“I’m so glad you have a plan.” Reyla rushed forward and wrapped her arms around me, hugging me like she’d done since we were little. “It’s going to be alright. We might not know exactly how we’re going to fix this, but we’ll stride down that path together.”
“Thank you.” Her support, even if it had wavered, meant the world to me.
Vexxion, please come back to me.
I could do this on my own. No, Iwoulddo it alone. But my heart needed him. Needed her. Needed Brodine. Fighting meant something when you did it for your family.
I drew power from my well and shot it at Vexxion and Brodine. I’d done this over and over as we traveled, only stopping when I couldn’t reach down far enough to gather more to send their way.
Nothing happened, butgiving up was not an option.
“Let’s go inside and get things settled,” I said. “Vexxion will stay in my room with me.”
“I’m not sleeping with Brodine.” Humor—amazing, welcome humor—shone in her voice and added a sparkle to her eyes. “But we can find a safe place for him.” She worried her lower lip with her teeth. “You’ll keep an eye on Vexxion, but what about Brodine? I can’t bear the thought of what might happen to him if he wanders outside.”
A shriek rang out in the woods, making us both jump.
Our training kicked in. Seamlessly, we pulled blades and leaped to guard Brodine and Vexxion.
Nothing rushed toward us from the woods, but there was no mistaking the meaning of that cry. Something big and deadly hunted, and it wasn’t far away.
“Will Airia be alright?” Reyla asked as we grabbed our bags off the ground.
“I’m sure she will. She’s savvy.”
“I could swear that knife hit her.”
“Me too.”
“But she’s alright, so . . .” Her concerned gaze sought mine.
“I assume the hilt hit her, not the blade. She bit her tongue, which is why we saw blood.”
“Must be.” But she still looked as confused about this as me.
I took Vexxion’s hand. Would he come with me willingly or would this be my next battle?
“Come on, Bro,” Reyla said. “Follow me. Stay close. Don’t wander.” She strode toward the front door with him placidly pacing beside her. Maybe that was all it would take.
Those drainedhadbeen magicked to follow directions.
“Come with me, Vexxion.” He’d gone from a strong-willed, vibrant man to someone who needed to be taken care of. I loved him no matter how he behaved. Everything that made up the man I adored must be somewhere inside him. I only needed to bring him to the surface.
He walked with me easily along the walkway leading to the big wooden front door, and when we were inside, we secured it behind us. I cast a quick spell that would unlock the door when Airia came near, only to lock it after she entered the foyer. The magic that had eluded me for too long appeared to come easy—simple magic, that is.
If I could do anything, I would’ve already freed Brodine and Vexxion.
After leaving them in a front parlor with a warning to remain seated, I showed Reyla around the first floor and took her upstairs where she selected a bedroom. We located clean bedding and quickly arranged rooms for each of us.
“I’ll find us something to eat,” she said when we’d finished and returned to the parlor where Vexxion and Brodine sat in chairs, staring at the floor. “Should we eat in the kitchen or storm the dining room?”
“The kitchen’s fine.” I was grateful she could find a hint of humor in the situation because my cheery mood was sorely lacking. I was determined not to let sadness engulf me, but damn, it was hard. Vexxion had only been gone for a short time, and I was already struggling not to mourn.
We took them into the kitchen with us while we prepared the meal.
Airia returned as we were putting plates on the counter.
“All set. The dregs didn’t cause any lasting damage.” Her gaze met mine. “The woods are scary around here.” A shiver tracked through her, but she held up the blade I’d sent her when the dregs and Kerune attacked. “Thankfully, I didn’t have to use this. Whatever was stalking me took off when I got close to the manor. As for the dragons, I removed the meshes leading to the valley and left the gates open. It was . . . something,” the word came out in a whoosh of breath, “to work with Madrood without worrying he was going to turn me into a pile of ashes.” She shook her head. “I’m still not sure why he didn’t.”
