Shame at being unworthy. I want to drag them into their uprising. I don’t want to see the Forest bowing to me justbecause they comply with the Forest Witch’s influence. I shouldn’t be their only option.
Make them rise,says Aidon, nudging me in the ribs.
“Rise!” I order, waving my gloved hand.
The crowd obeys. The air shifts, heavy with murmurs and suppressed movement.
The Forest Witch holds my gaze with ease.You will meet me in my hut later.She doesn’t even open her mouth - her words linger in my head anyway.
Fuck, another mental intruder.
???
“It went surprisingly well,” Aidon says after folks scatter their own way and we’re relatively alone.
“It could be worse,” Jestin agrees. It’s supposed to be funny, but his voice is washed of emotion. I ache to hug him, but there’s something I need to handle first.
Riven.
I go straight to him and stand face to face. His powerful frame threatens to bully me into backing down, but I stay firm.
“Care to tell me about the spirits?” I ask, watching how he recoils.
Jestin grips my hand, and when I turn to him, his expression makes my stomach tighten. He looks... sorry.
“What are you not telling me?” I demand, a nervous tremor rising inside me — nervous that the fragile bubble I’ve been living in will finally pop.
“Not now,” Aidon says, and then adds in my head,The forest is listening.
Gods.
I need to know. I need to hear it now. I close my eyes, clenching my fists, focusing on the storm, riding my powerwith a fierce grip of need. I need a safe space to have this conversation. My magic thrums, eager to obey my bidding. I keep hold of it, muscles locking from the effort of control.
From the ground rises an oval-shaped wooden teepee, big enough to accommodate all of us but without damaging the forest floor. It blends into the environment, an organic creation that belongs here.
“That’s impressive,” Jestin whispers, pride oozing from his words.
I seal it with the intention of keeping sound from escaping, and feel the added shell wrap around the walls. My power hums through me, satisfied to be used.
When I turn, I find their faces full of pride and it half shatters my resolve to extract the truth.
“Please tell me,” I whisper when we step inside, guilt twisting in me for making this moment about myself instead of grieving Nulok.
“The Lady asked you a question,” Aidon says, stepping in with his chin high, addressing the General directly.
My jaw drops. A few more moves like that and I’m certain it’ll dislocate.
Aidon offers me his smile.We are a team.
Jestin and Riven exchange glances, and my stomach twists.
“Answer me!” I snap.
Both males wince.
“As you wish, my Lady.” Riven sinks to the ground, and Aidon and Jestin follow. The latter pulls me into his lap.
I level him a glare.
