“I see you two have found each other.” They both turned to face Farren jogging out of the forest to join them.
“Excuse me?” Amira asked.
Varsha’s face lit up.
“Varsha is one of our allies, Amira. She has helped Lora and Eyden more than once,” Farren explained.
Varsha let out a thunderous laugh as she surprised Amira by hugging her. “I knew it. Welcome to the rebellion, princess. It’s about damn time.”
Amira gave her a sheepish smile, and they turned to follow Farren deeper into the woods.
As they neared a group of three gathered there, Amira’s gaze locked on Elyssa before taking in Tarnan. She didn’t immediately recognise the third person until she turned her head to the side, grey hair framing her exhausted features.
Karwyn’s witch,talking with Tarnan and Elyssa as if it was the most normal thing. Amira felt a surge of power in her hands, ready to defend herself and everyone else.
Tarnan raised his head from the ancient spell book in his hand and smiled at Amira before noticing that her eyes were locked on Cirny.
“Don’t worry, Cirny is with us,” Tarnan said as they stopped before the group. Farren took his place next to Cirny. “I knew her before she was forced into a life contract to the Adelway bloodline—first Harten Adelway, and after his death, the bond moved to Karwyn, the nearest living relative. I’ve been trying to find ways to help her break free from her abusive master.”
Cirny bowed her head. “Princess, I know we may have started on opposite sides, but I assure you, my intentions align with yours.”
Amira couldn’t help but remember the last time she had seen the witch—when she had discovered Nalani’s corpse. Her hands twitched violently. Cirny had been helping Karwyn for years, dissecting bodies to try and steal their power for the king.
She didn’t have a choice,whispered a small voice inside her head. Cirny had probably been under contract for longer than Amira had been alive.
The corner of Elyssa’s mouth tipped upwards as if trying to calm Amira’s worries. “We will work together,” Amira finally said, though she couldn’t help her unease. Cirny bowed her head again, seemingly understanding that Amira’s trust was barely earned.
“Good, because we need the three of you to strengthen your connection before the spell,” Tarnan said. Amira had filled Tarnan in on their new intention for the spell through a fire message.
“What do we need to do?” Amira asked.
Removing the talisman from his pocket, Farren placed it on a large tree trunk. Cirny joined him next to it.
As Amira was about to join them, Elyssa slid to her side. Her eyes lingered on Amira’s lips as she smiled at her, but then Elyssa tilted her head, her gaze flickering to Tarnan who was focused on the book in his hand. Amira hadn’t considered if Tarnan would oppose their…relationship.
Amira gave Elyssa a quick kiss on the cheek instead.
Elyssa turned to her, her grin pleasantly surprised. “Missed you, princess,” she said, her eyes sparkling.
“I missed you too,” Amira whispered in her ear, the familiarity between them warming her heart.
Elyssa squeezed her hand before moving away. Varsha raised a questioning eyebrow. Amira hadn’t mentioned her complicated relationship with Elyssa in her letters to Varsha, fearing the numerous questions her friend would have asked her while she was still unsure about her feelings.
“Scandalous,” Varsha mouthed to Amira, a sly smile on her face but only happiness in her eyes. Amira couldn’t help but grin as she joined Farren and Cirny by the tree trunk.
As Tarnan placed crystals in a circle in front of them, Amira looked at Cirny with curiosity. “How are you managing to train behind Karwyn’s back? Aren’t you forbidden from causing him harm?” she asked.
“Attempting to break Loraine’s contract does not directly put him in harm’s way.” Cirny’s voice was livelier than the first time they’d met. “He hasn’t directly ordered me not to.”
Tarnan put the last crystal on the tree trunk. “These are the crystals you need to spell for our plan to work. Their combined energy will strengthen your own life force and work against the contract,” Tarnan said.
Cirny turned to him. “I cannot believe I will see my family again in a few days. I’m forever grateful.”
Tarnan smiled at her. “You deserve your freedom.”
Cirny and Farren took note of the different crystals in front of them. The crystals didn’t have much meaning to Amira, but Farren had explained that the spell they were attempting would be so draining that they needed to shield their life force by spelling as many black tourmaline crystals—which were used for protection spells—as possible.
As they started a discussion about which one to start with, Varsha moved next to Amira and said softly, “Guess you’ve made a veryclosefriend in Pyria.” She discreetly gestured to Elyssa.
