He wasn’t even sure why he’d done what she’d told him to. He could have waited until the perfect moment and shoved her before the hunters—if that was even who those men had been. He’d been too focused on Cora when the figures had walked by, but when he’d first heard the hunting horns, he’d known his plan had worked. His father had sent word to King Dimetreus. The king knew they were heading to this camp next, knew Cora would try to rescue the unicorns. Because that was what Teryn’s letter to his father had said.
I’ll bring her to the Cambron Pass camp in exchange for her bounty.
He’d suspected his plan had worked as soon as he and Cora had stalked the camp and found only a young boy guarding it. Terror had surged through him then, even though he should have been pleased. He should have wanted his plan to come to fruition, right?
After that, he’d expected an ambush at any moment. It hadn’t come. Part of him had hoped—as nonsensical as the hope was—that maybe his letter hadn’t reached the king. Or perhaps it hadn’t been taken seriously, or the king hadn’t been prepared to react on such short notice. Relief had washed over him as they’d freed the unicorns, but it all fled the moment he’d heard the horns.
And now…
Now he didn’t know what to think. He’d allowed Cora to hide them. Hadwantedher to hide them. Even with his mind growing sharper, clearer, he had no desire to shout, to call back the hunters, to turn her in.
“We must go,” Cora said and started off with caution.
If he took one step away from the camp, he knew what he was leaving behind.
500,000sovas. Enough to save his kingdom.
All he had to do was turn in a wanted murderer.
Cora glanced over her shoulder, brow furrowed as she noticed his hesitation. She held out her hand, her tattooed palm extended his way. “Come on,” she whispered. Her eyes were bright, her lips curled into a soft smile. She’d changed after what had happened at the tree. Whatever magic she’d used, she glowed with it now, radiated with it in unseen ways.
Teryn took a deep breath, knowing he was about to seal his fate. Hefting the unicorn in both arms, he returned her grin and followed after her.
Cora feltalive in a way she’d never been before. Her use of magic had defied reason, obliterated coincidence, and negated any chance that she, Teryn, and the baby unicorn had evaded notice by happenstance alone. She’d made theminvisible. Just like witch lore claimed was possible.
She understood now why it was referred to as quiet magic. Sure, her feat of invisibility was incredible to her, but to the hunters or anyone else that could have walked by that tree…to them it was like it never happened.
The aftereffects surged through her veins, pulsed in every line of ink on her skin. Resisting her instincts to run had been hard. Choosing magic over her bow had been harder. In overcoming her personal challenge, her magic had grown stronger. It still felt quiet and there was much more for her to learn, but now she believed the possibilities she’d once turned her nose up at.
Teryn too seemed changed. She’d sensed a shift in his emotions, from something dark and heavy to a lightness akin to relief. He still clung to a hint of the sorrow she’d glimpsed right after they’d rescued the unicorn, but his steps were lighter now, his smile freer. Perhaps it was just the comfort that came with knowing they’d escaped the hunters.
Valorre found them not long after. He was frantic with worry over not having warned them about the approaching hunters. Just as Cora had thought, he’d been out of range while he’d tried to direct his freed brethren to safer grounds. Thankfully, Berol had been there, even though her warning hadn’t given them much of an advantage. She flew overhead now, keeping her distance from Teryn while he carried the unicorn.
What should we do with the baby?Cora asked Valorre.
The unicorn went still, ears twitching. Finally, he said,I think her mother is near. Or…near enough. I can feel one of my kind lingering somewhere in the pass. She knows it isn’t safe but she’s…seeking something.
Can you take us to her?
Valorre considered that.No, the mother will fear you. I will take her myself.
Cora was worried the baby unicorn might still be too shaken to walk. She turned to Teryn. “You can try putting her down.”
He did as told, gently setting the unicorn on her hooves. She stumbled a little, legs splayed, but managed to keep her balance. She was no longer trembling like she’d been outside the camp.
Valorre took a few steps closer.
The baby lowered her head, posture startled. After a few moments of warily examining the much larger unicorn, she took a step toward him. Then another. Her gait was steady as she closed the remaining distance. Valorre gave her an affectionate nuzzle, then lifted his head toward Cora.She will be fine. I will take her now.
Cora’s heart clenched as she watched Valorre guide the tiny creature away.
Teryn came up beside her. Berol was settled on his shoulder, preening. “We really did it,” he said. “We actually freed four unicorns.”
She turned to face him. “Thank you for helping me,” she said, finding the words easier to say than she expected. She didn’t want to admit that she’d been wrong in her hesitation to let him accompany her, but…perhaps she had been.
“You’re welcome,” he said, and again a hint of sorrow crept into the edges of her awareness. She strengthened her shields, blocking it completely. After what she’d accomplished at the tree, she needed a reprieve.
They made their way back toward camp, the sun barely a hint of light on the horizon. A comfortable silence fell between them, which was such a stark contrast to the tense quiet they’d kept earlier that day. They were nearing camp when Teryn whirled to face her.
