Luccan’s face had gone paler than usual.
“What makes you say that, Livia?” Neve asked, clearly trying to play this off.
The vampire laughed. “I can smell magic. Gatemaker magic is rare, but I’ve been sent to kill one before, and I recall the smell. Even if he’s bound by silks, I can tell that he’s one. A powerful one.”
“You had this magic before your turning?” Luccan asked.
“I did. It intensified after I became a vampire.”
I supposed Luccan, as a super smeller himself, would find that interesting. I, however, was dying to know if the other sisters retained magic.
Thyra held up a hand. “Could you make gateways from here into Avaldenn and Bitra? That would save us fromhaving to go by armies and through city gates. Save rebel lives.”
“Yes,” Luccan admitted, making my stomach harden.
Perhaps I shouldn’t have brought my brother. In doing so, I’d placed a large target on his back.
“That settles it then,” Thyra said. “If we can use your gateways, the vampires can join.”
“You already agreed they could join us!” Neve said.
“I didn’t have all the information. I suspect I still don’t have it all, but I possess what I need.”
“No you don’t,” Luccan said, to which Thyra’s lips flattened.
“What else is there?”
“I already have gateways set up from Vitvik into both cities. I don’t recommend having me make new ones, since that will take weeks, but you can use those. As long as someone with Riis blood passes through them, others can too.” He paused. “I’ll give you access, as long as you swear that everyone under your command keeps my secret. I’m not safe if the king learns of it.”
“You’re not safe now, Luccan,” Neve whispered. “You’ve allied with me.”
“Still,” Luccan said. “I require secrecy.”
“Then you have my word,” Thyra stated stoutly. In that moment, she reminded me very much of Neve, for she looked like she cared about honoring her word.
“No one will know of your magic, save for those here today and those chosen to go on the mission with us. We will go from Vitvik in two days’ time.” Thyra twisted to the vampires. “I wish to see what you can do before then.”
“You’ll be pleased,” Astril said, her tone held unbridled confidence.
Thyra hummed and switched to Neve. “I’m impressed. This was an insane plan. One that I might have killed you for, but it turned out to be something that will be of great use to us.”
“That’s right,” Neve said, her chin lifted.
Thyra assessed her baldly for a long moment.
“Very well. Let’s make our oaths, here and now.” She held out her arm. “We can’t use the Drassil of Valrun to perform our eiðra’s. That’s too risky.”
“And unnecessary,” I said. “An oath made between fae is quite strong enough.”
Thyra snorted. “So you say. I, however, require extra assurance.” She jerked her chin to the male at her side. “Third party binds are stronger than those done by oneself, so Bac, you will be the binder in my oath. Prince Vale, you will do Neve’s.”
I bristled at being commanded, but when Neve sent me a pleading look, I remained silent. My mate had finagled what she wanted from her prickly sister.
The price on our end was Luccan’s secret.
Interlude
PRINCESS SAGA AABERG, ROYAL HOUSE OF THE WHITE BEAR
