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“You’re actually serious.” Fern scoffed. “Maybe you should stick to something other than healing.”

Araxis recoiled. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I mean, you’re wrong.” She flitted onto the bed, plopped down, and gathered Lunara’s limp hand in her own. “Forgive me, Your Majesties. There’s nothing simple about what was happening in that twigging tomb. I felt it when he changed. Shit, I felt it while the rest of them were still writhing on the ground after this one”—she lifted Lunara’s arm with a little shake—“delivered mass, cosmic destruction to an entire chasm easy as setting a summer bonfire.”

“Aye.” Magnus swallowed, the memory still so fresh. “She…wasn’t herself then, either. I thought it was the Tear Stone, but what if it wasn’t?”

“No.” Fern shook her head. “You don’t have to worry about her. Whether it was or wasn’t, she’s fine.”

“Let me guess,” Araxis murmured, voice dripping with sarcasm, “you can feel it.”

The Fae’s grin was pure evil. “Mock me again. Go on, I dare you.”

“Enough,” Hedda barked. “We have plenty to worry about without adding bickering to the list.”

“Thank you, Second Commander,” Alwyn said, a brow raised at Araxis. “What I would like to know is why they’re still unconscious.”

Araxis cleared his throat. “Technically, Brand and Lunara are both in full health. I’ve set the magic to release them when they’re ready, so it’s up to them.”

“You’re supposed to be the most powerful Nachthellian there is. Can’t you do anything else? It’s only been two days since the witchling pulled herself out of the last sleep, and it took her a bleeding month.” Mag rubbed at his temples, already dreading the wait. The uncertainty.

“And, as I said both then and now, it’s out of my hands. You’ll have to get in the grievance line and take it up with her,” Araxis growled, a hank of black hair trembling on his brow as he jutted a finger at Lunara. “The one damned Sorcerit in Bordoroth who is more powerful than me, and thus less predictable.”

Ach, poked him just wrong, Pet. Last time he looked at us like that, I’d just called him Axie to his face.

Repeatedly. After Araxis asked him to stop. And it had not ended well for the furniture in their mam’s private sitting room.

—Rein them in, bring it back. This isn’t getting us anywhere⁠—

“Apologies, little brother. I’m just a wee bit tired and wasn’t thinking. It will be as it will be,” Mag said, grateful for Pet’s level head.

The whole room seemed to release a collective sigh when Araxis nodded and relaxed back into his shadows.

—Aye, there’s a good lad. Keep it together. They’re counting on you⁠—

“We’ll need a plan, then,” he continued. “They can’t be left alone, but we can’t all be sitting here twiddling our thumbs together for weeks on end again, either.”

Hedda nodded once at Faldir. “Third Commander.”

Faldir didn’t miss a beat. He crossed to an ornate desk in the sitting area, where neat piles of parchment and missives dutifully awaited the return of their master. Snatching a blank sheet and the quill, he took a seat and started writing.

“Obviously, we’ll have to wait for Amun and Vann’s return to finish it completely, but we can at least sort the first few days while Your Majesties are here,” Hedda said.

“We…” Alwyn tightened his hold on Fionerys, a muscle twitching in his cheek. “We can’t stay. The court at Argoph believes us to be tucked into our bed. And while…while the realms remain…remain…”

“While the realms remain unstable,” Fionerys quietly finished, “we are forced to continue the charade. Bordoroth needs us to be steadfast and reliable. Trustworthy. Especially after being absent for so long already.”

Deep within, where solid ground and sure steps had been his only reality, Magnus stumbled. The dry soil gave way to marshland he hadn’t known was there, and he sank the tiniest bit. Just enough to send a spike of electricity up his spine as he righted himself with a shaky huff.

—I’ve got you, Maggie. Deep breath. It’s been a lot, but it’ll be alright. You’ve had a long day, aye?—

“Oh. Aye. O-Of course.” Magnus forced his features into a cheeky grin, not really sure who he was answering. “Aye, that makes perfect sense. Besides, I always planned on taking the first watch. I’d have had a hard time convincing Pet other⁠—”

The door burst open, Lyriat on the other side. He was sweating, chest heaving as he steadied himself on the frame.

Schedule forgotten, everyone jumped, instantly on high alert. He and Fern took up a stance beside the bed as Araxis threw a shield out, his parents’ power sweeping through the room. Hedda and Faldir moved as one, hands to their axes.

“What is it?” Hedda asked.