“Look, I’ll go first,” his brother said.
Sure enough, Kien plopped down on the rail, grinned, and slid all the way down. Ralan sighed. If he didn’t follow, Kien would give him endless grief about it, and that would be worse than any scolding.
Ralan sat on the smooth banister, closed his eyes, and shoved off. Despite his annoyance, the rush brought a smile to his face.
A smile that ended as the vision slammed into him. Kien darting from the room. His mother storming across the entry a heartbeat later.
Ralan’s hip connected painfully with the end of the bannister, startling a cry from his lips as his eyes popped open on the present. And the sight of his mother opening the door to the entry.
A dull pain entered Ralan’s awareness as his vision hazed and cleared again. Gasping for air, he forced his fingers to uncurl. He glanced down to see the half-moon indentions of his fingernails reddening his palm. Then he looked at the bowl of mingled blood. He’d heard the spell sometimes caused random images—but not full visions.
His mouth went dry at the reminder of that day. Even then, Kien had played unpleasant games. But they had been brothers. After the betrayal, Ralan had forced aside such painful memories. That vision on the banister had been the first time Ralan had Seen the future. When his mother had stormed over and started to berate him, not noticing his shock, Kien had come back to charm away her anger as he sometimes did. Of course, Kien had left him hanging just as often. Ralan had never known what to expect from his brother.
But when had Kien started to hate him?
With trembling hands, Ralan lifted the bowl and swirled the blood to better blend it. Gods, what a fucked-up mess. To have to hunt his own brother… Even when he’d first discovered Kien plotting with Kenaren, he’d taken the matter to his father. He hadn’t dreamed of handling it himself. Now, Ralan had no choice.
He would have to kill his own brother.
He muttered the words to the seeking spell, and his heart gave a thud as it snapped into place. Suddenly, he could feel the pull, an inner compass that would lead to Kien. But that was all—no dark and twisted thoughts or demented fragments of his brother. Ralan heaved a sigh of relief as he tucked the vial of blood into the compartment in his pack.
All he had left was clean-up.
After a stroll through her backyard, Cora scanned the area around her with her magic. Satisfied that no one was watching, she ducked into the small grove of trees at the back of her property. She usually visited the portal at night, but she needed the soothing touch of her homeland’s energy after so much stress.
When she reached the small depression in the side of the hill, Cora lifted her hand. The portal flared to life, the light duller in the light of day, and she stretched her fingers as close as she dared. Energy poured into her until she moaned. Ah, how she missed the power of her home!
“Cora.”
Her hand jerked as her father’s voice streamed into her mind for the first time in decades. “Papa?”
“Come home.”
“I can’t,” she said. “You know I can’t.”
“I would have never sought the crown had I known it would lead to your loss.” Sadness beyond words tinged his tone. “I do not care that Orn is king, Cora.”
“He’s cruel. He has sent many after me, and they have not all been kind. You know this.”
Surely her mother had told him.
“Orn wed yesterday eve. Our families are at peace.”
Cora frowned at that news. Time passed differently in the two realms, and she’d never devised a reliable way to calculate it. Had it really been that long for them, or had the wedding taken place unusually quickly? The sick feeling in her gut told her that Orn wasn’t finished bothering her regardless.
“We’ll see,” she merely answered. “There are other things that hold me here right now.”
“You have bonded to that place.”
“No.”
“Your energy is different,” her father said. “As though you’ve merged with another source.”
Her breath caught. Could he sense her bond with Ralan so readily? The soulbond was similar to the connection her people made to the energy fields of other lands. Her power twined with the magic of a location in just such an unbreakable way. Cora lifted her free hand to her lips as a new thought struck her.
It was her fault.
Her magic must have reached for Ralan and created the bond he’d assumed would only form with a spell. The process was all too similar.
“Cora?”
“I have to go,” she sent in a rush. “I’m well. Just…I need to go. I love you.”
“I love you always,” her father answered.
Cora tugged her hand away and stumbled back. The portal quieted, but her pulse raced at her revelation. Would Ralan be angry? He’d made it more than clear that he’d had no intention of bonding with his life so uncertain. And it was all her fault. To think she had been upset at him.
Her stomach clenched as she rushed from the grove and across the yard to the porch. When she entered the kitchen, the door to her workroom was still closed. Groaning at the wait, Cora opened the refrigerator and stared blankly inside. What would Ralan even want to eat? They’d shared a few meals during the search, but not enough to give her a clear idea.
She was bonded to him, and she didn’t even know his favorite foods. She didn’t know his favorite anything. What a mess. Cora leaned her forehead against the cool edge of the refrigerator door. With all of the danger surrounding him, there was no guarantee she would be able to find out. Sighing, she shoved back and peered at the food once more. Worrying wouldn’t help. She needed to do something.
Finally, she settled on a chicken and vegetable stir fry—in no small part because it gave her an excuse to chop things. She busied herself with cleaning the vegetables and then arranging the spices and supplies on her small counter. If she didn’t do something with this nervous energy, she would be cooking the food with her bare hands instead of a pan. Her magic already wanted to surge out of her control.
When Ralan emerged, Cora was almost done. The spatula scraped against the pan from her frantic movements, and she fought to control the panic that leapt within her as she sensed his presence. When his hand settled on the small of her back, she jumped.
“I thought you weren’t worried about the spell’s effect on me,” he said.
Cora moved the pan off the stove and spun to face him. His hand shifted to her waist, low and intimate, and she swallowed. “I wasn’t. I’m not.”
“You’re acting like I’m going to devour you.” His lips twisted. “And not in a good way.”
“It’s my fault,” she blurted.
Both of his brows rose at that. “What’s your fault?”
“The bond.”
His other hand cupped her face. “It was an accident. No one is to blame.”
“I don’t think that’s true.” She settled her own hand alongside his. “I didn’t think about this, but…my people bond to places. To different kinds of energy. When your medallion pressed between us, my magic must have triggered the spell. I’m sorry, Ralan.”
Her heart thundered at his frown. But after a moment he relaxed, and a smile crossed his lips. “I’m not.”
Cora blinked. “What?”
“From the moment I saw your face in my vision, I wanted you.” One corner of his mouth tipped higher. “The goddess chided me for my lack of attention, in fact. I might not have chosen this time to begin our bond, but I don’t regret it.”
Suddenly, she knew what it meant for her heart to melt. To turn over. Cora stepped closer, her arms going around his waist, and lowered her head to his chest. He settled her snugly against him, their hearts and spirits for once in accord. Neither of them knew what was going to happen in the future.
But she would always have this moment.
Inona stomped over to the trash can, a tray of charred food balanced in her hands.
“How could you burn c
orn dogs?” Delbin asked, and she wanted to smack him at the humor in his tone.
“I was arranging the others most carefully.” Inona tipped her chin up and tried not to blush as she dumped the ruined food into the garbage. “Meg said I should include around twenty fries. After I finished counting and placing the cooked corn dogs with the proper amount, I’d forgotten about the ones cooking. At least those baskets have been completed properly.”
“Yeah, but—” Delbin’s breath huffed out on a laugh. “Never mind. We’ll straighten it out.”
Inona stiffened as smooth voice broke through. “Just the two people I was looking for. Kien said I’d find you here.”
She pivoted, her hand darting into her pocket for the knife concealed within. A pale, familiar-looking man leaned against the back corner of the food stall. Though his gaze flicked to her pocket, he didn’t bother to uncross his arms as he smirked at them. Inona sent out a tendril of energy in a quick scan, but she recoiled at his dark magic.
A blood elf.
“Who are you?” she demanded.
The man’s smirk widened, and she caught a hint of fang. “A friend, if you’ll let me be. I’m surprised you don’t remember me.”
A memory flashed into her mind. The cave. He’d been slumped against a stalagmite, drained after Delbin had shattered the energy poisoning spell. This was the mage who’d been working with Kien. But he’d claimed to be finished with the prince and hadn’t done anything to stop them. Whose side was he on now?
“I remember,” Delbin said from beside her. “And if you’ve aligned with Kien once more, then we’ve no interest in your friendship.”
“He believes me to be an ally.” The elf straightened. “The truth is more complex.”
Inona’s hand tightened around the hilt of her knife. “What do you want?”
“Your help.”
At a mental nudge from Delbin, she opened her thoughts to him. “What?”
“Ralan said this would happen, didn’t he? There’s something important about this guy.”
“Yeah,” Inona grumbled. “I imagine getting us alone is really important to Kien’s people. I don’t trust him. Ralan did not indicate that we should.”
Delbin’s lips quirked. “Well, I don’t think Ralan left us behind just to tell the guy to go to hell.”
“Have you reached a consensus yet?” the elf asked, obviously not missing their mental conversation. “I need to return to Kien if my plan is to work.”
Inona glanced around. “This is not a good place to talk.”
The door on the back of the food stall opened, and Meg poked her head out. “We’re getting a line. Are you two done goofing off?”
“Sorry. We’ll be right there,” Delbin said. As soon as Meg ducked back inside, he pinned the stranger with a look. “We have an hour left in this shift. Look for the striped tent at the end of the fairway. That’s the staff tent, and it’ll be marked. Meet us there when we’re done. If you can’t wait that long, then forget it.”
“I’ll be there,” the elf said.
Inona scowled at him as she followed Delbin back to the stall. From what she knew, blood elves weren’t necessarily evil, but they were dangerous. He smirked again and gave a quick, mocking salute as she passed. No way she was going to trust him.
Chapter 18
Cora smiled as Ralan set a plate of stir fry in front of her. Odd to be served by a prince. But he’d insisted on doing so since she’d cooked, and she was still shaky. Why argue? she thought as he sat across from her at her small kitchen table with his own plate. Then her smile faded. Her own worry might have distracted him, but she could tell by his pallor that the blood spell had taken its toll.
“Are you okay? Did it work?”
“It did.” A hint of grief reached her through their bond as Ralan picked up his fork. But he didn’t attempt to take a bite. “I feel fully myself. It’s just that the spell brought a vision. Of the past, that is. A memory from my youth.”
Cora winced at that. She might be an only child, but she could imagine the turmoil of having to hunt down a family member. “I’m sorry.”
“I could have done without the reminder.” Sighing, Ralan stabbed a piece of chicken with his fork. “It’s easier to think of him as another enemy, a madman who needs to be stopped. Much harder to think of him as normal, if a bit mischievous.”
“I’m assuming he was a troublemaker.”
“Unrepentant,” Ralan answered. “I guess that says it all, doesn’t it?”
They ate a few bites in silence. What could she possibly say to comfort him? She had no idea, but she had to try something. “Do you want to talk about it?”
Ralan canted his head, considering. Finally, he shook his head. “Not while the blood spell is so fresh. Though I’m unharmed, it was an uneasy process.”
“Will you be able to track him?” Her hand tightened around her fork. “I’m worried about Maddy. Her dad called earlier and said her energy is still strong, but there’s no telling what she’s going through physically.”
“I know, and I’m sorry.” Ralan’s lips turned down, and his shoulders drooped. “We need a plan to go after him.”
Cora popped another bite of food in her mouth and forced herself to eat it before she spoke again. “It feels strange to be sharing a meal right now. Like we should be moving instead of just sitting here. I wish I’d made something portable so we could be on the road.”
Ralan stretched his free hand across the table and tangled his fingers with hers. “The journey ahead will be difficult, love. Gaining strength is not a waste of time.”
Though warmth trickled through her at the endearment, she didn’t let herself dwell on it. “I know.”
Abruptly, his hand jerked against hers, and his eyes went wide and a little glazed. Cora stilled, afraid to disturb him in case he was having another vision. But after a moment, he let out a soft curse and focused on her once more. She lifted a brow in question.
“Delbin just contacted me.” Ralan pulled his hand free and pushed his chair back with a scrape. “I hope you’re almost full. One of Kien’s lackeys approached them, as I’d seen in my vision. They’re supposed to meet soon, and Delbin isn’t inclined to wait for us.”
Cora shot to her feet. “Are they in danger?”
“I don’t know.” Ralan huffed out a breath. “It didn’t seem so in my vision, but we both know how reliable that is. I’d prefer to be near them during the meeting just in case.”
As Ralan ducked into her workroom for his backpack, Cora grabbed their plates and carried them to the sink. She eyed the pan on the stove. She hated to leave a mess, but it couldn’t be avoided. After a quick check to make sure she’d turned off the burner, Cora tossed one last frown at the dishes and headed from the room.
Ralan followed close on her heels as she snatched her purse from the living room table. She ushered him out the front door before locking it behind them. Then once again, they rushed to her car. With luck, traffic wouldn’t be too bad. She looked at her watch and winced.
Lots and lots of luck.
Delbin ambled along the fairway, Inona’s hand in his, and forced a slight smile to his lips. People surged around them, quite a few for a Sunday evening. He tried not to look too closely at any of them, hoping to appear casual. It wouldn’t matter if he missed anything. Inona was the expert, and he trusted her to catch sight of anyone giving them undue attention.
Tomorrow was the last day of the carnival. Then Tuesday, they’d pack it all up and move to a new location an hour on the other side of town, toward Knoxville. Delbin had begun to worry about that, so for him, it was a relief that Kien’s contact had found them today. But Inona’s reserve told him she did not agree.
“You know we need to do this,” he said into her mind.
Her hand tightened on his. “I know. But you have already been injured once. If this is a trap, they might attack you again.”
“I’ll try not to do something stupid this time.”
> “Please,” Inona grumbled.
A quick grin crossed his lips and then faded. He wouldn’t attempt to be a hero, but he was more than ready to send a mental blast into the mind of any who tried to hurt them. They’d caught him unawares last time, and he’d strengthened his mind magic while working with Ralan. Delbin had spent a great deal of time since considering what he could have done differently.
The staff tent came into sight. Sure enough, the blood elf waited over to the side, focusing on them as they neared. An insolent smile lit his face, and Delbin lifted his chin in return, refusing to be cowed. He’d seen this mage crumpled in the cave, energy drained, and though he’d clearly regained his strength, Delbin wasn’t intimidated.
“Hey!” Delbin said, filling his voice with false cheer for any who might be listening. “How about we take a walk away from all this noise? I want to hear what you’ve been up to all this time.”
Expression inscrutable, the elf nodded. “Sure.”
They circled the tent and headed toward a small stand of trees near the edge of the property. As they passed the area where Kien had once confronted Delbin, he couldn’t help but look around warily. But this time, there was no sign of the dark prince. Delbin’s attention shifted to the mage, who walked quietly beside him.
“What have you been up to lately?” Delbin asked, mindful of their proximity to the tent.
The elf’s brow quirked, but he answered. “Looking for a new place to stay. Until recently.”
“Sounds exciting.”
“I’m sure you can guess.”
Delbin grinned at that. “Considering when I last saw you, yeah.”
Silence fell between them until they reached the small grove. Delbin let go of Inona’s hand and leaned casually against one of the trees, his arms crossed. The mage echoed the gesture, but Inona stood at the ready. Delbin had no doubt her hand was wrapped around the hilt of her knife in its resting place within her pocket.
“What was that all about?” the elf asked.
Delbin shrugged. “I didn’t want to look suspicious. Most of my co-workers are humans and wouldn’t understand. They’ll probably think I’m buying drugs or something anyway.”
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