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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
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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, invit-
ing 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, siphon-
ing our magic. Galen’s eyes widened in surprise. The steady
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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 f lat 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.
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“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 f lour-
ish 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 f lashed 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
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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.
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 f led 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.
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My emotions f lipped 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 f lat 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 sib-
lings 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.
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“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 emo-
tions. 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 Teegan 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.
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“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.
Once Nic and Eve sorted out the paperwork and officially
released Devlen from Dawnwood, Devlen had asked me to
marry him.
My left hand rested on his lap. Smiling, I played with the
ring on my finger. The proposal hadn’t been a surprise, but his betrothal gift had brought tears to my eyes. Set in an elegant
gold band, the two-carat black stone glinted with f lecks of
red and orange. A fire opal.
We married in the early morning to avoid the heat. Master
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Irys Jewelrose officiated the ceremony near the Fire Memorial.
She wore her formal robes made with purple silk. I wore a
simple cream-colored gown. Devlen chose to don the Sand-
seed’s ceremonial attire—a long-sleeved black tunic with
animal shapes and geometrical symbols embroidered in silver
thread, a black leather belt, gray pants and black boots.
After we exchanged vows, I presented Devlen with my
wedding gift to him—a scimitar with a simple leather hilt
and Ixian battle symbols etched into the blade. The symbols
matched the vows we had just spoken aloud. I offer my heart, entrust my soul and give my life to you. And they matched the marks on my switchblade.
He beamed at me and presented his gift. A vial full of blood.
Magic clung to the glass, pre
serving the contents.
Shock ripped through me. “Whose?”
“Yours.” He curled my fingers around the barrel. “Blood
is very powerful, I only needed to use one of your syringes
on Galen. The other I saved for you.”
“But I don’t—”
“It’s yours. Use it, keep it or throw it out. It’s your
choice.”
After the ceremony, our little family celebrated by having a
picnic in the garden. We left soon after for my parents’ house
in Booruby.
Having no desire to reclaim my magic at this time, I placed
the vial in a box and secured it. Then I gave it to Irys, asking her to lock it in the Keep’s safe. I might need it someday.
But not today. Not as I sat next to Devlen with happiness
welling inside me. I pivoted and kissed him deeply. Reema
and Teegan made yuck noises. Devlen and I hadn’t had any
privacy during the trip to Booruby. I was about to suggest to
my husband a private tour of the guest room upstairs when my
father and brother burst into the living room. Loud and wel-
coming and full of questions, they embraced my new family
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without hesitation. My mother followed them, carrying a tray
overf lowing with enough food and drinks for twenty people.
She appeared to be recovered from the shock of our arrival
and beamed at Reema and Teegan. Probably realizing they
would soon be her grandchildren.
After the kids, Ahir and Devlen went to bed and after a
marathon conversation with my parents—yes, I loved Devlen
with all my heart; no, we weren’t going to settle in Booruby,
but live in my glass factory in Fulgor so I could make magic
detectors and he could use his Story Weaver skills to help
reform prisoners; yes, we would visit as often as possible; no, we didn’t plan to work for Sitia or Ixia, but to help Valek when he needed us; yes, they could watch the children when Devlen
and I were on assignment—I climbed the stairs exhausted.
I checked on my charges. Reema slept in my bed and Teegan
was next to her in Mara’s old bed. She wouldn’t let him stay in Ahir’s room as he had wished. The two “boys” had bonded
within minutes of being introduced. They had already gotten
into trouble twice for rude and obnoxious behavior during
supper.
Devlen slept in the guest room. He roused when I slid into
bed with him. He rolled over and molded his body to my
back, draping an arm around my waist.