Avery continued rubbing her back as she whispered in English, “It’s okay now, Morgan. You’re safe. We’ll help you keep Nephel safe too.”
Savine’s fingers pinched the bridge of his nose, head held low. “The trees can never report to me about the true whisperings in Onyx Cavern and their network of other caves. I had no idea what they held. I don’t believe anyone outside Goldoth does.”
Raikin’s eyes narrowed. “Do we trust the word of a human, particularly one loyal to Nephel?”
“Don’t do this,” Avery said, her voice cutting with frustration. “Don’t accuse my sister of lying because she’s a human.”
“It is a reasonable question, and convenient that Rylo sent humans to share his request.”
Morgan shook her head. “Who else could he send? I was the only one who survived the mine! Rylo was alone when he saw the two witches' power, and as far as I know, he only told me what he witnessed. How could anyone else tell this story?”
“Perhaps we could test the validity of her story?” Garnel suggested. Morgan watched as Kyla gave his arm a squeeze, digging her nails into his bare skin.
Savine shook his head. “There is no need. Morgan, you have provided enough information. Thank you for sharing your story. I know that couldn’t be easy for you to do. But, I need time to make a decision. There are many factors to consider before I commit to bringing my folk into another war.”
Savine’s answer was not surprising, but Morgan couldn’t stay here waiting for him to make up his mind. Rylo could already be in danger, and she needed to be by his side. He came closer to her as she stood on wobbling legs. God, she was exhausted.
“Of course. Excuse me. I need to rest. Susan and I should head back to Nephel tomorrow morning while you deliberate. Will you have a way to share your decision with us?”
Savine’s brows furrowed and he glanced over to Rue. His voice dropped low as he leaned in close to her. “Selene will deliver the message. Look for her in one week.”
Kyla walked to Morgan’s other side. “Let me help you to our guest room,” Kyla offered as she stood and helped steady Morgan, guiding her down a hallway to a bedroom.
The fae lights illuminated a room with white washed walls and a wooden beam ceiling. The bed had large furs spread over a blanket and a mirror was on the opposite wall. Morgan looked at her reflection. The deep blue circles lining her puffy eyes. Her tangled black hair. She looked completely exhausted.
“I can help you sleep if you need some assistance,” Kyla suggested.
Morgan was so bone tired she didn’t think she’d need any help falling asleep, and shook her head. “I’m so tired, I should be fine. Thank you for the room though.”
“If it means anything, my brother believes you. Even though he hates Rylo, he won’t leave our borders threatened. It’s not in him to abandon the helpless, and we all know Nephel’s warriors won’t win against the full force of Goldoth.
It’s what Morgan hoped. She needed to return to Rylo with news that hope was on its way. If not, she’d be leaving all his folk vulnerable to an attack that she caused when she agreed to steal the relic.
Chapter 46
Kyla
Long after the men had gone to sleep, Kyla and the other women sat together in the darkness of night. Morgan and Susan had slept for a few hours before waking and joining the others in her sitting area. Kyla felt a sense of kinship with these three witches and Rue that she’d never felt with other women, their combined destinies so entangled it was difficult to not feel close to them.
She’d shared the news of her pregnancy with Morgan and Susan, and they’d celebrated her good news. Yet, the somber knowledge of the war loomed over their conversation. Theyneeded to make the most of their time together before Morgan and Susan left for Nephel at first light.
Avery and Morgan sat side by side, arms touching as they whispered something in their home language. From what Kyla could sense, Avery didn’t fight Morgan on her decision to leave Latiah. She looked sad, but resigned to let her sister return to the Towers.
Susan and Rue talked quietly, no doubt catching up about what had happened between them over the course of several weeks.
Finally, Rue said loud enough for all to hear, “I need all of your help. I need to get Selene out of here.” The heaviness in her tone didn’t surprise Kyla.
Kyla tried to give her a reassuring smile, but it fell flat. Rue must be sick with worry about Selene. “I saw to her care myself. She’s being housed near Hyacinth now. I know the men aren’t releasing her, but look at it from Savine’s perspective. Selene is the person who caused him more pain than anyone else in this world—including Jasper. The bond will be respected, but he needs time to think.”
“I promise Selene won’t be hurt,” Avery reassured her.
Rue shook her head. “I know you all may have different opinions on Selene, but she is my soulmate. I knew too. I didn’t admit it to anyone because I was a bit ashamed, and now I feel like I have squandered my time with her.”
Susan raised her hand up to get everyone’s attention. She was much more soft-spoken, and Kyla wasn’t surprised by this gesture. “I’ve never said I don’t like Selene. She is fiercely loyal. Won’t she join us to Nephel? Rylo depends on her, especially now that Elio—” Susan’s voice cracked. Kyla could feel the emotional pain she carried like a fog creep through the room. Meanwhile, Morgan’s shadows slowly slid around her, cocooning her legs.
“If Latiah allies with Nephel, Savine will release her. He has no choice since she’s the only one Rylo trusts,” Morgan said, leaning back in her seat and propping her feet up on the small table in the middle of the room. The shadows skittered back into her. Such strange behavior these American women did from time to time, it often caught Kyla off guard.
Susan snorted, hurt in her eyes. “That isn’t true. He trustsyou, Morgan.”
