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Tension tautens my muscles. “I saw.”

My gaze returns to the temple wall where the water marks have once again settled into innocuous stains.

Another bizarre event in a series of oddities, yet we still have no clue what any of this means.

Or what we need to do to stop it.

By the time Sterling and I return to the now quiet temple, night has fallen. The paths are deserted except for the occasional guard.

Agnar accompanies us, his tall frame providing additional security. “The priestess wouldn’t let anyone in after the disturbance. Said the temple needed to rest and heal from the negative energy.”

I study the living walls in the moonlight as a crisp breeze ruffles my hair. The water stains changed again. The patterns disappeared, leaving only ordinary moisture marks. More tellingly, the temple’s plants have shifted since the afternoon, the vines and leaves growing to cover the exposed areas.

Sterling paces the length of the wall. “This temple is definitely hiding something.”

We study the structure for another long moment before retreating for the palace.

“It’s almost like someone’s trying to communicate with us.” I’m glad I wasn’t alone when I saw the patterns. Otherwise, I would think I was losing my grip on reality. How many other witnessed miracles go unreported because people fear no one will believe them?

Agnar’s battle-scarred face is solemn. I guess even he takes dispatches from the gods seriously. “And someone else is making very sure we can’t read the messages.”

Who could be strong enough to do that?

“The water felt like it was being pulled in two directions. Like two users fighting for control. With that kind of strength, it has to be the gods.” Sterling stops at the palace entrance and waits for the guards to open the doors with practiced efficiency.

Inside, warmth and light await, but the comfort feels hollow compared to my growing anxiety. “I think it’s time to see if the reports are true and find out if this is happening in other kingdoms.”

Sterling’s expression hardens. “If it’s just Tirene, that tells us one thing. If it’s everywhere…”

He doesn’t finish the thought. He doesn’t need to.

“We need allies and information.”

The flowers and wedding plans will have to wait. I won’t feel safe until we understand what the gods are trying to communicate…and who’s trying to silence them.

Chapter Ten

I press my nose against the big window in Lark and Knox’s sitting room, leaving smeary marks that someone will probably lecture me for later. But I don’t care because dragons. Dragons are in the courtyard!

Their scales catch sunlight and turn it all kinds of colors. Like when Lady Rhiann let me play in the jewelry box and I accidentally spilled all the pretty sparkly necklaces and earrings. Mama says I’m “not to be left alone.” Which is silly because I’m already six and can take care of myself.

That’s why I’m here watching Lark and everyone get ready for their important trip.

My flame—it doesn’t have a name yet because it’s still deciding—hovers over my shoulder and makes tiny glittery circles in the air. Uncle Agnar says most people don’t get familiars. He says it’s special, like me.

I may not have my wings yet, or elemental magic, but at least I have something no one else does.

“Rose, get your face off the glass.” Uncle Agnar scolds me without even looking. I swear, he has eyes in the back of his head.

I rub away the smudge with my sleeve. “How long ’til you come back?”

Uncle Agnar counts the swords laid out on the large table. He picks each one up, swishes the blade through the air, and puts it back down again. “Five, maybe six days if the negotiations take longer. Shouldn’t be more than a week.”

“That’s forever.” I huff and flop onto a giant chair. My feet can’t reach the floor, so my legs stick straight out. My flame zooms around my head, trailing light behind it.

On the other side of the room, Knox holds a piece of paper. “Thirty-seven waterskins. Twelve tents, winter-weight. Fifty rations of dried meat.”

Bastian nods. He resembles Lark, with the same hazel eyes and shiny brown hair, only his chin is pointier. “I’ve doubled the blankets. The mountains of Tír Ríoga are colder this time of year.”