“The heart took some of my magic,” I admitted.
“How could you let it diminish you more, little goddess?” Adhara cried.
“I didn'tlet itdo anything,” I grumbled. “I slipped past the shield by accident and it sucked my asha away before I could stop it.”
“This is not good.” She cocked her head and looked me over. “You are losing your Danutian magic. You must get it back soon. We need you to be whole.”
“I know. We're going to head down to the stronghold now and check on the mages. The Heart of Air is secure for the moment.”
“Good. I can fly you home.”
“I think Everan would prefer to twist.” I smirked at Everan's grimace.
“Ah. Yes, I understand. Fire Kings aren't meant to fly.”
“He doesn't like planes much either,” I whispered dramatically.
“Please, stop smacking talk of me to the Goddess of Air,” Everan grumbled.
“It's called smack talk or talking smack, darling,” I corrected him. “And I'm not doing either.”
“It sure sounded like a smack to me,” he muttered and made an annoyed face.
“It was lovely to see you again, Adhara,” I said politely.
Adhara chirped in a way that sounded similar to laughter. “It was lovely to see you as well, small goddess. Good luck with your grumpy king.”
“Okay, darling, let's go home,” I said to Everan.
He grinned and twisted away.
Iattemptedto twist.
Adhara spread her wings and prepared to leap.
“Wait!” I called to her.
“What is it?” Adhara lowered her wings and looked over at me.
“I don't think I can twist,” I said in horror.
“Try again.”
I tried. Nothing happened.
“How much magic did you lose, little goddess?” Adhara asked in concern.
“Evidently, more than I thought,” I whispered. “Sweet cinnabar, I'm stuck in Danu.”
“You're not stuck here,” she reassured me. “Your husband twisted away just fine. He can—”
Everan reappeared.
“Ah, here he is now.”
“Shalani, I was getting worried,” Everan chided. “If you wanted to speak privately with Adhara, you should have warned me.”
“No, that's not it. I... I can't twist, Ever.”
