Chapter 26
Chapter
Twenty-Six
Isank my fingers into the ground, seeking the heart of Mother Earth.
My magic responded faster than ever, a heat-seeking missile headed straight for the core of the world.
Her presence surrounded me, and I sank down into my meditation, allowing the earth’s power to ease my aches and pains, and wipe my mind of worry.
It’d been far too long since I communed with nature of my own free will. The last time I’d been close to death and was forced to. This time, I wanted to pay homage to her, thank her for my power, and check over my land.
Once I finished here, I needed to shift.
My Chimera power had been suppressed for too long, and I was getting itchy under the collar.
After the last shift where I’d gone into what was apparently the legendary Chimera form—whatever the hell that meant—I could feel the urge scratching at me to shift almost every day.
But there were other things I was neglecting with this power, and I knew I had to master them if I had any hope of protecting myself against my mother or other threats that might arise when people realized who I was and exactly how I was related to Cernunnos.
Once that happened, I’d be a target for every fae gunning for the position, no matter that I was a blood relation.
I released a breath and wiped my mind of everything but the feeling of the earth’s gentleness brushing across my skin.
Two hours later, I opened my eyes. Winter had come to town, or as much as we ever received winter.
Joy Springs was its own little place, and when things got too hot or too cold, there were a number of folks who could fix that right up for us.
They didn’t do it all the time, but I couldn’t remember a day when it stayed over a hundred during the summer.
Winter was a little more flexible because it was rarely dangerous.
This evening was chilly, the temps having dropped into the low forties.
But even with winter’s kiss upon our brows, it couldn’t stop my Floromancy power.
The ground bloomed with wildflowers, a vivid and startling array of color surrounding me as far as the eye could see.
It had happened before, but never during the colder months. Yet another thing to chalk up to my genetic weirdness, but since wildflowers were harmless and no one but me would see them, I didn’t worry too much.
I rose and stretched, sending a tendril of power out to double check I’d touched every piece of my land. A brush of contentment curled over my senses, the land sleepy and sated.
Good. With a bare thought, I shifted into a falcon, rising high into the air.
The avian form was my favorite so far. My fae form was a wren, and I loved it, but the falcon could fly far longer.
I could feel the power stretching my wings wide, the cool wind sliding underneath my wings.
I opened my beak and let out a harsh cry, banking left and sailing through the air.
A dark form came at me from the right, quick and agile. I rose into the air and slowed down, allowing Poe to catch up with me.
I couldn’t speak in this form, but Poe was happy to explore with me for a while.
When I landed on my porch and shifted, I shook out my robe before tugging it on. Poe hopped onto my shoulder.
“Let’s go inside and get warm.”
The raven dipped his head in acknowledgment.
“I’ve missed you. How’s Fee?”
Fee was a phoenix I technically stole from my mother.
Well, I stole the egg, not the bird, not dreaming for a second the shell contained a mythical bird of untold power.
She stayed with Poe inside the basement of my home for quite a while until I struck a bargain with Caelan for Fee to stay with him so she could remain hidden but still take to the skies and experience some form of freedom.
It had worked out far better than expected, but, to my surprise, Poe had elected to stay with her. Now the two were inseparable, and Fee had grown into a stunning multi-colored mythical beast.
“Happy Fee.”
“Good. I was at the property not too long ago.” Poe and Fee stayed away from the main area of the Keep because of all the guests and business going on.
It wasn’t safe for anyone to catch a glimpse of Fee, so she stayed on the ground during the day as much as she could and kept to the back of Caelan’s property.
At night, she and Poe flew to their heart’s content, her natural magic matured enough to where she could mute her orange and purple glow.
I’d visited a few times over the months, but I was careful not to draw attention to either one of them. Poe could take care of himself, but Fee was young and vulnerable.
She also belonged to my mother, or at least Cliona would claim her if she saw her, so I wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize her safety.
I scratched the back of Poe’s neck. “Hungry?”
He dipped his head, and I got busy chopping up some fruits and cheese, tossing some into a bowl with some nuts for Poe and adding some to a small tray for me. Shifting burned a ton of energy, and I always ate like a horse for the first several hours afterward.
Poe hopped onto the coffee table and dug into his food while I curled up on the couch and munched. When he finished, he lifted his head.
“Gods unhappy.”
“When are they not?” I muttered.
“Angry. Tree.”
I stilled. “They’re angry about the tree on Caelan’s property?”
Another dip of the head. “Technically, that’s not my fault.”
“Court of Gods. Danger. Danger. Danger.”
The summons I’d received was only a few days away. I’d almost forgotten. If Poe was here to warn me, the circumstances I was walking into had to be dire.
“Any tips?”
“Survive. Survive.”
“That’s not exactly helpful, Poe.”
“Betrayal.”
“Who?”
“Gods. Trickery.”
“Alright. I was already somewhat prepared for getting stabbed in the back, but that was before the tree incident. It’s worse?”
He bobbed his head. “Mother. Father. Worry. Betrayal.”
I reached over and stroked his head. “Thanks for the warning. So Mom and Dad will both be there and someone is going to try to stab me in the back?”
He made a frustrated quarking sound. “Tricks. Betrayal. Tricks.”
“Maybe not a complete betrayal, but they’re going to try to trick me?”
He bobbed his head. “Be careful.” Poe flapped over to land on my shoulder. He rubbed his head against my cheek. “Love Evie. Love Fee.”
“I love you too.”
“Open door.”
I snorted. “Done with me already?”
“Home. Fee.”
“Alright. Don’t be a stranger, Poe.”
He flew off into the night in a flash of purple blue. I was just about to head back inside when I felt a disturbance at the edge of my wards.
Garrett stood there, holding Thalia’s limp form in his arms, the woman’s eyes glowing an unearthly silver. She mumbled something under her breath I couldn’t hear.
“Let us in!” Garrett shouted. “Thalia needs help.”
I rushed downstairs. “Then why aren’t you helping her?”
His jaw tightened. “Because, you quarrelsome woman, she insisted on coming here.”
“I’m not a medic!” With a word, the wards opened. Garrett stalked inside.
“Follow me.”
For once, Garrett didn’t argue. When we were inside, he carefully laid the young woman on the couch. Thalia’s face was etched in lines of misery, her eyes wide open and unseeing.
“Evie. Evie. Are you there?”
I took her hand, concerned by Thalia’s frigid touch. I reached for the wool blanket and covered her up. “I’m here.”
“A decision. A crown. A tree. Death or Dominion. Blood. Family.” A sob bubbled from Thalia’s lips.
I stroked her hair. “It’s okay.” I glanced at Garrett. “Can you sit with her for a minute? I’ll make her some tea.”
“No!” Her hoarse bark made me freeze. “Understand. Heed me. You must choose, Evie. Choose what you want to be. Or you will die.”
Her eyes fluttered shut, fingers going limp in my hands. Garrett went to his knees, eyes wide with concern. I slowly backed away, wondering at the force of his reaction to her. The usually unruffled Garrett was very much ruffled for this girl.
“She’s unconscious,” I said quietly. “That’s all. Seers expend a lot of energy during their visions, and this seemed like a powerful one.”
Garrett brushed Thalia’s hair from her face and didn’t respond.
I touched him on the shoulder on my way to the kitchen. “I’ll make some coffee too.”
While both were brewing, I texted Caelan.
Is she okay? he responded.
Unconscious but breathing. She should be fine in a little while.
And Garrett?
Unusually kind to Thalia. Something going on?
Wolves have a protective streak, was all he said.
Caelan speak for yes, Garrett has the hots for her.
Keep me posted. I’ll come if Thalia takes a turn for the worse. Garrett can handle this.
I made sure the kettle stayed on to keep the water hot for when Thalia woke up, put my phone in my pocket, and brought Garrett a cup of coffee.
He grunted a thank you and curled his hands around the mug.
Garrett didn’t like me. Considering how he treated me, the feeling had proven mutual.
But seeing him here now, his eyes tight with worry as he fussed over Thalia made me see him in a new light.
He lifted her head up and sat on the couch, gently adjusting her so her head rested on his lap.
His fingers stroked through her hair absentmindedly.
Wolves might have a protective streak, but Garrett’s was totally focused on the woman next to him. A monster from legend could smash through the house and swallow me whole and Garrett probably wouldn’t look up from Thalia.
This made me like him a smidge more. Not much, but a little.
“What did she mean?” he asked, his voice sandpaper rough.
“No way to tell,” I admitted. “I’ve been summoned to the Council of the Gods convening in a few days. That’s the only thing I can think of.”
He frowned. “Why would Thalia have visions about you when you don’t know each other?”
“I’m not well-versed in seers, but I don’t think Thalia gets to choose. We went shopping not too long ago, so maybe our trip triggered the vision. Or maybe the gods’ council has the potential to change a lot of lives, and it was important enough for Thalia to warn me.”
“Why are the gods so interested in you?”
“I’m not sure how much Caelan has told you, but the short answer is it’s complicated.”
He shook his head, ragged blonde hair flopping into his eyes. “Not much. I’m Caelan’s enforcer, not his gossip buddy.”
“Are you always so pissy?” I rubbed my face and sighed. “Can we not have one normal conversation between us?”
He lifted amber eyes and met my gaze. “Thank you for opening your wards.”
I blinked, waiting for him to follow it up with something shitty, but he didn’t. “Of course. You’re one of Caelan’s most trusted people. Why wouldn’t I?”
He grunted and turned his attention back to Thalia.
She stirred a few seconds later, her eyes blinking open. Her brow furrowed when she spotted Garrett.
“Where—”
“You’re at my house,” I said.
Thalia turned and frowned. “When did I get here?”
“You had a powerful vision and insisted you come here.”
She sat up abruptly and scooted away from Garrett. I pretended not to notice the flicker of hurt on his face. Thalia groaned and winced, pressing her thumb to the space between her eyes. “I have a horrific headache.”
I hurried to the kitchen to make her some tea and carried the cup back with a small saucer. “Peppermint and some other herbs. It should help.”
“Thanks.”
Silence fell as we sipped our drinks. When Thalia spoke, her voice was shaky. “I don’t remember much. There’s some event or something coming up, and I remember it being dangerous.”
“Yes,” I agreed. “In a few days I’ll be called before the gods.”
Thalia sucked in a breath. “What did you do?”
“Planted a tree.”
Garrett snorted.
Thalia’s brow wrinkled. “That doesn’t seem important enough. Did something else happen?”
“Lots of somethings. You were trying to warn me, but…” My voice trailed off.
“I know. My predictions are shaky at best.” Her fists clenched. “Which is so annoying because how can I help people if I keep spouting off weird shit like water fiiiillltteeer.” She wiggled her fingers. “Or darkness faaaallllls.”
She seemed so disgusted with herself, my heart hurt. “It’s not your fault. I haven’t met a lot of Seers, but all their predictions came with a heaping side of confusion.” I slapped on what I hoped was a comforting smile. “But I’ve always been good at puzzles, so I’m sure I’ll figure it out.”
“Are you ready to go?” Garrett interjected.
Thalia sent him a hot glare. “Can I finish my tea first?”
His jaw tightened. “Fine.”
Thalia rolled her eyes. “How did I get here?”
I decided to throw Garrett a bone. “Um. Actually, Garrett drove you here and carried you in.”
Thalia blinked. Her eyes narrowed. “Did he smack my head against the door a few times beforehand?”
“No,” Garrett growled, “but it was tempting.”
These two were so going to do it. I bit down the grin threatening. “Want some more coffee?” I asked the prickly wolf.
“Please.” He held his mug out. “Half, please. We’ll get out of your hair as soon as the princess finishes her tea.”
“Maybe the princess will throw it in your face and ask for a fresh cup,” Thalia said sweetly.
“Try it and see what happens.” Garrett snapped his teeth.
Thalia blushed and sipped her tea.
Garrett mumbled a thank you and took the mug I handed him. We sat in awkward silence for a few more minutes until Thalia rose. “Thank you, Evie.”
“I should be the one thanking you.”
When we got to the door, she reached over and gave me a tight hug before sliding past Garrett outside.
“Thanks for bringing her to me,” I said.
“She asked to go.”
I couldn’t help my smile this time. “Be careful, Garrett. She seems like a feisty one.”
Garrett pinned me with his amber gaze. “How about you mind your business, and I mind mine?”
“You’re the one who carried her over the threshold like Prince Charming.”
Garrett made a disgusted noise and walked outside, leaving me standing in the doorway laughing.