Chapter 33

Firo watched her until she was no longer in his sight.

“Should we worry?” His princess was beside him now.

He glanced at her. “No. this will help her.”

Aireese gave him a skeptical look.

“I expected to see her laughing at you,” Capri said quietly.

He looked at the woman whose power always made his skin feel electrified. She was giving him a very thorough look. “I had much to tell her.”

Capri tilted her head to the side. Her hair was moving, and yet there was no motion of air in the area. He knew this was her magic. He could feel it. “Like what?”

He held her look for a moment and then looked back to where Ava had driven away. “That isn’t for me to tell.” He didn’t mean it disrespectfully, he just knew Ava would decide when and what she was sharing with others.

“Did you tell her everything?” Aireese inquired.

“Nearly all, yes.”

“Nearly?”

He nodded but continued to focus on the sound of her motorcycle echoing between buildings. “Yes. I did not have the chance to tell her how I’m able to feel what she does and how I find her so easily.”

“But she knows the rest?”

He nodded.

“Her memories?”

He looked at his princess to see the worry on her face plainly. “I don’t think she’ll want them returned.”

Aireese looked relieved and then turned to look down the alleyway. “Will she be all right?”

“I will check on her in a while. Right now, anger is what she needs and—” He motioned to where she had gone. “To drive that.”

“Ava is happiest when she’s on her bike,” Jeri said quietly as she walked up behind them.

He nodded. “I know.” And he did. Keeping up with her over the years had been a challenge when she was on that machine. It was how he discovered being on the rooftops in the city was so peaceful, he’d been there trying to follow where she went.

“Interesting.” Capri mused. “Well, we have much to do.” She turned and looked at his princess. “Let me know when the meeting in the stone circle will be.”

Aireese nodded. “I will set it after Ava has been to Fa Terra to see Amyas.”

Capri gave her an amused look. “You’re taking Ava to FaTerra?”

Aireese nodded.

“Good luck to you.” Capri smiled. “Ava doesn’t do anything unless she wants to.”

“She will.” Firo looked to see her hair was settled now. “Want to go there.”

Capri narrowed her eyes and looked at him for a moment. “We’ll see each other later.”

Aireese nodded. “Yes. I need to go home and rest for a while.” She sent him an inquiring look. He nodded. He doubted he’d rest, but he needed a few moments to himself to sort through what had happened. He looked down at his hand. He could still feel Ava’s magic on his skin. He wanted to feel that sensation again—more than he wanted his next breath.

Nothing could ever happen to Avalie. Ever. He would not survive it—nor would anyone that threatened to take her from him.