Chapter 16

Every time Rissa opened her eyes, a feeling of foreboding washed over her. Another day dawned and another chance for Calis to come for them.

Why hadn’t he?

The roads throughout Aldorwood held a haunting stillness, only interrupted by messengers to and from Cullenspire and the villagers still scrambling to get to the safety promised by their king.

Each day their numbers grew. They trained and prepared with bated breath.

Rissa pulled a heavy robe on over her sleeping gown and let her curls hang loose down her back. She couldn’t stand this feeling of anticipation anymore.

Not bothering to put shoes on her bare feet, she crept from her room. The stone floor of the corridor sent chills up her legs. What had Lonara told her? Now that magic had returned, the seasons would be more even. Summer was ending and she called the new season… autumn. Yes, apparently it would soon be autumn. A time marked by the colorful leaves scattered along the ground and a chill in the air.

The torches had not yet been lit for the day and shadows danced in front of her. How early was it?

They’d returned to the palace weeks ago much to the relief of Lord Coille. He was able to return home to Whitecap where he’d aid the Duchess in getting the refugees to Sona all while preparing the forces camped at his estate.

As a girl, Rissa had never had any interest in the running of the kingdom. She hadn’t yearned to sit in with the council. Yet, she now found such things as battle plans and grain stores filling her mind.

It was better than the other items she could think of.

She reached her intended destination. A room she’d been to a million times before. She didn’t knock, assuming he’d be sleeping. Placing her palm against the door, she twisted the handle with her other hand as she pushed slowly.

A low creak came from the door, and she froze. Peering inside, she saw the unmoving form on the bed.

Davion laid sprawled on his stomach, one arm tucked underneath his head. A linen sheet tangled in his legs, but his torso had not a stitch of clothing. Her cheeks heated and she couldn’t look away.

Everything about that man was beautiful. Not only his dark hair, mesmerizing eyes, or lithe frame—but him. His courage. His heart.

She’d always seen it. Even back when all he did was chase the palace women and ignore her attentions. He’d thought he couldn’t possibly be enough for her because all he saw was a boy with no family name. But she’d seen what he could be.

She pushed the door shut with a soft click and padded toward the bed. If they were waiting for the worst to happen, she wasn’t going to do it alone. She shrugged off her robe, lifted the sheet, and slid beneath it, turning on her side to stare at his profile.

Her hand inched forward, needing to touch him. To make sure he was real. Her fingertips trailed down his cheek, over his strong jaw, and down the curve of his neck.

A hum sounded from the back of his throat. Without opening his eyes, Davi wrapped his free arm around her waist and dragged her against him. He rested his head on her shoulder.

“I didn’t mean to wake you.” Her fingers drifted to his hair.

“Then you shouldn’t touch me.” His breath warmed her neck. “I never want to be asleep when you’re touching me.”

“Are you okay?”

“Shouldn’t I be the one asking you that? You’re the one who showed up in my room for snuggles.”

She snorted. “Don’t say snuggles.”

“Why not?”

“We aren’t snuggly people.”

He opened his eyes and lifted his head to gaze up at her. His lips formed a pout. “I’m snuggly.”

She bit back a laugh. “I’m more likely to shoot an arrow into someone than hug them.”

“True.”

She smacked his arm.

“Hey! What was that for?”

She stared down at him. “You weren’t supposed to agree.”

He pulled her tighter against him. “It’s not like you to show up here before the sun. I’m not complaining, but…”

She ran her hand along his arm until she reached his hand and intertwined their fingers. “Sometimes I wake up and there’s this moment where I forget we have you back. I just needed to see you, to feel you and make sure you’re real. You’re here.”

“I’m real,” he whispered. “I’m here. Maybe a bit busted up, but definitely here.”

She touched his chin and tilted his head moments before kissing him. Rissa had been in love with Davion for as long as she could remember. He kept her moving forward. She could have drowned in everything he was, everything he had to give.

His kiss consumed her, swallowing up every thought of the battles to come, overcoming every bit of grief she held in her heart. For her father. For Edric. Even for Davi himself.

His arms wound around her back, and he rolled them so she gazed up at him. His dark eyes lightened as he scanned her face.

“I love you,” he said. “No matter what happens, no matter what has happened, you have to know that.”

Tears stood in her eyes, refusing to fall. Was it possible to love him more than ever? Even after the things he’d done? She knew exactly who he was now. The son of Calis Bearne. She’d seen his hesitation with his father.

But as her eyes traced the contours of his familiar face, she only saw the boy who’d stood under the dying tree on the night of the ball unable to say the words he was saying now.

She thought of her mother, who’d by all accounts loved her father more than anything. Had that loved stopped with her death?

Rissa hoped not. How could it? The earth remembered everything.

* * *

Davi refused to leave Rissa’s side when she decided she needed to visit the forest behind the palace. The valley of kings had always been beautiful, even without magic, but now it was magnificent.

Flowers had sprouted up as if marking where each former monarch or others of royal blood were buried. The farthest had a small statue commemorating Trystan the Bold. He wasn’t buried there because his death was centuries before, but his story was told throughout Dreach-Sciene.

He’d sacrificed himself by taking in too much magic, letting it break his body down, while he waited for the opportunity to strike. Davi didn’t know if he’d truly been bold or just desperate.

After their early morning ‘snuggling’—he chuckled at the term—Rissa returned to her rooms to dress for the day.

She’d arrived in the courtyard as he sparred with a young recruit, using only magic. After watching for a few minutes, she’d had a boy fetch her riding cloak and horse. That was when Davi stepped in. She was crazy if she thought she could go anywhere alone.

Rissa kneeled on the ground in front of a stone that had been carved with her mother’s name. Davi squeezed her shoulder as he passed her. There was one man he needed to see.

He stopped and stared at the place where Marcus Renauld had been interred into the earth. Was he watching them now?

A drop of water landed on Davi’s cheek, but he didn’t bother to pull up his hood. Marcus Renauld had been a father to him. He knew that. But he didn’t feel it.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “Earth, I’m sorry.” He felt as if he was betraying Marcus with every ill thought. He’d done enough damage just with his presence in his life. “Dammit, Marcus, if you hadn’t taken me in, if you hadn’t been kind, we might not be in this mess.”

As soon as he said the words, he knew they were false. His father would’ve found another way to have eyes inside that palace.

He glanced back at Rissa who was lost in her own conversation with her mother. “I’m going to fight for them. I promise you that. Rissa would probably tell me to shut up because she can take care of herself, but I’m going to take care of her. And Trystan… I’m going to try.” He bent to place his hand on the stone. “Thank you.” He squeezed his eyes shut. “Thank you.”

If it hadn’t been for Marcus, would he have ended up like Lorelai? Living with memories filled with torment and regret? He understood now—what she’d said by the river after the rescue. He’d been saved her fate.

He hadn’t noticed Rissa beside him until he stood. They both peered toward the sky as raindrops fell with a steady rhythm. Rissa pulled up her hood and held out her hand to him.

He took it and let her lead him back to the horses.

“I don’t want to go back there yet,” he said.

Things seemed so much more complicated behind those walls.

Rissa nodded as if she knew exactly what he meant. “There’s a cave nearby with a big enough opening for the horses.”

By the time they reached the cave, they were both sopping wet. Once the horses were under cover, Davi shook the wet hair from his face and unclasped his cloak.

Rissa searched the cave, finding a single stick. She set it on the ground and flicked her hand. A flame broke free.

He laughed. “It took Lorelai a lot longer to teach me the things she’s taught you in only a few weeks.”

She shrugged. “That’s because you were probably so annoying she could only stand to teach you in small doses.”

He raised an eyebrow and advanced toward her. “You think I’m annoying?”

She backed away from him, nodding and biting her lip. Her back hit the wall of the cave and he continued closing the distance.

“Am I annoying now?” He dipped his head so his lips brushed her ear as he spoke.

“Yeah.” She swallowed.

He grinned as he pressed a kiss just below her ear. “Still annoying?”

“Mmhmm,” she sighed. “So annoying.”

He ripped his lips away. “Okay then. I’ll just go to my side of the cave.”

A groan rumbled low in her throat. “You don’t play fair.”

“Never did, sweetheart.” He flashed another grin and sat along the opposite wall.

She slid down until her butt hit the dirt. “Fine, I’ll listen to someone who wants to talk to me.”

He scooted across toward her. “What’s it feel like? The tenelach?”

She closed her eyes, giving in to the music of the earth as she opened herself to it. “Power,” she answered. “It feels like power.” The magic flowed along her skin, creating a barrier between her and the rest of the world. “I think anyone can hear it. Most have just closed themselves off. But if you try, really try, the earth will speak to you as well. You only have to be ready to hear it.” She held out her hand, palm up. “Come here.”

He got to his knees and slid to kneel beside her. She took one of his hands and placed it against the dusty ground.

“You feel the magic, yes?” she asked.

He nodded.

“I see the concentration in your eyes. You’re putting up walls to restrict the flow of power. The tenelach is unrestricted, unrestrained. Loosen your hold on the control.”

Davi sat in silence for a long moment as if speaking to his magic. His eyes widened.

“Do you feel it?” she asked.

“The current.” He shook his head in wonder. “It’s effortless. I don’t have to pull it free. The magic wants to live in me.”

Rissa smiled. “Welcome to my world, Davion.”

She let it fill every empty part of her until she was buzzing. It wasn’t until the current slowed that she noticed Davi had fallen back and stopped moving.

She slammed up her walls, blocking the earth’s call as the real world struggled for breath. “Davion.” She lunged for him and gripped his shoulders, shaking hard. “Wake up. Davion!” She slapped his face and a cough burst out of him. He gasped for breath and his eyes flew open.

She collapsed on top of him. “You’re okay.”

A giggle escaped his lips. An honest to earth giggle. She raised her head to study his stupidly grinning face.

“Hi.” He burst into laughter.

She sat up. “What’s so funny?”

“Have I told you today how beautiful you are? My beautiful little princess.”

She narrowed her eyes.

He sat up suddenly and then climbed to his feet. His hand shot out and a burst of wind tunneled into the cave, bringing the rain in bucketfuls.

Rissa screamed as the water struck her in the face. “What are you doing?” She released her own magic to counteract his and the wind stopped.

He shrugged. “There was fire.”

“That was keeping us warm, you idiot.”

“I’m not an idiot, you’re an idiot.”

“Oh, my earth.” She got to her feet and put her hands on her head. “Are we ten years old?”

“Were you in love with me at ten?”

She scowled.

He went on. “You didn’t have the nice girl bits then.”

She choked. “What is happening?”

“We’re standing in a cave,” he said proudly as he stood up straighter.

She buried her face in her hands. “I’ve broken Davi. Oh, my earth.”

She looked back up, but he was no longer in front of her. A tap on her shoulder made her jump.

Davi cackled as she twisted to glare at him. Did the magic do this?

She grabbed his sleeve and pulled.

“Where are we going?” he asked.

“To find someone who can fix this.”

“Fix what? Did something happen?” He drew his sword so suddenly she jumped back. “Who do I need to fight.” He made a jabbing motion. “I’m ready.”

He touched the blade with his other hand and yelped. The blade dropped to the ground with a clatter.

“What just happened?” Rissa asked.

Davi stuck his finger in his mouth and glared at the discarded sword. “It’s sharp.”

Rissa groaned and pointed to Davi’s horse. “Get on.”

It was still raining when they reached the palace, but a stable lad ran out to take both their horses. Davi cradled his arm against his chest as they hurried across the room. Rissa rolled her eyes.

Ramsey and Lonara were in the hall with Trystan for lunch and both stood as Rissa rushed in. She ignored her brother and went straight toward the Tri-Gard members. She pointed back at Davi. “Fix him before I lose my mind.”

“What’s wrong with Davi?” Trystan asked.

Davi ran forward, stopping at the end of the high table. “Lonara, Ramsey it is so good you’re here. You as well, your Majesty.”

Trystan shot a questioning look at Rissa.

Davi held up his hand. The blood on his finger was barely visible. “I have been injured in battle. I must be tended to.”

Rissa closed her eyes and groaned.

“Battle?” The worry in Trystan’s voice was unmistakable.

Rissa held up a hand for the now panicked hall to quiet. She flicked her eyes toward Davi. “He nicked himself on his own sword.” A tittering of laughter surrounded them and Davi grinned, eating up the attention.

Rissa met Ramsey’s eyes and jerked her head toward the door. He followed her and Lonara tagged along. Davi trailed behind them.

“Something is wrong with him,” Rissa whispered. “It’s like… Well, years ago, Trystan and Davi got ahold of this rare herb with hallucinogenic properties. I ended up having to hide the two of them in my bed chamber to keep my father from finding out. Davi was exactly as he is now.”

Ramsey looked to Lonara, and she nodded. “Has Davion been pulling magic?”

“No more than me. I was teaching him how to put fewer restrictions on his power.”

Lonara’s hand shot out and gripped her arm. “You must never do that. Our body’s restrictions exist for a reason.”

“She’s right, dear.” Ramsey rubbed his chin. “You have the tenelach and can hold untold amounts of magic. Davion cannot. He has been poisoned by magic.”

Rissa sucked in a breath.

Lonara glanced back at Davi. “It will fade soon. But next time, Rissa… Magic poisoning happens when we take more than we can handle. If we push past that point, past the high feeling, the next step is death.”

“You mean I could have killed him?”

“Yes,” Ramsey answered. Lonara elbowed him and he only shrugged.

Rissa came to an abrupt stop, her feet freezing in place. He almost died because of her? A body slammed into her from behind and she went sprawling to the ground. Davi landed heavily on top of her, and a laugh burst free of him as he rolled off and offered her a hand.

“Many sorries, my dear.” He grinned.

She followed the line of his arm up over his shoulder until her eyes met his. The darkness that had been such a thick presence had vanished, replaced by a twinkling mirth.

When she took his hand, he yanked her to her feet and pulled her against him. “Mmm, you smell good. You say you’ve loved me most of our lives. That you’ve been mine long before I knew. But you’re wrong, Ri Ri, I’ve always been yours.”

He pecked her lips and then spun away from her. He clapped his hands. “I feel it. All of it. The power. The magic is calling to me. I need more.”

“No,” Ramsey barked. “That’s a lie, Davion. It may feel like it isn’t enough, but any more will kill you.”

“I don’t feel weak.” He cocked his head. “I won’t die.”

“He needs to release some magic.” Lonara directed this to Rissa.

Ramsey nodded in agreement. “But we can’t allow him outside the palace grounds where he can draw more from the earth.”

“The training yard.” Rissa didn’t wait for them as she grabbed Davi’s arm and practically dragged him in the opposite direction.

The rain hadn’t let up, but there was no helping it.

Lorelai appeared behind them. “I heard. Is he okay?”

“Hi, cousin.” Davi leaned forward and gave her a sloppy kiss on the cheek.

Lorelai peered around him to shoot Rissa a look. “How did he take in this much magic? I taught him how to control the current.”

And Rissa taught him how to destroy his control. She couldn’t say the words so instead, she stepped out into the rain.

“Rissa.” Lorelai looked to the sky. “You can do something about this. I’m not powerful enough, but I don’t particularly like the thought of stepping into the freezing rain. Channel what I’ve taught you.”

Water streamed down Rissa’s face. She blew out a breath. Ramsey and Lonara could have helped her, but they waited.

Rissa retreated into herself, communicating silently with the magic held in her body. It writhed in time with her thoughts. Envision what you want to do. Listen to the rules. Rissa couldn’t control the weather. She couldn’t stop the rain.

But she could alter its path. She raised her face to the coming torrent and directed a slow stream of power into the air. The water bent around her until raindrops no longer struck her face. She sent more power out and expanded the radius of her protection until half the courtyard was saved from the pounding of the rain.

Others had stopped to watch their princess perform a task that seemed so simple to her. Their eyes widened.

Ramsey grinned.

Lonara even smiled.

Lorelai only nodded in approval before stepping into the training yard.

A rapid clapping sounded behind them. “Bravo,” Davi yelled. “Bloody brilliant.”

Pride bloomed in Rissa’s chest. “Do I have to let his high fade? I kind of like him like this.”

Lorelai laughed and for a second, Rissa wondered if she imagined the sound. The seer had been solemn since the day they rescued her.

“Trystan!” Davi yelled as the king appeared. “Everyone! The king has graced us with his noble presence.” Davi bowed.

Rissa snorted. She couldn’t remember Davi ever even bowing to her father.

Trystan tried to contain a grin. He straightened his jacket. “This isn’t funny.” It was as if he was telling himself not to laugh. “Davi could have been hurt.”

Davi walked toward Trystan and stopped only inches away, dropping his voice into a whisper. “I didn’t die.” He wrapped his arms around Trystan’s shoulders. “Davi needs a hug.”

Rissa brought her hand to her mouth and bit her knuckles to stifle a laugh. Ramsey didn’t bother to hide his as it boomed free of him.

Trystan pushed Davi away and looked to Rissa helplessly. “I think I like evil Davi better.”

“Not me.” Her eyes watered from her contained laughter. She reached for Davi and guided him out into the training yard, her concentration torn between him and protecting them from the rain above. She couldn’t hold it for much longer.

Davi just stood there.

“Do something.” She shoved him.

He shrugged and lifted his face to the sky.

Her hold on the rain burst as Davi shot his magic straight through hers.

Her shoulders hunched forward, and her breath left her in a whoosh. Davi didn’t seem to notice.

“Oh, my earth,” Trystan gasped.

The water hitting Rissa had turned red, leaving streaks down her skin.

“Is that blood?” Trystan asked, the horror plain in his voice. He made a move to stop Davi, but Rissa shook her head.

It wasn’t blood. She cupped her hands to catch the rain. Wine?

“Davi,” she yelled. “You’re a proper drunkard, aren’t you?” She shot Trystan a grin. “It’s wine. The toss pot.”

But what had Lorelai told her? One rule of magic was that you couldn’t turn one thing into another.

Rissa brought her hands to her lips and tilted them so the wine ran into her mouth. Not wine. Still water.

He hadn’t changed its properties, only their perception of them.

Davi put his hands on his hips as if he was the smartest man in the world. Maybe he was.

As each moment ticked by, his hold on the magic loosened, until red no longer fell from the sky.

Rissa wiped raindrops out of her face and ran a hand over her sopping dress. She glanced toward the others who were still in the dry alcove at the entrance of the training yard.

Davi stumbled and she ran to him. When she met his gaze, the light from before was gone, but maybe that was okay. The darkness was a part of Davi. It made him who he was.

“I’m so sorry,” she yelled over the thunderous rain. “This is all my fault.”

He shook his head and stumbled back again.

She caught him around the waist and pressed a kiss to his lips.

“I didn’t know.” Those words were for her more than him.

“I know.” He fell backward and she wasn’t strong enough to catch him as he crumpled to the dirt.