“No! I meant, don’t tell them I’m an elf.”
“Why not?”
Wycke answered before anyone could trigger another alarm. “Because citizens of my realm aren’t supposed to visit the human realm, let alone stay and make a life here. So they use glamour to appear human. Any actual humans you told would call you crazy.” With the number of magicals Wycke had met in his brief time this trip, maybe the human realm needed a new name.
The elf’s eyes widened.
“Don’t worry. The wars sent a lot of people running. You, George over there.” Wycke, who’d only ventured into the human realm for entertainment in the past, never took the time to mingle, so never realized the extent to which those of his realm abandoned their heritage to come here. Based on current evidence, they hadn’t lost their magic, either, as he’d been led to believe, which explained the casual use of glamour. So, the requirement of giving up magic to live here was only more propaganda to keep the realms separate.
At that moment, George had his face against a pastry display case, breath steaming the glass with every exhale.
Wycke set the remnants of his meal aside, fighting the urge to offer Chynne the remaining tidbits. He leaned back against the wall. Tired. So tired. Let the rest of the group figure out what to do.
“You and your sister?” the elf asked.
“Just passing through.” Or so Wycke hoped. With his brother gone batshit crazy, was anyplace safe? Speaking of… “Saris, we need to get back to the palace, the one place Radre might not come, if we appeal to Broen.” Could Aberfrer construct wards against intrusion?
“Agreed, brother.” Saris tossed her braid back over her shoulder. “Chynne?”
Chynne deflated somewhat with a sigh. “Your Majesty, I’ve built several portals today. I’m currently using my power to keep your brother away. I’m afraid I must rest. Wycke is still recovering from his battle.”
“Can I help?” Piers asked.
“No!” they all screamed at once.
Saris tilted her head to a thoughtful angle, studying Piers closely enough that even Wycke began to squirm. “Chynne, if I manage to initiate a portal to my rooms, could I borrow some of Piers’ power to see the spell through?”
“Do you know how?” Chynne asked.
Saris nodded. “I know the motions; I just lack the power.”
So maybe Wycke wasn’t the only one who’d seen a portal as a possible escape.
Chynne nodded. “Yes, Your Majesty. Which is how I believe Pieravor first entered this realm. His mother initiated a portal, later fueled by Pieravor’s magic, which allowed him to enter, along with your guard.”
Piers cast a wary glance. “What do I have to do?”
“Focus on my hands, the patterns they make in the air. Push at them with your mind. Feed them power.” Saris demonstrated drawing the pattern with her hands.
Piers chewed his lower lip. “That’s all?”
Chynne sidled up beside him. “The process is more difficult than it sounds at first, but with practice, transference becomes easier.” He grinned. “I’ll make sure you don’t blow anything up.”
“Transference. Hmmm…” Piers stroked his chin. “I’m willing to try. Where are we going?”
Saris gave a tired smile. She wasn’t used to adventures, staying isolated in the palace. Wycke should’ve taken her with him on adventures a time or two instead of thinking of his own confinement.
“My sitting room at the palace,” she said. “You don’t need to visualize. I’ll draw the map.”
While Jess and the elf murmured in the background and George helped himself to sweets, Saris waved her hands in the air, weaving the pattern for them to follow. Where she’d learned about making portals, Wycke might never know. Then again, she’d frequented Lady Nyanda’s tower in the past.
A scary thought. Based on her background, Saris should be the likeliest of the Bertillian children to turn evil, not Radre.
Piers’ wild magic flitted through the room. Wycke concentrated, capturing the runaway energy and turning the tide toward Saris’s handiwork. Chynne made swatting motions with his forepaws, likely doing the same.
Wycke would never dare tell him how much he resembled a kitten batting at string.
Saris gave Piers an encouraging smile. “See? You’re getting a feel for your abilities already.”
