. I know and you know and the horses know better.” And Reema and Teegan, but I wasn’t going to tell him. He’d try to recruit them to our team. And they were too young to decide if they should join or not.
“Before you start lecturing me, I have a present for you.” Valek handed me a spyglass.
“Is this—”
“No. Yours was crushed in the cave-in, but I thought you’d like a replacement.”
“Thanks.”
He waited.
I pulled the spyglass’s sections out and peered at Devlen through the barrel. “You’re right. I can see the future.”
“And?” Valek asked.
“And if you need our help for any future missions, just ask.”
“A package deal?”
“Yes,” Devlen answered.
“Good thing, I brought another.” With a dramatic flourish worthy of Janco, Valek presented a spyglass to Devlen. “Now you need to leave so I can finish our business with Galen.” Valek showed me one of the glass knives. “I thought it fitting.”
“It is.” I took the knife from Valek. “You once told me Galen was my problem and I should deal with him.”
“You’re not a killer, Opal,” he said.
Devlen agreed. “You’ll regret it.”
But they didn’t know what it felt like to be magically bound to another. To feel helpless. “This isn’t about murder. It’s about justice. We know the Sitian Council will discuss the situation until the subject is exhausted. Anything could happen during that time. They’re already backing away from charging Vasko.” He claimed Galen had engineered the blood magic test laboratory and he had no knowledge of it.
Fire flashed in Valek’s eyes. “Vasko’s due for a visit.”
“I’ll let you handle him, but Galen is mine.” I spun and sliced the sharp edge of the glass knife deep into Galen’s throat, drawing a line from ear to ear. Blood spurted. I watched until he died. No regret.
I paused on the doorstep. Was she still disappointed? Would she be upset over my delayed visit? Would she be able to accept all the changes in my life? So much had happened, she might be overwhelmed.
“Opal, the door is not going to open by itself. She’s your mother. How bad can it be?” Devlen asked.
Sweat dampened his tunic. The bright sun blazed. It was midafternoon in the middle of the hot season. The humid air felt hot enough to melt sand into glass. His skin had darkened as we traveled south, but our paler traveling companions hadn’t fared as well.
Grabbing Devlen’s hand for strength, I knocked and entered the kitchen, pulling him in with me. As expected, my mother prepared the evening meal for my father and brother. She gaped at me as if seeing a ghost. Considering that I hadn’t seen her since she learned I was alive, I shouldn’t be surprised.
I braced for recriminations or for her to ladle on the guilt for not rushing home as soon as possible. Instead, a smile lit her face and she ran to me.
“Opal!” She embraced me and held me like only a mother could.
All my worries dissipated, and any hard feelings between us had been forgiven and forgotten in an instant.
“Your letter asked us to wait. That you’d be visiting us at the start of the cooling season. Why didn’t you tell me you were coming sooner?” she asked. She finally noticed Devlen standing by my side. Stepping back, she clutched her hands to her chest. “And you brought a guest?”
“Yes. Mother, this is Devlen, my…” All moisture fled my mouth. My tongue refused to work.
“Her betrothed.” Devlen extended his hand.
Shocked, my mother stared at him for a moment. I fiddled with the ring on my finger, spinning it around and around.
And then my mother pulled it together and shook his hand. My emotions flipped from being terrified of her reaction to being impressed.
“Nice to meet you,” she said then addressed me. “Are you planning on staying with us for long?”
Time to drop my final surprise. “Yes. We hoped to visit for the rest of the season. All four of us. If that’s okay?”
My mother brightened. “Of course! You know me. I love a house full of friends and family.” She peered behind us. “For sand’s sake, Opal. Did you abandon them outside in the hot sun?” She tsked. “Where are your manners?”
“They’re giving the horses water,” I said.
Devlen offered to check on them.
When he left the kitchen, I said, “Before you fuss about not having enough to eat, I also brought plenty of food.”
“Thoughtful of you,” she said in a flat tone. “But you can’t bribe me. You will tell me everything, including what was so important at the Citadel that you had to go there first.”
I hung my head. “Yes, Mother.”
Devlen returned with Reema and Teegan in tow. The siblings hovered near the door, one shy and uncertain and the other getting a feel for the situation.
After a few seconds of silence, my mother grinned at the kids. “Come in, come in. Nothing to be afraid of in here. Unless you don’t like my cooking. Then you have to do the dishes!”
Teegan laughed. “I’ll never have to do the dishes.”
Reema stepped closer to her brother. She would be harder to win over. Spirals of blond curls hung down from a once-neat knot on top of her head. Being out in the sun had reddened her cheeks.
My mother put her hands on her hips. “You sound pretty confident, Mr….”
“Teegan,” he supplied.
“Mr. Teegan. What would you say if I served spider soup and dung beetle pie?”
He glanced at me before replying. “Opal’s been telling us how yummy your cooking is. So I would say, ‘give me extra helpings please.’”
Mother chuckled. “And what would your sister say?”
“Reema would tell me to eat it first. Then she’d wait to see if I got sick before trying it.”
My mother nodded in approval. “A smart girl and a brave young man. Your children are wonderful, Devlen.”
“They are,” he agreed.
I drew in a deep breath. “They’re not his or mine. Well, not yet. We’re still waiting on the official adoption papers.”
Again my mother showed impressive restraint over her emotions. Her voice only squeaked a little. “Adoption?”
Teegan answered in a rush. “Our mom died and we were on our own, which was okay. I mean, we were doing fine, but then I had trouble with magic and Opal saved us.”
“She did?” My mother wiped her clean hands on her apron over and over—a danger signal.
I jumped in before Te
egan could expound. “Actually, they saved me. And they’re the reason I went to the Citadel. I’ll tell you all about it during supper.”
The mention of a meal propelled her into host mode. “Where are my manners? You’re hot and thirsty from your trip. Go relax in the living room. It’s cooler in there and I’ll bring drinks and a snack.” Mother shooed us out of her kitchen.
The room was ten degrees cooler. I sprawled on the couch, propping my feet up on the ottoman. Reema and Teegan explored the space, found the bookshelf and happily sorted through the selection, making a pile to read. Devlen settled next to me and automatically tucked me under his arm.
“That went well,” he said.
“I’ll suffer for it later. Her interrogation techniques would crack a hardened criminal in seconds.”
“I think you’re exaggerating. She’s very sweet.”
“Uh-huh. Then why didn’t you tell her you’re my husband?”
He had the decency to look chagrined. “I didn’t want to overwhelm her. She just met me and the children. It’s a lot to absorb. We’ll explain it to her later.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Besides, I’m going to ask her to plan and organize a big beautiful wedding for you.”
“Interesting strategy. Bribe her first, then blindside her. Good luck with that.”
He laughed. “I’m sure she will be thrilled since she missed our tiny ceremony. And I want your family and friends to be able to share in our joy.”
I rested my head on his chest, remembering what had led to the simple service in the Keep’s formal garden with Reema and Teegan. Leif and Mara acted as our witnesses. In order for both of us to adopt the children legally we had to be married. I still marveled at Devlen’s instant acceptance of the siblings in our lives. He had meant what he said before. To be with me regardless. Although he wouldn’t let me procrastinate and delay this trip to introduce everyone to my parents and brother.
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