Sea Glass

25

THE CONFIDENCE FADED FROM ZITORA’S EXPRESSION AS HER LIPS parted in surprise. Another trick, I hoped.

Devlen pulled at his shirt. “A null shield has been woven into the fabric,” he explained.

“Clever. Did you know null shields could be manipulated like that, Opal?” she asked.

I squirmed a bit. “Yes. They attached one to a net to capture Kade.”

She turned to me and I wanted to melt into the floor.

“Why didn’t you tell us?” she asked. Her icy voice shot through me.

“Well…um…we didn’t want it to become…you know.” I made a vague gesture, but she stayed silent. “Become like null shields and Curare. Where everyone knows about it and can use it.” Weak excuse. I stifled a groan.

She waited. At least she didn’t point out the obvious. If I had told her, we wouldn’t be here.

“If you believed me about Devlen…” I clung to a slippery surface. Finally I let go. “All right, I admit it. I made another terrible mistake. At least I’m good at something!”

“You should be proud,” she said.

“No more fake fights,” Ulrick said. “Are you going to surrender or do we need to force you?”

“Such choices. I’ll go with the forced option. I have my pride.” She slid her feet into a fighting stance.

Tricky shook his head. “She’s too dangerous. Kill her now and be done with it.”

The four men shared a look.

“Now’s a good time to spring your surprise,” I said to Zitora.

“What surprise?” she asked.

Not good. “Your backup plan.”

“Sorry, Opal.”

Why didn’t she pretend to have backup? Her pointed gaze said it all. I would have to be her backup.

The men advanced on her. She looked tiny and fragile in comparison to the muscular men. Devlen moved to help her, but froze, ensnared by Tricky’s magic.

Tricky smiled. “You’re next, traitor.”

I kept still to avoid being trapped like Devlen. Zitora defended herself, but, without magic, four proved to be too many for her. She didn’t last long. Three held her. Tricky gestured at me and the switchblade flew from my hand and into his.

Genuine panic flashed in her eyes. I kept expecting a miracle or an army to break through the door, but Tricky drew his arm back to strike.

“Wait!” I screamed, gaining everyone’s attention. “Don’t kill her. I’ll siphon her powers. I promise.”

“I’d rather die,” she said. The truth.

“I’ll do it and I’ll even promise to drain the rest of the Master Magicians and Yelena.”

“No.” She bucked and thrashed, but they held tight.

Ulrick laughed. “Almost, Opal. You almost had us. We would have to remove the null shield for your plan to work, giving Zitora access to her power.”

“It would only be for a spilt second,” I said.

“But then you wouldn’t go through with it,” Ulrick reasoned. “Tricky.”

He stabbed her in the stomach with the switchblade.

He buried it up to the hilt.

He twisted the knife.

Blood spurted out.

The world faded. Sound disappeared. Color drained. Blackness crept into the edges of my vision.

The glass in my hands burned my fingers, seared my palms as magic potential sizzled along my arms. One thought slammed into me. Break the null shield and Zitora can heal herself.

Anchored by my blood, their magic resisted my efforts.

Break the null shield and Zitora can heal herself.

Her face paled to ghost white. Red liquid puddled around her. I clamped down on an hysterical giggle. Died from blood loss. Killed by blood magic.

Not enough blood. Too much blood. Blood transfusions. Blood protection. My blood. Everything connected to blood.

My heart choked and coughed in my chest as the answer hit me. My blood.

I used my glass magic on the men. Instead of reaching for their power and drawing it into the orb, I reclaimed my magic. My blood in their skin linked us. Our magic intertwined. They collapsed to the floor in agony as the power flowed from them and into me. But I couldn’t hold all the magic inside me. As soon as I relaxed, it would return to them. I would have to purge it. All of it, including my own magic.

I didn’t hesitate. I had been willing to give my life. My magic was an easier price to pay. Diamonds filled the orb, ringing out with a clear and steady sound. They rained onto the floor. A hailstorm of diamonds.

I closed my eyes, gathered the last of our powers and purged it. A searing pain shattered me, reducing me to tiny shards like crushed sea glass.

After a few more pings sounded, I opened my eyes. I lay on the ground surrounded by diamonds. My last thought dwelled on the beautiful sparkles.

Much prettier than slitting my own throat.

My world ceased to exist.

I expected peace. I expected to float free—unconnected and unconcerned. Unfortunately, the unexpected and annoying chatter of voices kept intruding on my peaceful afterlife.

I peered through a slit in my eyelids. My entire family sat or stood around the room. They talked. They argued. My mother interrogated Kade. By the poor guy’s panicked expression, I knew her questions had to be of a personal nature. Mara whispered to Leif. Ahir and my father discussed glass.

No Zitora or Janco. I hoped their absence was due to anything other than death. I closed my eyes, letting the voices flow over me. Though pleased to be alive, I had no energy for the inevitable questions. In my mind, I calculated how many travel days my parents needed to arrive in Hubal, assuming I remained in the town. Nine days on horseback at the minimum, and Kade would need ten.

Too tired to muster any energy to be concerned over the length of my sleep, I dozed. The next time the voices interrupted, I remained awake long enough to tally a list of woes. My muscles ached and my head throbbed.

Later Kade’s voice roused me enough to open my eyes all the way. He sat on the edge of my bed, holding my hand. His other fingers stroked my cheek. Deep lines of concern creased his haggard face. “…eat or you’ll wither away.”

My heavy eyelids drifted shut.

“Come on, Opal,” he pleaded. “Don’t leave me.”

I struggled to meet his gaze. I’d caused so much trouble. “Zitora?”

“She’s fine,” he rushed to assure me.

“Janco?”

“A pain in the ass, but otherwise fine.”

“Did I…die?”

“No. Just utter and complete exhaustion. But you will if you don’t start eating solid food. Yelena can’t sustain you forever.”

“Yelena?”

“She came as soon as she heard the news.”

She shouldn’t be here. She had more important things to do. “What happened—”

“I’m not telling you any more unless you eat.” Kade reached for a bowl on the table next to my bed. “Your mother’s soup.” He waved the spoon under my nose. “It’s your favorite.”

“You’re mean.” But I let him feed me because I was unable to move my arms. The simple act of swallowing exhausted me. I would have to ask my questions the next time I woke.

Each time I opened my eyes, Kade fed me and answered a few questions. I only “roused” for Kade because I didn’t have the strength to deal with anyone else.

“You were unconscious for twelve days. You’re in a room at the Dolomite Inn. The owner has given us all rooms and the use of the kitchen while we’re here,” Kade explained for a full bowl of soup.

“Once she recovered from her injuries, Zitora contacted the Council. After Yelena helped you, she switched both Devlen and Ulrick and Tama and Akako back to their rightful bodies,” Kade said for a bowl of creamy chowder.

“Ulrick, Tricky and the others have been arrested. Janco tracked down Aubin. The Council will decide their fate,” Kade offered for soup and a slice of bread.

“The Council is awarding you a commendation for your help in exposing Akako’s illicit deeds and the blood magic,” he said for soup and apple butter smeared on toast.

“The Council has voted to let you keep all the diamonds. You won’t have to worry about money anymore. You can languish on a beach and surf for the rest of your life,” he said for half a bowl of beef stew.

A full serving of stew netted me permission to stand up and move around. Finally ready to face them, I asked about the rest of my family.

“Your mother—”

“I’m sure she isn’t being very patient.”

He tried to keep his expression neutral. “I have to update her on your progress hourly. And she isn’t…happy with me at the moment.”

“Why?”

“Actually, she’s annoyed at Mara and Leif, too. All because we let you run off to Fulgor.”

At that time, no one would have stopped me. “But you didn’t—”

“Oh, and by the way,” Kade added as if just remembering, “we have to spend half of my next off-season with your parents and half with mine.”

I gave him a pained look.

“Not my fault. I had to promise my mother I’d be back when I left to join you in Fulgor. Imagine my surprise when you weren’t there.”

“Sorry. You should have sent me a message.”

“And be told to stay away?”

A valid point. And I didn’t have to be told why my mother wished me home.

A touch on my forehead revived me. Zitora cupped my face in her hands and warmth invaded my body.

“You look much better,” she said. “You should be out of here and causing trouble in no time.” A tired amusement lit her eyes.

“Not anymore. No magic left, so no more trouble.”

She sobered. “True. You can’t access the power source. Your glass magic is gone.” She covered my hand with hers. “Does that upset you?”

“No. I’m relieved. Now I’m just a regular nobody. No longer a problem. No longer a danger. No longer useful to Sitia.”

Zitora squeezed. “I won’t agree to any of those statements. You will never be a ‘regular nobody.’ Your deeds for Sitia have extended beyond the regular and into the extraordinary.”

I opened my mouth, but she shushed me.

“You may speak when I’m done,” she said in a stern voice.

“Yes, sir.” I pressed my lips together.

“Even when the entire Council, all your peers and I didn’t believe you about Devlen, you persisted—an admirable quality. And you will always have people concerned about you. You haven’t seen everyone who has gathered in this small town, waiting for good news.”

“Of course, my family—”

“Hush! I’m not done. Although I didn’t know you were related to two soldiers from Fulgor. They risked a court-martial to be here. Are Nic and Eve distant cousins?” She paused to drive the point home. “I’ll address the ‘no longer a danger’ and ‘not useful’ at the same time. Because you could be both.” Zitora held my gaze, making sure I paid attention. “You could be a danger to all magicians in Sitia and you could be very useful. The question is, will you?”

“Will I what?”

“When you siphoned the magic in the room, you grabbed it all. Yelena hasn’t been healing you.”

I sat up horrified. “I stole your magic too!” Kill me now!

“No. Not at all. You didn’t touch me,” she hurried to assure me.

I collapsed on my pillows with relief.

“Sorry. I’m trying to tell you gently and not doing a good job of it.”

I gasped dramatically. “You mean you aren’t perfect!”

“Far from it.” She sat on the chair by my bed and stared at her hands. “You’re not the only one who makes mistakes.” She rubbed her stomach.

We were quiet for a moment.

“Why hasn’t Yelena been healing me?” I asked.

“She can’t. Leif earns the credit with keeping you alive. All those tonics he forced down your throat sustained you.”

“But Kade said—”

“Kade doesn’t know. No one except Leif and Yelena knows. We didn’t want to tell Leif, but he is way too smart for his own good and he guessed.”

At this point I wanted to shake her. “Know what!”

“You’re now immune to magic.”

I blinked. My mouth opened. Questions lodged in my throat. “How…” The word squeaked out. No others followed as I recalled a distant memory and answered my own question.

The last bit of magic I had channeled had been the null shield surrounding Zitora. It had come to me, but I must have collapsed before sending it through the orb.

“But I can’t access magic. I don’t know how to maintain it,” I said.

“According to Yelena, you don’t need to worry about maintaining your immunity. She wouldn’t explain why, but she said it’s a part of you like your soul. No effort required. However…”

I braced myself for horrible news.

“…you need to decide if you’re going to tell the Council. They will be upset and wary over the news, but your recent good deeds should go in your favor. As long as you don’t go rogue and turn into an assassin like Valek, the Council will have need of your immunity. Eventually, Kade and your magician friends will figure it out. Magic will no longer harm you, but it will no longer heal you, either.”

“What should I do?” I asked.

She looked up in surprise. “You want my advice?”

“Of course.”

“Don’t listen to me, Opal. I’ve messed up and ruined your life. I couldn’t even rescue you. You saved yourself.” She retuned her gaze to her lap. “Some Master Magician, I fell for Tama’s…Akako’s lies.”

“You weren’t the only one.”

She played with the fabric of her sleeve, bunching it and smoothing it over and over. Finally she looked at me. “I resigned my position.”

I sat up. “Why? Everyone was fooled—even Yelena.”

“You weren’t.”

I waved it off. “I had the unfortunate benefit of knowing Devlen before. If he hadn’t used those pressure points when disguised as Ulrick, I would have agreed.”

“Doesn’t matter. You were my student. I let my anger overrule logic by not talking to you.”

“I knew you were angry!”

A wry smile touched her lips. “You were right. Learning about your siphoning powers through Tama…Akako Moon upset me. Plus, your accusations against Ulrick sounded crazy. The Council turned to me to sort it out. So when Akako informed me of a secret mission, I knew I had lost control of the situation. To cover, I supported her claims. Her explanation made perfect sense.” She slumped in the chair.

“I was more than relieved when Yelena confirmed the impossibility of switching souls by blood magic. Then you visited…” She threw her hands up as if surrendering. “Look what happened to you.” Her arms dropped into her lap. “Everything I did was wrong. If I had listened to my heart, you would still have your glass magic. My actions harmed Sitia, not helped.”

“No. You can’t take all the blame.”

“Too late. I assumed the responsibility and resigned.” She pushed her chin out in stubborn determination.

“You’re taking the easy way out by running away.”

“I am not.”

“Lying to yourself is easy, too. I know. It’s much harder to stay and deal with consequences. The Council and other Masters will make it difficult to regain their trust.”

“The hardest part was confessing my lack of judgment. And admitting I have a blind spot. I can’t sense a null shield. I tried to hide it, but I started second-guessing myself, making matters worse.”

Did she know I had also kept information hidden?

“If you still want my advice on what you should do about your immunity, my suggestion would be to tell the Council. Thank fate, I won’t have to deal with the debate your news will trigger!” She smiled.

“What are you going to do then?” I asked.

“Oh.” She blinked as if I threw her off. She probably expected another round of arguments. “I’m going to search for my sister. Spending time with your family has made me determined to find her. Without any obligations, I can put forth my full effort.”

Zitora’s sister had taken her to the Keep over eleven years ago and then disappeared.

“Good luck,” I said.

As Kade nursed me back to health, I requested more visitors. My family filled the room with happy noises, stern lectures, embarrassing stories and lots of laughs. Mara glowed next to Leif and they announced their intentions to wed. I mouthed a silent thank-you to Mara as my mother’s intense focus turned to her.

Yelena stopped in before she left on another mission. “So nice to see color in your face again,” she said, grinning.

“I’d rather thank you than Leif. He’s going to gloat for…ever, and I’ll never be able to refuse one of his wretched potions.”

Her smile faded. “You’re going to need Leif’s expertise. I’d suggest you be extra careful from now on.”

The reality of my new situation hadn’t sunk in yet, and I was sure a whole set of interesting consequences would reveal themselves eventually. “Good thing Leif will be a member of my family.”

“Opal, he was always a member of your family. So am I and Zitora. I know we let you down with Devlen…” She shuddered. “But that’s what families do.”

“What happened with Devlen?” I asked.

“He helped me with Tama and Akako. A complete blood transfusion, using magic to keep the body alive. Nasty and painful and unnatural. I had to see it to really believe it. The second set was as bad as the first. But they’re all healthy and back to normal.”

“Swell.”

Yelena cocked an eyebrow at my sarcasm.

“What’s going to happen to them?” I asked.

“The Council needs to decide their punishments. Akako’s list of crimes spans pages. Ulrick and Devlen will go to prison.”

“Prison won’t stop them from teaching blood magic to others.” At least they couldn’t regain their magic. Unless they used my blood.

“You think they should be executed?”

“Yes and no. I don’t want them to die, but I don’t want anyone else doing blood magic, either.”

“The knowledge is out there. It can’t be stopped now. It’s just like null shields, Curare and Voids. All things to be used and abused by others. Everything has two sides. A good and a bad.”

“Including people,” I said, thinking of Ulrick and Devlen and how they had switched more than their souls. “No one is truly trustworthy.”

“I don’t agree with you. There are certain people I trust no matter what. Even when it seems like they’ve turned into monsters, you need to stay true to them. Because, in the end, they’ll be the ones backing you up.”

“Even when they believe in something impossible?”

“Especially when they believe in the impossible. A mistake I hope I won’t make again. I’m still learning that it’s all part of the relationship. Those you trust will make bad decisions and cause trouble and heartache.” She quirked a smile. “Bad decisions like not telling the Ixian authorities Tricky still had magical abilities that helped him to escape, and failing to tell the Council why he kept them when everyone else was drained of magic.”

I swallowed my weak excuse. She was right—poor judgment on my part.

“But as long as you know their intentions are trustworthy, that should be enough to support them.”

“How do you decide who you’ll give this loyalty to?” My biggest problem, knowing who to trust. “I’m sure you don’t bestow it on just anyone you meet.”

“Of course not. There are only a few who’ve proven to me that I can count on them,” Yelena said. “It’s a matter of time and experience.”

Great. My experiences have been horrible. “Who are the people you rely on?”

Her gaze grew distant. “Valek, Kiki, Leif, Ari, Janco, Irys, Moon Man, my parents and you.”

“Me?”

Yelena gave me that flat don’t-be-so-stupid look.

“Okay. Okay.” I reviewed her list of names in my mind. It was longer than mine. “I guess in time I’ll add a few more to my list.”

“Who are on your list?” she asked.

“Kade, Janco, Leif, my family and you.”

“You’re missing a few names.”

“Who?”

“Think about it.” She gestured to the bed. “You’ll have plenty of time.” She laughed. “I’d better go before Kade kicks me out for tiring you.” She waved and slipped out the door.

With nothing else to distract me, I replayed our conversation. My list had improved from before the events in Hubal. I would have to trust Yelena’s assertion of time and experience and expect to add more names as I dealt with the next round of trouble.

Nic and Eve stopped by before leaving for Fulgor.

Nic explained what happened in Fulgor after Akako’s deception had been revealed. “Captain Alden couldn’t believe the message at first. If it hadn’t come from First Magician, he might have consulted the Councilor…the impostor and ruined the surprise attack. We stormed the Councilor’s Hall.” Nic punched a fist into his other hand. “They didn’t know what hit them. We nabbed Gressa first. She tried to sneak out through the tunnel. The impostor hid under her office desk.” Nic snorted with disdain.

“The whole city’s changed,” Eve said.

“The citizens are giddy with relief. Lots of drunk-and-disorderly-conduct charges,” Nic added.

“Nic and I volunteered to escort the impostor here so the Soulfinder could switch her back.” She folded her arms. “And we wanted to check on our charge, who did not go to Chandra like she said.”

“You weren’t supposed to follow me.” I tried, but twin stern expressions aimed at me. I felt instantly guilty. “Um…aren’t you supposed to be back in Fulgor?”

“Not until we were sure of your survival,” Nic said. “Do you know how much trouble we’d be in if you were assassinated on our watch?”

“But my condition is my fault. No one harmed me,” I said.

“You planned all this?” Eve asked.

“Not really, but—”

“Suspect’s story is changing—we should haul her ass in for further questioning,” Nic said.

“We’d need more backup and rain gear. Otherwise we won’t get her past the Stormdancer.”

Nic scowled. “All right, Opal. We’ll let you go with a warning. This time. However, if you come to Fulgor again, you’re to check in with us. Understand?”

“Yes, sir.” I felt like I should salute. He was serious.

“And if you need assistance on another one of your…adventures, send us a message. We’ll be there,” Eve said.

By their posture and demeanor I knew they would keep their promise. “Thank you, I will.” I shook both their hands and the mood lightened.

“We’d better go and face the Captain’s wrath,” Nic said.

“I’ll bet you two silvers he gives us the ‘Chain of Command’ lecture,” Eve said.

“No way. That’s a given. I’ll bet four silvers he says, ‘Don’t delay, just obey,’ five times.”

“You’re on. He’ll never say it five times. You’re so going to lose.”

The two soldiers continued their banter as they left. I wondered if Yelena referred to them when she had mentioned more names for my list. Remorse filled me as I thought of how I had started a friendship with Eve just to gain her confidence and gather information.

I huffed. Two sides to my relationship with Eve—one good and one bad. But I had the choice for next time, and I could atone for my deceit by being an honest friend.

This simple realization dispelled the crushing guilt I had carried with me since I had pricked Yelena with Curare over six years ago. It didn’t matter that she forgave me, I needed to forgive myself. To know there would be terrible times, but I could balance those out or even tip the scales by my actions.

It was all a part of being trustworthy—of being a piece of sea glass. High tides, low tides, storms, sand and mistakes all contributed to the polishing process. Though difficult to endure at the time, the demanding elements helped smooth the surface, transforming one into a better person, not worse. A person who learned from the harsh environment, who knew the storm would end, and who felt confident she would still be in one piece.

Janco swaggered through my door with his usual smug smile. “I’m not supposed to be here. Kade has you on a strict one-visitor-a-day diet.”

He settled into the chair with an athletic grace. No bruises or cuts marred his face. Even though the smile remained, a shadow lurked in his eyes.

“Janco, I’m sor—”

“Don’t you dare say it.” He poked my arm with a finger. “My choice to help you. My fault for being caught. No regrets. I’d do it again without thought.” He cocked his head to the side and scratched his scarred ear. “Which isn’t that big of a revelation. Ari says I do everything without thought.” He shrugged. “Thinking is overrated.”

“How about I throw myself at your feet and pledge my undying gratitude?”

“Better, but how about plain old gratitude? Undying sounds creepy. Like it would live on after you’re gone. Ghost gratitude. Too much like magic.” He grimaced. “Now I have another reason to hate magic.”

His gloominess lasted a second before he hopped to his feet. He bowed with mock formality. “If you should need aid again, send me a D-I-D call.”

“I will.”

Finally given permission to travel after a total of twenty-five days in Hubal, I packed my saddlebags. It was the first day of the cooling season. Kade needed to be on the coast and I needed to make a decision. Should I tell the Council about my immunity or not? What would I do if I didn’t tell them? How would I be useful if I did inform them? Questions without answers chased their tails in my mind.

A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts and I shouted, “Come in,” without checking who was on the other side, my confidence due to the knowledge everyone had been arrested.

However, there were gaps in my knowledge. Not everyone dwelled in a locked cell. The door swung open and Devlen entered my room.

Instinct caused me to reach for my sais, but I stopped when I met his gaze. Ulrick’s soul no longer lurked behind those blue eyes. Devlen had tied his long hair back. The dark features of his strong face held concern.

“I’m surprised you haven’t been arrested,” I said.

“Me, too.” Standing by the door, he kept his distance. “The Council is discussing my future.”

“And they didn’t incarcerate you while they debated?” A slight, peevish annoyance crept into my tone. He’d used blood magic and could again, yet he remained free. I calmed my ire with the reminder of Akako’s dishonest influence on the Councilors at the time of my trial.

“Yelena spoke for me.”

“Why?”

He smiled in self-deprecation. “Because I tortured her with pressure points.”

“Not funny.” I waited.

Devlen rubbed his arms as if warding off a sudden chill. “When she helped…transfer my soul, she examined me. I never felt so…vulnerable. Every facet of me—my desires, needs and beliefs were exposed. Helpless, I saw them all in their raw form. Not pretty.”

“Being helpless and in pain is never pretty.” From the distress on his face, I knew he realized how much I’d suffered at his hands.

He hugged his arms tighter. “She returned me to my body and—” he pushed one of his sleeves up “—purged the ink and blood from my skin.” He ran a finger along his muscle as if he still didn’t believe it belonged to him. “I expected to be arrested, but she claimed my efforts to help you and Zitora went in my favor. I will probably have to spend a few years in prison for my prior deeds.” He let his arms drop. “I plan to cooperate fully.”

“How did you help Zitora?”

Devlen shrugged. “It was not much. I was the only one conscious after you siphoned the others. I put pressure on Zitora’s wound to staunch the blood, but she struggled to heal herself and was close to losing the battle. I acted on instinct. Scooping up a handful of your diamonds, I poured them into her palm and held her fingers around them. Her powers are impressive.”

The diamonds were charged with magic. He saved her life. The effort must have sapped her strength. He could have escaped.

“Then what happened?” I asked.

“When I was sure she would live, I checked on you. No signs of life.” The memory of horror touched his eyes before fading. “When I did find a pulse it was barely there. I freed Janco, and we ran for help.”

He could have run away. I pushed away the dreadful memories of him and considered his deeds since we returned from Ixia. He’d had plenty of opportunities to disappear.

“Why did you stay?”

He shot me an incredulous look. “I told you before.”

To protect me. “But why?”

“To make amends.”

He had decided long ago what I just figured out. Not to let guilt rule him by atoning for his past actions.

“I know you will never forgive me, but this way I can live with myself.”

I gaped at him. A response bubbled and popped in my throat. Could I forgive him? It would take time and experience. “Never say never.”

He laughed. “A glimmer of hope.” With a hitch in his step, he walked toward me. “I have something for you.”

Pleased I didn’t flinch as he neared, I asked, “Did you get hurt?” I gestured to his leg.

“No. I have to get…used to this body again. I am taller than Ulrick.”

And the scar on his neck gave him a rugged, handsome appearance, adding to his lean and muscular build. With the tattoos gone, I wondered how he looked without a shirt. I berated myself for my thoughts. At one time, his visage haunted me.

He handed me a narrow box. “Go on. Open it.”

I lifted the lid, revealing a black leather holder. Inside the sheath was a pearl-handled switchblade. Palming the weapon, I pressed the button. The blade shot out with hardly a sound.

“It is crafted by the Bloodgoods using the finest steel,” Devlen said. “You can clip the holder to a belt or strap it around your arm or thigh.”

I examined the metal blade. Symbols had been etched into the steel. “What are these?”

He grinned with devious glee. “Ixian battle symbols. Janco helped me with them.”

“Janco? Are you friends now?”

He laughed. “Hardly. But he claimed he would suffer my presence since I no longer had magic.”

Sounded like Janco. I brandished the weapon. “What do they say?”

“I am not telling you. You will have to ask your annoying Ixian friend.” He turned serious for a moment. “If I am going to be spending time in the Fulgor prison, I will not be around to help you. With your tendency to find trouble, I wanted you to have a sturdy blade.”

“I’ll ignore the trouble remark and just thank you for the gift. Besides, I’ve been training. I’m not so easy to beat anymore.”

He touched my arm. “You never were easy. Not even when you were fourteen.”

My mouth felt dry. When did he get so close?

“I had men sobbing in less than two hours. You lasted days. I admired your resistance and tenacity. Later in Ixia, I admired your intelligence and resourcefulness. Even disguised as Ulrick and with the addiction to blood magic burning inside me, I never pretended with you.”

“But—”

He pressed his fingertips to my mouth. The heat from them spread throughout my body. “My feelings toward you were genuine. Those days we were together as a couple were the happiest of my life.”

I swallowed a lump of dust. He replaced his hand with his lips and kissed me. Devlen stopped before I could…what? Kiss him back? Push him away?

“I have not made enough amends. So expect to see me again.” He trailed his fingers along my arm and squeezed my hand as if swearing an oath. Turning, he left without saying another word.

I groped for a chair. Sinking into the cushions, I struggled to understand my conflicting emotions. An epiphany failed to settle the questions. Time and experience would have to suffice for now. However, Kade’s arrival helped banish the confusion to another part of my mind where I could dwell on it later.

He glanced around. “You haven’t finished yet. Opal, I know you don’t like to pack, but—”

I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and kissed him.

He smiled. “If you’re trying to avoid pack—”

I covered his mouth with mine and didn’t let him speak for a long long time.

He pulled away. “What was that for?”

“To thank you for saving my life.”

“Not me. Yelena—”

“Not exactly. Leif earns the credit for keeping me alive. You deserve a kiss for giving me a reason to eat.”

“How romantic. Is that how you’re going to introduce me? ‘Councilor Greenblade, I’d like you to meet the man who gives me a reason to eat.’”

“Sounds like a plan.” I sorted through my meager possessions, packing what I needed for the trip.

“Wait a minute. Did you say Leif gets the credit?”

“Yes.” I explained about my immunity.

He frowned, mulling over the information. “Zitora said you sacrificed your magic for her, but she didn’t mention anything else.”

“She’s letting me decide who to tell. Right now you, me, Yelena and Leif are the only ones.”

“Who else will you tell?” Kade asked.

“For now, no one.”

“What are you going to do next?”

Decide what to tell the Council, figure out my role in Sitia, deal with my mother and try to become comfortable with the idea of Devlen being one of the good guys.

Instead of listing all my future problems, I focused on the man in front of me.

“Next, I’m going surfing. I know this handsome Stormdancer, and he promised to teach me.”

Kade grinned. “I thought you were afraid of the water.”

“Not anymore.”