Lyr flicked a glance at the healer. “I’m surprised that Lial didn’t check with you if he thought I’d been injured. It seems that would have saved us all some grief.”
“I…” A flush crept up Lial’s neck, and he rubbed a hand across the telling color. “I have endeavored not to disturb Lady Lynia of late.”
In the sudden silence, Selia stepped forward. “I’m afraid it’s my fault. Or, rather, Iren’s. Even at eleven years, he is difficult to get to bed. I’d intended to warn the others after Lynia, but he distracted me.”
“I was much the same at that age,” Lyr said, smiling. “I was too distracted to notify everyone, myself.”
Lial flicked an inscrutable glance at Lynia and then straightened. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll go get some rest. We all should.”
With a nod, Lyr slumped back against his seat. “Excellent advice.”
Too bad Lyr had too much work to take it.
Chapter 25
Dawn light sifted through the trees and gleamed against the white robes of the Ljósálfar as they stood in the clearing before the portal. But this time, Meli waited with Lyr, Arlyn, and Kai. As a dark-haired Moranaian female gave the Ljósálfar instructions on the crossing, Meli’s gaze darted around the space, and she frowned. Hadn’t this clearing been smaller when they arrived?
With a tentative mental brush, she got Lyr’s attention. “Have I lost my senses, or are there fewer trees?”
“Kai believed there would be more survivors on his last mission, so we broadened the space.” Lyr’s fingers twined with hers. “Would you like to say something to the group before they depart?”
“I’d like to speak to Pol.” Meli peered at the group. Only the white-robed women were present. “But where is he?”
A movement caught her eye a moment before Pol strode into the clearing, customary smirk twisting his lips. “Wondering about me?”
“I wanted to thank you,” she said. “I’m not certain why you helped me, but you have my appreciation.”
“Alfheim has grown more stagnant than is wise, and you and your mate will surely bring about needed change. Getting the jump on Freyr by solving this? That’s more than reward enough.” Pol leaned close, and his voice dropped to the barest whisper. “I count you and Lyr as friends, by the way. And my friends call me Loki.”
With a laugh, he ran past the Ljósálfar and darted through the portal. Meli stared after him, a hard lump forming in her throat. By all the gods, she had argued with Loki. And lived. He’d called her a friend. Her mouth worked, but no sound came out.
Beside her, Lyr shook his head. “I knew he was no Ljósálfar, but I hadn’t guessed he was a god.”
The others stood by the portal gate, expressions caught in various levels of surprise as they stared after Pol. Then an odd gleam entered the ambassador’s eyes, and her lips curved up. She gestured to Berris and Orena, and they proceeded to the arch behind the Moranaian guide. At the last moment, Lady Teronver spun around, and her grin widened.
“Meli. I almost forgot.”
A tingle of apprehension swept through Meli. “Forgot what?”
The spell slammed into her, quick and deadly. Her meager shields shredded in an instant. As Meli began to fall, her vision faded to black.
Lyr’s breath rushed out, and he almost doubled over at the odd, icy pain that swept in along his connection to Meli. He gasped as the feeling faded, replaced by an emptiness more terrifying than the pain. Heart pounding, he spun to see Arlyn lowering Meli’s still form to the grass. Fury rose, choking him, and Lyr pulled his knife from its sheath.
When he glanced toward the portal, his eyes widened to see Berris holding Lady Teronver immobile, the warrior’s own knife pressed to the ambassador’s neck. Lyr took a step forward, his grip tightening on the hilt of his blade. But neither he nor Berris had a chance to act. Color draining from her face, Teronver went still.
“Pol,” she gasped out. Then her eyes rolled back, and she whispered one last word. “Hel.”
The ambassador’s body went limp. Berris lowered her to the ground, and Orena knelt to search Teronver for signs of life. Face pale, Berris glanced up. “Dead. Just…gone.”
Lyr’s chest squeezed tight, the ache almost as bad as a wound. He dropped to his knees beside Meli, his fingers going to her neck. Though the restriction in his chest eased at the feel of her steady pulse, he could tell something was seriously wrong. Her skin was cool, her breathing a bare wisp. He gripped her hands, willing her to wake. Even the connection between them seemed lessened. Muted.
“Father?”
His gaze flicked to Arlyn, who knelt on Meli’s other side. “She is alive, but only barely.”
“Where’s Lial?”
Lyr searched the clearing before his dazed mind recalled the healer’s location—with the Neorans in their camp. He lifted Meli’s limp body in his arms and then glanced at Kai and the sonal ringing the Ljósálfar. “Detain them while I seek care for Lady Meli. Respectfully, as they are not yet prisoners.”
Without another word, he set off at a run for the Neoran camp, a couple of guards falling in behind. A blessedly short distance, for his fear seemed to grow with every footfall. He sent a mental call to the healer to be prepared moments before he broke through the magical barrier surrounding the camp.
The glow of power was just fading from his hands as Lial pulled away from a woman asleep on a small cot. “I’m doing a healing. What…” The healer’s eyes grew large as he saw Meli, and he rushed over to an empty cot. “Here. What happened?”
“I don’t know.” Lyr stretched her out gently and sank down beside her. “The ambassador turned back at the gate and cast some spell. Meli collapsed.”
Lial wasted no time, the blue glow lighting from his hands as he held them over Meli’s head. The power spread as it flowed around her entire body. But when it faded, she still didn’t wake. “Her body is fine. There is no physical damage,” Lial said.
“Then why is she unconscious?”
“I’m…” The healer glared. “I’m not sure. I think something is holding her spirit removed from her body. But I know of nothing that can do that.”
Lyr’s heart pounded. His connection to her was growing gradually but alarmingly weaker. “Can you fix it?”
Lial shook his head, his scowl deepening. “No. I don’t even know what it is. Perhaps Ralan can reach her. Or maybe Lady Selia can identify the spell used.”
With a quick thanks to the healer, Lyr bundled Meli in his arms once more and began the race back to the estate. He’d never counted the length of the walk before, but every moment that passed seemed an eternity. He sent a frantic call to Ralan and Selia to meet him in his bedroom, not caring if they found the request strange. But then, the seer should know what was happening. He seemed to know everything else.
If no one else could fix what was wrong, perhaps the energy of Eradisel would help. Lyr darted through the halls and up the stairs in a blinding rush. And prayed to whichever god would listen as he placed Meli on his bed. Her pale blond hair stretched across his pillow as he’d dreamed it would, but nothing else was similar. Instead of desire, he was filled with soul-deep fear.
Ralan entered first, the shock on his face in no way comforting. “What happened?”
“You mean you don’t know?” Lyr sat on the bed next to Meli. “Or are you being predictably vague?”
Eyes flashing, the prince came to a halt in the middle of the room. “I don’t deserve that. When I last looked at the strands of the futures, I saw no sign of harm to her. I truly do not know.”
“Sorry.” Lyr forced a few deep breaths through his clenched teeth. “My anger isn’t for you. The ambassador cast some spell at Meli, and Lial can’t help.”
Before Ralan could ask for more details, Selia knocked on the door, and Lyr called for her to enter. She rushed in, her brow puckered in confusion. “Selia. I will explain to you both.”
Lyr recounted the scene by the portal, trying to examine each
detail. But no new observation came to mind. When he was finished, Selia and Ralan looked perplexed. Selia shifted to the side of the bed to stand next to Meli, her eyes meeting his. The concern he saw only heightened his fear.
“I’ll see if I can find the spell to blame.”
Unlike with the healer, Lyr saw no sign of Selia’s power. But he sensed it, a gentle buzzing that stood his arm hairs on end. Lyr stilled out of instinct, not wanting to disturb her work in any way. Only when her power faded and she opened her eyes did he realize that he’d been holding his breath.
Selia’s eyes sparked with rage. “I found it. A nasty piece, built of magics from ages long past, even for our kind. It’s a death curse, designed to sever the soul from the body. But it wasn’t completed.”
He thought back to the scene in the clearing. “Berris must have stopped her. Or Pol. Can you reverse it?”
“I’m not sure. This isn’t something I know much about.” Selia frowned down at Meli. “You might try bonding with her so her spirit doesn’t slip away.”
Bonding? Lyr recoiled at the suggestion, nausea rising. “I cannot do such a thing without her permission. Especially since she has said she is unsure of the bond.”
“Kai did it,” Ralan said from the foot of the bed. “Arlyn forgave him.”
“Arlyn was conscious and had the choice to reject the necklace.” Bile almost choked him. “It’s not the same.”
Selia’s shoulder’s drooped, and she nodded. “You’re right. I’ll see what I can do before we consider it. Consent should be given, most especially for a bond. I’ll need a seat, for this is likely to take some time.”
Wordlessly, Ralan pulled a chair over. Selia sank into it and closed her eyes. As the energy built once more, there was nothing for Lyr to do but wait. “Can you see what happens from this?” he sent to Ralan.
“Somewhat.” Ralan sat gingerly on the end of the bed, his gaze on Meli. “There are so many possible futures that it’s hard to untangle. I don’t understand it. None of this was possible yesterday. I saw the ambassador leave. What could have spurred her to this?”
“Nothing happened when Meli and I gathered her things that would warrant this. And Lady Teronver had no chance to see her again, because Meli and I went for a hike…” Lyr’s breath hitched. “Could she have seen us leave? She already blamed Meli for the failure of her mission. Perhaps seeing us together tipped her over the edge.”
Ralan shrugged. “She can hardly tell us. Things are unlikely to go well with Alfheim after this. Though the gods in play can change the future possibilities widely.”
They watched the mage work in silence for a moment before Ralan spoke to him again. “Why did you call for me?”
“You are the strongest in mind-magic I know. Lial said you might be able to reach her.”
Ralan went silent, his golden eyes distant. Searching the futures? Lyr didn’t want to know. Then the prince blinked and nodded. “If I work with Selia, it will help.”
The seer’s eyes closed, and his mind blocked to communication. Time dripped, and tension mounted. Lyr wanted to enfold Meli in his arms or at least hold her hand, but he was afraid to touch her. Or to even move. With no understanding of what Selia and Ralan were doing, he could interfere. Lyr clenched his hands together to keep from touching her.
When Meli’s eyes shot open, he almost jumped. Selia and Ralan hadn’t moved, and energy swirled the same as before. Her pale gaze met his with confusion. “Lyr? Where am I?”
“My room.”
“Moranaia?” She glanced around in surprise. “This isn’t the world I left.”
Even his breath stilled. What did she mean? “You recall me but not the journey here?”
“No, I…” Her eyes widened. “Did Arlyn find you?”
His chest began to burn, and he pulled in a gasp of air. “You were with her in the clearing. I don’t understand.”
Her hands gripped the blanket beneath her. “There’s more to me now, as I knew there’d be. I’m pulled to her. To you. We are.”
As abruptly as she’d spoken, her eyes slid closed and her body went limp. But Lyr found himself so tense he might snap at a touch. The way she’d looked at him, the way she’d spoken—for a moment, Aimee had stared at him through Meli’s eyes. How was it possible? Did time vary so widely on Alfheim that she’d grown to adulthood, reborn, in just a few Earth years?
Yet so much made sense. Because they hadn’t bonded in her first life, her soul could have returned whole, never blended with his. It explained his second chance. It explained his dreams of Aimee roaming through the Veil. He glanced at Eradisel, remembering the tree’s assurance that Aimee was not there. Did She know?
Lyr’s gaze returned to Meli’s still form as his emotions tumbled within him. Aimee reborn. But she wasn’t Aimee. She was Meli, and he liked her as she was. How could he possibly separate the two now? In a strange sense, he wanted them both. No, that wasn’t quite true. He’d come to love Meli’s quiet serenity, though he hoped she’d get past her self-doubt. But that in itself seemed a betrayal of his first love.
Before anything, any consideration, they had to save her. Uncaring now, he reached out and took her hand. If she could wake without disturbing Selia and Ralan, then surely that would have no effect.
When her eyes opened again, everything within him froze. But the gaze that met his was somehow different than the first time she’d awakened. “I’m alive? She didn’t kill me?”
“Who?” he asked hesitantly, uncertain who was speaking.
“Teronver. That spell…” Meli’s voice trailed off, and her eyes seemed to go heavy before she forced them open. “Who is the male who kept calling to me?”
His muscles eased with something like relief, though the feeling made no sense. “Ralan. Do you remember waking before?”
Her face scrunched. “Before? I…There is something, but…”
“Don’t worry about it.” Lyr squeezed her hand. “How do you feel?”
“I think I’m slipping back again.”
Before he could answer, she pulled her hand free and reached for the pendant around her neck. Meli struggled to pull the netting loose from her hair, but in a moment, it was in her hand. “Take this.”
“Don’t give up.” His heart seized. “We will keep trying.”
She gripped the chain tighter. “No, take it. And save me.”
When light flared from the necklace, he understood what she meant. Bonding required only intent. “I’ll not trap you this way. It’s not right.”
She laughed softly even as her hand trembled. “I offer it to you. Freely. As I wish it. If there is a trap, it’s my own design.”
Lyr wavered, the restraint he’d held for decades crumbling around him. She didn’t even know about Aimee, about her rebirth. How could she think clearly right now? And yet his hand reached out, brushing against hers as it wrapped around the chain. When she came to herself, she might hate him. They might face a priest of Arneen to have the bond severed. But as magic flowed between them, he couldn’t find the strength to care.
Chapter 26
When Meli opened her eyes again, the world was no longer a swirling haze. She blinked against the light spilling across her face until her vision adjusted. Then she blinked again. Above, the ceiling was carved to look like branches stretching from a large tree, so well-done she’d thought she was in the forest. Where…?
Then memories flooded in. A voice had whispered in her head, commanding her to stay. It had shown her visions of Lyr’s panicked face as he sat beside her on the bed. Was she in Lyr’s bedroom, then? It seemed most likely.
She could sense Lyr in the chair beside her without turning her head to look. Their bond was stronger, an actual link now. Meli didn’t regret it, though he probably believed she would. Or he would think she hadn’t understood what she was doing. But even ill, Meli had known. She’d lost her fear of the soulbond the night before.
Meli never would have given Lyr her permission, for the kiss
or anything that had followed, if her spirit didn’t sing with his. Not without knowing him much longer. She’d spent a great deal of time staring at her own ceiling last night, trying to make a decision. And she’d decided she wanted him.
She let out a soft breath and shifted, pleased to find she was merely achy. Lyr sat forward at once. “Meli?”
Worried about the odd timbre of his voice, she levered herself to her side and leaned her weight on her trembling arm. “What’s wrong?”
“You should lie back down.” Lyr’s chair screeched against the wood floor as he shot to his feet, and his face twisted with concern. But Meli also detected a hint of fear through their tenuous bond. “Once the bonding had begun, Selia was able to break the spell, but you’re still weak. We had to stop your very soul from leaving your body.”
At Meli’s shiver, Lyr rushed to pull a blanket from the end of the bed. She settled back against the pillows and let him gather it around her, though her shudder hadn’t been from the cold. “I’ve only heard of such things in hushed whispers,” she said. “Plenty think that spell is a myth. I suppose I can clarify things in that regard.”
“Provided Alfheim will speak with us once the ambassador’s body is delivered.” Lyr settled on the bed beside her, but he didn’t quite meet her eyes. “Meli…I’m sorry.”
She knew what he was apologizing for, and it wasn’t her injury. “I’d decided before this.”
His gaze darted to hers. “But I thought—”
“I wanted to wait until Lady Teronver left to tell you. This only hastened things.” Meli reached out, resting her hand against his forearm. “Is that what’s bothering you?”
Lyr’s brows drew down. “Do you recall the first time you woke?”
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