At Kieren’s name, my mind-speak magic sparked. Having never happened before, it startled me, but I did my best to cover it up.
“It’s nice to meet y’all.”
“Do you mind if we steal Javier?” Aidas asked. “We wanted to show him a design we’ve been working on.”
“We could show it to you too,” Delaney offered, pushing her wavy black hair from her face. “It’s for the board the males have been working on.”
“Show me later,” Javier said. “And we can show Teddy if y’all want to try the new pizza place with us tonight, but right now, I’m going to take Teddy to the healer.”
This kid.This damn kid.
“Are you injured?” Aidas asked, his head tilting.
“I’m fine.” I laughed.
“I can bend space and take you to the healer,” Aidas offered.
“That’s kind of you, but I’m honestly okay.”
Aidas raised an eyebrow. “Javier’s a worrier, in case you haven’t noticed. Let me take you so he knows you made it.”
Amused, I shook my head. “Elias would like you, Aidas.”
He grinned. “Most people do. I’m charming.”
“You’re an idiot,” Delaney said, then clapped a hand over her mouth. “I didn’t mean—sorry, I shouldn’t have said that in front of you.”
I grinned. “I’ve called my friends and Elias much worse than that.”
Javier snorted. “She has.” His expression softened as he looked back at me. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yes,” I urged.
Aidas stepped forward and I gripped his arm. Within seconds, we were outside the castle walls.
“I can take you the rest of the way,” he said. “I didn’t want to pop up inside the castle without warning, though. The guards all carry swords, and I like my head where it is.”
I laughed. “This is perfect. Thank you.”
He bowed.
“Have a good day, Aidas. I hope y’all can make it to dinner with us.”
“I’ve never had pizza before,” he admitted. "I think I’d like to try something from your realm.”
After he disappeared, I didn’t bother hiding my limp as I made my way to the castle’s large entrance. Two of the guards spotted me with one of them racing down the large concrete steps that made up the castle’s initial grounds.
“My lady.” He bowed, eyes assessing me. I recognized him as our head guard Elias also often used as a messenger since he could bend space. “You’re injured. How can I help you?”
“I was hoping to see Leah,” I told Pietro.
He nodded. “If you’ll allow me to touch your hand, I can take you directly to her.”
I held my hand out. “I appreciate it.”
With that, he took my hand. A strange expression I didn’t have time to identify crossed his features before he bent space so we walked right into the healer’s clinic.
“Leah,” Pietro called out.
