Page 55

“What has that look on your face?” Janik asks.

“I might be able to locate Devon.” I send a prayer to the gods for the strength and ability.

“How?”

The door of the throne room rattles and opens. Horek steps inside. His gaze bounces between my brother and me.

“Is all well?” he asks hesitantly.

“Janik is aware of our bloodline’s…ability and what it could mean for his kits in the future.”

Horek glances at my brother. “How do you feel about it?”

He shrugs. “I’m not concerned one way or another.”

“Good. Nor am I,” my cousin says.

“Perhaps if you were the ones who suddenly breathed flames that burned everything to ash, you might be as concerned as I am. But we can discuss it at a later time. Now, we need to see if I’m able to track down my heart’s fire.” I glance between the two of them. “This is your chance to possibly tap into our abilities as well. Let’s go.”

We race out of the palace and head for the market square. When questioning the residents of Preska since Devon was discovered missing, it was the last place anyone can remember seeing her. A Jintiri priest had come forward saying he had accidentally collided with her the previous day, but she was well when they continued their trek to their temple.

We reach the market square and stop directly in the center of it next to a booth with tables covered in various plants and flowers. The vendor puts on his most charming smile.

“Your Highness. Might I interest you in a postikar plant for your mate? The colors as most soothing and would complement her well.”

“No thank you. But you can help me another way. I’m looking for a specific flower. The luveelo flower. Do you happen to have one available?” I will never lose the way my heart’s fire smells, but if Horek and Janik have the same scenting ability I do, then they need a sample to search for and follow.

“I believe I might have a small one here somewhere. Give me just a moment, please.” The vendor searches through the myriad of plants and flowers that surround and rest on his table as well as at the back of his tent. He makes a sound and claps his hands. “Ah, yes, here we go.”

He hands it to me with a hopeful gleam in his eyes. I turn toward Janik and Horek.

“Here, breathe in this scent and memorize it. Memorize every note. Every nuance of fragrance. Hold it tightly in your mind.”

I pass the flower first to my cousin. After several ticks he passes it to my brother. When they’ve finished I hand it back to the vendor.

“Take the credits from my account for this, please, and hold on to it until I come back to retrieve it.”

The vendor bobs his head quickly. “Of course, Your Highness, thank you for your purchase. I’ll keep it safely here and ready for you.”

I face Horek and Janik and stare at them with the intensity of someone who will stop at nothing to find his mate. “If you have the same powers as I do, I need you to try and tap into them. My sense of smell is greatly enhanced since breaking free of the madness that held me prisoner. I can smell things I never had been able to before much stronger now. While it might not work, I need you both to try.”

Janik and Horek glance at each other and back to me. My cousin speaks first.

“We will do what we can.”

“Good.” Here is the part I’m not certain about, but the risk is worth taking. “I’m going to call the beast to come to me.”

“You’re what?” Horek shouts.

“It’s the only way. Together, we are stronger. My abilities greater. It’s how I was able to break through the chaos inside my head while in the med pod. I didn’t fight the beast. Instead, I accepted him as a part of me and not a separate entity.”

“What if you attack us or any of the innocents around us?” Janik asks.

I stare directly at him. “Then you will do what needs to be done. Both of you will.”

My brother swallows, and Horek growls his objections, but I don’t look away from Janik. Finally, he nods.

“Be ready.” I close my eyes, slowly breathe in, and beckon the beast out of the shadows of my mind.