Chapter 28 #2
Leaning against his trunk, I knew I could never leave.
If this was all I had left of him, then I would stay and make sure his tree was loved and well cared for.
Nothing would touch it. No harm would come to Martin.
I wouldn’t allow it. Barrier or no barrier, if the wyvern eggs deemed us unworthy, I would fight to the death to keep Thalia and her wyvern from harming a single oak leaf.
That small piece of Martin’s magic pulsed within me, reminding me I wasn’t completely alone, that I had managed to save and protect that smallest of parts, that wonderfully warm and loving aspect of a dryad I’d inexplicably fallen in love with.
Placing my hand over my chest, I desperately wished I could hold that speck of magic in my hand.
It wasn’t as good as having Martin himself, but at least it was something.
It was a part of him and… My body stilled, my brain coming to a full and complete stop.
My head tilted down, staring at my chest as if I could see Martin’s magic within me.
Licking my dry and cracked lips, I blinked the tears away, my eyes crusty and itchy as my salty tears sucked all the moisture from them.
My heart hammered and the tiniest kernel of hope wiggled its way into my psyche. It was the kind of hope one tried not to cling to, not to grasp too tightly and count on too much. It was the kind of hope that seemed impossibly out of reach and yet enough within sight to make your toes tingle.
“I’m so sorry, Gray,” Henry said as he sat on my shoulder. “If I’d known what he was plannin’, I’d have told Martin what a dumbass idea it was. I would have—”
“Shh.” I needed to think and Henry talking into my ear wasn’t helping.
“Sorry, I just—”
“Hush,” I said a bit harshly. “I need to think. Just give me a minute.” I was beyond niceties. I’d apologize later.
Ideas tumbled through my brain, one thought following another so quickly it was difficult to fully grasp one before dismissing it. My eyes darted back and forth as I stared at my empty hands. Martin’s bark was still harsh against my back.
Somewhere, in the distance, I heard a phone ring and realized it was Keir’s. Everyone had gone silent, and Keir allowed the phone to continue ringing. “You gonna answer that?” I asked.
“No,” Keir said. “Whoever it is can wait.”
I wasn’t so certain. Five minutes ago, I wouldn’t have cared less.
That was before I had this precious flicker of hope.
“Answer it,” I demanded. I had no idea if what I was mentally conjuring had a prayer of working, but if it did, I wouldn’t resurrect Martin just to lose him later to a group of furious wyvern.
Keir’s mouth opened once before he snapped it closed. Shifting his egg bundle, Keir dug out his phone and answered with a brief “hello.” He walked away, speaking too softly for me to hear.
“Can I talk yet?” Henry asked, a huff in his voice.
“I’m working out a plan,” I answered instead.
Jima lifted his head, his puffy eyes curiously staring back at me. “What kind of plan?” he softly asked.
I licked my dry lips again. “The kind where we get Martin back.”
Jima visibly jolted while Henry took in a sucking breath. “Listen, I know it’s tough and all, but sometimes you just gotta accept—”
“I don’t have to accept shit.” I’ll admit there was more anger in those words than I would have liked. “Not when I still carry a piece of Martin’s magic.” I squeezed my shirt over my heart. “I have to think that as long as that is alive, there’s a chance.”
Jima gave a hesitant grin while Henry scrambled down my shirt, clinging to the fabric I’d been grasping. “You’ve still got him?” Henry asked, his previous ire replaced by hesitant excitement. “That part survived?”
I nodded. “It did. The pixie magic tried to claim it. My magic wouldn’t let it.”
Henry whooped, tossing one arm up and fist-bumping the air. “Then what are you waitin’ for? Try givin’ it back and let’s see if we can get Martin back.”
Chewing on my bottom lip, I shook my head. “Not yet. It might not be safe.”
Henry’s head tilted to the side, and Jima asked, “Why not? What’s… Oh. I see.” Jima sadly nodded.
“Well, I don’t,” Henry huffed.
Jima answered for me. “Gray just said the pixie magic tried to destroy it too. It’s possible the only thing protecting Martin’s magic is Gray. If he gives it back, who’s to say the pixie magic won’t immediately attack it?”
“Well, shit. That does complicate things.” Henry slid down my shirt, coming to rest on my belly. Hand fisted to his chin, Henry tilted his head down in thought before he raised his head and snapped his fingers. Eyes bright and wide, Henry said, “We need Hikaru.”
“Why?” Jima asked while I grinned, thankful Henry and I were on the same wavelength.
Evidently finished with his phone call, Keir answered, “Because Hikaru can see magic. He’ll know what’s going on inside of Martin, and he’ll be able to see if the pixie magic comes for Martin’s if Grayson starts to release it.”
“Bingo,” I said in agreement.
“Can Hikaru get through the barrier?” Jima asked, his wide eyes scanning the room as if he could visually see the barrier now surrounding the compound.
“Only one way to find out,” Keir answered.
Phone still in hand, he pulled up a contact.
“Holland,” Keir said by way of greeting.
“We need Hikaru.” Keir’s gaze pierced my own as determination thinned his lips and tugged at his eyebrows.
“Yes, as soon as possible. There may be a barrier problem… Hmm, possibly… Tell Hikaru to come to Martin’s quarters. Thank you.”
Keir ended the call, wyvern eggs still cradled within his free arm. “Hikaru should be here in—”
“What the fuck happened here?” Hikaru stood, eight tails flicking behind him, hands fisted on his hips.
“And how and when did the Magical Usage Council get a pixie barrier to protect… Oh.” Hikaru’s shoulders slumped and he shook his head.
“Stupid oak dryad. Should have known you’d do something too damn noble. ”
“Indeed,” Holland said, one large hand on Hikaru’s shoulder. “I believe not even you could make this big of a mess.”
Hikaru’s grin was practically feral. “Now, Niki, you should know better than to challenge me like that.”
Holland’s complexion went a little green around the edges. “That was not a challenge.”
Hikaru’s answering cackle proved it most certainly was.