For a heartbeat, I couldn't breathe. This wasn't my wife standing beside me. This was a stranger who could walk away, disappear into courts and politics, and I'd never find her again. The curse had already stolen so much time from us. Now it had even taken her face.
Yet I knew this was my wildfire. Iknew. But something about seeing her like this, untouchable, regal, and with no hint of the warmth I’d held hours ago, tore through me. It hit me then how easily the world could lose her, how easily she could disappear into another role, another life.
I turned to face her, relieved to see my wife again. At least to me, she was stillher. A thrill ran through me, though. If my court could see us now, they would bow or bare their teeth, but they would not see the King and Queen of Evergorne.
Perhapsthiswould keep her safe. It eased my tension a fraction.
She turned back to the mirror. “Lord Rutherford, I presume,” she said in a snooty voice.
I took her hand and kissed the back, watching her in the mirror. “Lady Bliss, it’s a delight to make your acquaintance.”
Dorion walked over to stand behind us, his hands on our shoulders, grinning wide. “This will work very well. If I didn’t know about the rings, I’d be calling for the guards to arrest two intruders.”
“This is amazing,” Reyla said. “Could we get two more for my ladies? I don’t feel I need to take staff with me, but I suspect it will look suspicious if I don’t.”
“I agree,” Dorion said. “And yes. Let’s meet up before you reach Irridain and travel the rest of the way together. I’ll have the rings with me then.”
“Thank you,” Reyla said.
“One last thing.” A snap of his fingers and my twin daggers appeared in his hand. As Reyla turned he held them out to her. “I believe these belong to you.”
“My babies.” She snatched them from his grip and hugged them to her chest. “You don’t know how much this means to me.”
Dorion grunted. “My father doesn’t need them, and they weren’t his to begin with.”
“I appreciate you bringing them.”
“Think nothing of it,” he said.
“Alright, then.” I peered into the mirror.
If this didn't work, we wouldn't get another chance.
Five days. The number echoed in my skull.
But Reyla stood beside me, blades in her hands and that familiar fire burning in her eyes. Even behind a magical disguise, she was still my wildfire. This woman would lay waste to Irridain Court if it would save me.
I reached for her hand, squeezing tight. “We'll leave for Irridain first thing tomorrow. It's time to claim that third talisman.”
Or die trying.
Chapter 12
Reyla
“You're leaving so soon?” Lord Briscalar's voice caught, and he stiffened immediately, his face smoothing. “Forgive me. Of course you may depart whenever you choose. But you just returned.”
I sat on the sofa with Farris snoring beside me while Lore stood at the window, watching rain drench the castle and distant mountains.
“We won't be gone long.” I kept my voice light. “We'll be back before you know it.”
After making the final plans, Dorion had left, stating he’d meet us partway to Irridain. Lore and I had removed our rings and placed them inside the boxes. We'd returned to our suite and called for the lord to attend us.
“At least this time, you’re taking staff,” he said with an upward tilt of his mouth, glancing toward the bedroom where Moira and Calista were packing our trunks. “But are you sure your guard can’t remain with you throughout your journey?”
It wouldn’t be safe for them. As it was, it was risky just havingthem escort us to our meeting spot with Dorion, then return here without us while we continued alone.
“We’ll be fine. I promise.” The last was a stretch. I’d love to bring a full contingent with us, but what if someone recognized Talvon, Surren, or any of our guard? The fewer people with us, the safer this plan would be. Our guard had traveled to various areas to provide support to our people and had even ventured into other courts’ territories on one mission or another for Lore.
