I blinked, feeling a wave of relief sweep my entire body the next second. It was freaking magic, literally leaving me feeling renewed and refreshed, like I’d just woken from the best damn nap of my entire life. I bounced to my feet, full of energy and vigor.
“Wow…”
“I know.” Evie chuckled.
“Thanks so much, Willow.” I walked up to her, leaning in to kiss her cheek, but she recoiled before I could.
“Brush your teeth first!” Willow scolded.
My gaze fell to Evie, who covered her mouth just in case I got any crazy ideas.
Smirking, I did as instructed, then returned with a vengeance. Willow squealed when I pulled her off the floor, kissing the hell out of her cheek in what Little Suzie used to call asmooching attack. Damn, how I missed the little princess.
Evie’s laughter rang around us while Willow tried to push me off her, halfheartedly. Placing her down again, I chuckled, enjoying the flush that adorned her cheeks and the sparkle of mirth and love in her eyes.
“If you ever do that again, I’ll turn you into the contents of that juice.” Her eyes narrowed with the threat, but the smile fighting to capture her lips said otherwise.
“Understood, Sis,” I offered, leaning down to kiss her cheek again. She tilted it with a huff, meeting me halfway. Willow totally loved me.
“Is it my turn now?” Evie asked, pulling a grin out of me before I claimed her lips.” You should take a quick bath; the others are waiting.”
With her statement, I realized something else. She had a dress on, not her riding suit. “You are not going with me?”
“I’m sorry. I can’t. I have an audience with our people. I need to make sure they are taken care of and feel safe, especially after everything that has happened.”
Of course. “I’m sorry I can’t be there with you.”
Her hand cupped my cheek, a small smile curving Evie’s lips. “I know, but you are doing this for them. Your mission is important for all of us, for our future.”
Nodding, I kissed her again.
“Enough. We all know you love her,” Willow scolded, pulling me away from Evie. “Go bathe. Your meal will be here short—”
The clinking of plates interrupted her words, and we turned to see Kingston entering the room, accompanied by Poppy and Eleanor, two of the ladies from the kitchen. They brought trays filled with steamy rice, grilled chicken and red meat, fruits, and coffee.
“You’ll need a quick meal before we can leave,” Kingston announced.
“How long was I out?”
“The entire first half of the day,” he replied, and I turned to the window. “The second half has just begun.”
That made it approximately 1:00 p.m. Yeah, we needed to leave. “Did you speak to Asher yet?”
The chief shook his head. “You must do so personally.”
Why was he acting so weird? He spoke as though there was something monumental that needed to happen between Asher and me before I could seek the Truth Teller. “Is he outside with the others?”
Kingston nodded, and I headed for the bathroom, aka, the bathtub on the other side of the fireplace.
“There is something I want to show you before you leave,” Evie informed me when I stepped out of the room, bathed, fed, and in my Elevated Warrior suit—deciding not to wear my father’s armor yet.
“Do we have time?” I asked, glancing past her to where Kingston stood with Asher.
“It is something you must do,” Imogen added beside me, exchanging a glance with Evie.
Why was everyone so cryptic today?
“Okay,” I answered, half distracted while Kingston walked past us, taking Asher into my room, and signaling for me to join them. “I’m sorry. I’ll be right back.”
