She opened her consciousness, allowing her mental wards to come down as she took in the emotions of her two companions. She sensed them, felt a flicker of Teryn’s nervousness and Berol’s far more neutral curiosity. She sank into those feelings for several breaths until the connection felt effortless. After that, she filled her mind’s eye with a vision of a particular place in the woods, not too far from the castle’s outer walls. It was where she often met with Valorre for one of their carefree rides whenever she could steal away from her queenly duties, and she’d grown accustomed to worldwalking there.
She envisioned the space, a small clearing with a wide oak tree. Behind it was a large shrub, and Cora knew her bow and quiver of arrows were stashed there. Practicing archery had become another component of her secret rides with Valorre. She could practice in the armory whenever she wanted, but doing so outdoors was more satisfying than shooting in the training room, watched by guards and attendants. Practicing in the forest made her feel so much like her old self—or more like her two selves combined. The witch and the queen. Daughter of the Forest People. Daughter of the crown.
The thought curled the corners of her lips, and her connection to the space strengthened. In turn, her vision of the clearing sharpened. She imagined the scent of earth and frost, pictured the rising sun slowly illuminating the space more and more. Shifting her feet again, she imagined how the earth would feel, hard after a chilly night but just beginning to give way beneath the morning thaw.
She focused on Teryn’s hand again and found her connection to him had remained intact. All that was left was to take a step.
With one more deep breath…
She honed her focus on that clearing…
Lifted her foot…
And settled it onto firm soil.
She opened her eyes with a gasp as the chilly morning air brushed her cheeks, her hands. Her gasp was echoed by Teryn, whose eyelids had flown open as well. And there, upon his shoulder, perched Berol. With her hand still clasped around Teryn’s, Cora whirled toward him with a wide smile.
“You did it.” He shook his head as if he could hardly believe what he was seeing. Berol flapped her wings and launched off his shoulder to one of the oak’s lower boughs. Teryn faced Cora and softly laid his free hand on her cheek. “You’re godsdamned incredible.”
His praise flooded her chest. She had to admit she was impressed with herself too. She’d been fairly confident she could accomplish the feat of traveling with others, but thinking it and doing it were two different things. Now that she’d proven it was possible, her pride swelled. It was enough to help her forget the darkest aspects of their situation, if only for a moment.
She lifted her chin and Teryn met her halfway in a tender kiss. His lips were warm, a welcome thing in their frigid environment, and as he pulled her ever closer, a spark of passion ignited. She angled her head, parting her lips for the sweep of his tongue. Perhaps she was merely riding the high of her accomplishment, but she suddenly wished she’d tried a little harder to enjoy her wedding night. Perhaps it wasn’t too late?—
I’m here, I’m here!
She froze at Valorre’s words. His presence filled her awareness, and she could sense him trotting toward them from not too far away. With a sigh, she reluctantly broke their kiss and gave Teryn an apologetic smile.
His lips curved in a lopsided grin that had her stomach tightening. “Let me guess. Valorre’s here?”
“He is. I told him to meet us if he felt my presence enter the woods.”
“What stellar timing that unicorn has.” He gave her one more kiss, on the cheek this time.
Cora sensed Valorre’s excitement growing with every step he drew nearer. He must be excited to see Teryn, for it was a greater level of anticipation than he usually reserved for her. It made sense considering the unicorn hadn’t seen Teryn since the battle at Centerpointe Rock. Unless she counted when Valorre had supposedly glimpsed him riding toward Ridine from afar. But he’d smelled him more than seen him, if his talk about the scent of strength and moonbeams was true. Even before that, when Teryn had come to Ridine last summer, the two hadn’t met face to face. By the time Valorre had reunited with Cora after they were separated in El’Ara, Teryn had been unconscious and recovering from his wounds.
Finally, Valorre trotted into the clearing, pulling up short as he saw them. His body stilled, head straightening, ears perking up. His emotions flared inside Cora, and what she first took as joyful surprise shifted into something she didn’t fully understand.
“Hi, old pal,” Teryn said, offering a wave.
Valorre gave a snort, then skipped back a step. His nostrils flared, his posture stiffening.
Cora frowned. “What’s wrong, Valorre?”
He stomped a hoof, snorting again. His emotions flared once more, and this time Cora could make out a distinct thread of indignation.How…how dare he get more handsome!
She leveled a glare at him. “That’s what you’re upset about?”
Teryn glanced between Cora and Valorre, only able to hear one side of the conversation.
That’smylook!Valorre said, scraping the earth with his front hoof.I’m the one with a mane like moonlight. Why doeshehave one now? And why does it make his eyes glitter like emeralds? Fornication, I’m so embarrassed. Why didn’t you warn me?
Cora pursed her lips to keep from laughing. This was a serious matter for Valorre.
It’s insulting that he must try to look more beautiful than me. I am not pleased. Not pleased at all. With that, Valorre trotted back in the direction he’d come.
Teryn turned to Cora with an arched brow. “What just happened?”
She stepped close to him and reached for one of his silver-white strands. “He likes your hair.”
