“On ancient ice formations in unstable peaks while trying to control particle dispersion across multiple elevations.” His hands found my waist. “That counts as risky, Adele.”
“But necessary.”
“Which is why we’ll be as careful as possible while still moving fast enough to matter.”
I leaned into him, borrowing his strength. What we were about to attempt was starting to settle on my shoulders. This wasn’t theoretical anymore. This was real magic, real consequences, real babies depending on me getting it right.
All we could do was try and hope that science and my magic could fix it.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
RAOUL
We flew through the afternoon and into the night, arcing across the sky toward Silvervale, descending toward Silvervale’s peaks as the first hint of dawn touched the horizon. The mountains rose like frozen waves, their surfaces catching the pre-dawn light and transforming it into something ethereal.
It felt different from our last visit. Then, I’d been bracing for hostility and accusations. Now, I carried hope that we could actually fix this.
Adele moved on my back, her exhaustion palpable. We’d been flying all night, and she’d barely slept for days, too focused on solving this problem.
Almost there,I said.Are you alright?
I’m fine.
You’re a terrible liar.
Her laugh came out soft, tired.I’ll rest when this is over. Promise.
Queen Mortiven met us in the courtyard, flanked by only two advisors instead of the full reception committeefrom last time. Her hair had been pulled back, and her face was welcoming, though a bit guarded.
Progress.
After Adele slid off my back, I shifted to my usual form.
“King Raoul. Queen Adele.” Mortiven’s voice came out carefully neutral. “Your message said you’d found a possible cause.”
“We have,” Adele said. “And if we’re right, we have a solution.”
Something flickered in Mortiven’s eyes. Hope, maybe. Or fear that we were wrong and this nightmare would continue.
“Come inside,” the queen said. “We’ve prepared rooms for you to rest. When you’re ready, you can present your findings to my full council. Perhaps over a late breakfast?”
“That would be fine,” I said.
She led us through corridors I recognized from our previous visit, but the atmosphere had shifted. Guards still watched us, but without the open suspicion from before. People we passed in hallways nodded rather than glared.
Word had spread that we were trying to help, that we weren’t the enemy.
We were taken to the same rooms with windows overlooking the peaks. Queen Mortiven left us, and the moment the door closed, Adele swayed.
I caught her, pulling her against my chest. “Bed. Now.”
“I need to review my notes one last time.”
“You need to sleep.” I guided her toward the bedroom, ignoring her half-hearted protests. “You can’t present anything if you collapse from exhaustion.”
“I won’t do that.”
“Adele.” I turned her to face me, needing her to see howserious I was. “You’ve been working for days. We flew all night.”
