Chapter 20
CHAPTER TWENTY
SASHA
The next morning, we descended the stairs to the dining room, Savory swooping ahead of us. Dominic’s hand caught mine, pulling me back against him for a kiss that made my toes curl.
The nest is well-feathered indeed, Savory said in my mind, her tone smug. Though perhaps you could save this for when you’re not blocking the stairs?
My face heated, but I smiled against Dominic’s mouth before we continued down.
We paused twice more, unable to help ourselves. Each kiss felt different now, no longer tentative or questioning, but certain. Right.
At this rate, you’ll reach breakfast by dinner, Savory said.
I finally pushed Dominic away with a laugh, and we made it to the dining room.
The flowers in the vase at the center of the table were wilted, their petals brown and flaking. But the moment we crossed the threshold, they perked up. Color flooded back into the blossoms, the stems straightening as if we’d given them water after a drought.
Savory landed on the back of an empty chair and began grooming her feathers.
I’d woken feeling different this morning, physically satisfied in a way I’d never experienced. But more than that, I felt emotionally settled. The usual anxiety that greeted me each morning, and the weight of responsibilities and problems still left to solve, felt manageable rather than crushing.
My plant magic stirred more readily too, responding to my contentment like it had been waiting for permission to fully emerge.
As I sat, Dominic’s hand settled on my lower back, tracing small circles through my gown. The touch sent warmth through me that had nothing to do with magic and everything to do with the memory of what he’d done for me last night. I’d slept in his arms. Woken to his smile.
There couldn’t be anything better than that.
He took the seat beside me, close enough that our knees touched under the table. Without asking, he poured my primwort and added cream.
The domesticity of it made my chest ache in the best possible way.
“Pastry?” he asked, holding up a flaky creation filled with berries.
“Please.”
He laid it on his plate and tore off a piece, holding it to my lips. I took it, maintaining eye contact while he watched my mouth. His pupils dilated, reminding me again of last night.
“You’re thinking about it too,” he said softly.
“Constantly.”
He grinned and selected a piece of fruit, holding it out. “Then we’ll have to make more memories.”
I bit into the fruit, and juice ran down my chin. He caught it with his thumb, bringing it to his own mouth.
The mating display is charming, if a bit obvious, Savory said.
I shot her a look, but couldn’t suppress my smile.
The vines along the windowsill unfurled new leaves as we continued eating. Even the herbs in the garden visible through the window seemed to straighten, reaching toward the sun.
“Look at that,” I said, nodding toward the flowers in the middle of the table. The blossoms had opened fully now.
I reached out to touch one, and it responded, new growth forming along the stem. My magic buzzed beneath my skin, stronger than it had ever been.
Dominic captured my hand, bringing my palm to his lips while watching the flower’s reaction. The blooms practically glowed.
“Our emotional connection creates magical resonance,” I said, wonder coloring my voice. “I knew it theoretically, but seeing it like this is simply amazing.”
“It truly is.” His thumb stroked across my knuckles.
Your magical signatures harmonize now, Savory said, landing on the table. She stole a piece of pastry from the platter. Rather than simply complementing each other. It’s quite beautiful, actually.
“What’s she saying?” Dominic asked.
I shared, and his smile turned soft.
“She’s right,” he said. “I can feel it. Like we’re singing the same song in different keys.”
I pulled my notebook from my pocket. “We should document this. If we can understand exactly what we’re doing, we might be able to fix this despite whoever’s sabotaging the plants.”
“Always thinking ahead.” He kissed my temple. “I love that about you.”
I thumbed through my notebook and wrote a few things down. Dominic conjured small magical lights that floated above the papers.
“Let’s strategize,” I said, tapping the sketch I’d made of the underground chamber. “We need eyes on that space without being obvious about it.”
“Magical observation spells,” Dominic said, leaning over my shoulder to study the diagram. “Keyed specifically to alert us if anyone goes near.”
I pointed to my list. “How about magical traps?”
“Trace spells,” he said. “Placed near the entrance to the hill. They’re subtle enough most people won’t notice, but they’ll create a magical signature we can track.”
“Savory can provide aerial reconnaissance.” I glanced at her. “You’re good at noticing patterns in movement.”
The hunter who knows their prey’s feeding patterns never goes hungry, she said.
“She agrees,” I told Dominic.
He nodded, his hand settling on my arm.
I made a note. “What about research priorities? We need to narrow down who has the knowledge and access to create something like the chamber.”
We both fell silent, thinking through the court members we knew. None stuck out as particularly suspicious.
“They must have knowledge of ancient magic,” Dominic said. “That could be several people. Lady Kenneth studies old texts. Lord Primrose has mentioned ancient family archives. Even my mother—” He stopped, his jaw tightening.
I squeezed his arm. “She had access to all the garden areas?”
“Most of the court has that. It’s not restricted space.”
“Let’s discuss philosophical motivations for emotional suppression,” I said. “Our discovery suggests it’s someone who believes dampening feelings makes the court stronger or safer.”
We looked at each other, both coming to the same frustrating conclusion.
“We can’t narrow it down,” I said.
“Not with what we know so far.”
I tapped my pencil against my lips, thinking.
“What if we force their hand? As you suggested on the stairs last night, we could bring in new flowers in pristine condition and make a big show of preparing them for the festival. Create a scenario that would draw whoever’s doing this back to the chamber. ”
Dominic’s eyes lit up. “The perfect trap.”
“If they believe their dampening work is being undone, they’ll have to act. And when they do…”
“We’ll be watching.” He finished my sentence, grinning.
Birds who break routine often have hidden nests, Savory said as she gulped down a mouthful of pastry. Watch for behavioral changes in the court. Someone will slip.
“She’s right,” I said, sharing what she’d said while moving the platter of pastries out of her reach. “Whoever’s doing this feels justified, not guilty. That kind of conviction could show in how they carry themselves.”
The crow who steals believes the shiny thing was always meant to be his, Savory added.
Dominic laughed when I translated. “Your companion is very wise.”
Finally, proper recognition.
“But also very humble,” I said dryly.
“The festival is in two days,” Dominic said, pulling us back to our notes. “If we can’t catch them before then, we need a backup plan.”
“Temporary counters to the dampening magic.” I flipped to a fresh page. “We know our emotional connection revives the plants. Could we amplify that somehow during the festival itself?”
“Maybe, if we position ourselves strategically throughout the celebration,” he said. “Move through different areas, letting our presence counteract the dampening.”
“It’s not a permanent solution, but it would get us through the event.” I made notes as we talked, our ideas flowing back and forth.
The wise raven waits for the mouse to reveal itself rather than disturbing every bush, Savory said. Patience will serve you better than rushing.
“She’s telling us not to force it,” I said.
Dominic nodded. “She’s probably right. We can set the trap, watch carefully, and wait.”
The door opened, and Lady Kenneth strode in, wearing her usual tunic and pants, weapons visible at her belt.
“Good morning, Your Majesties.” She settled into a chair and accepted the cup of tea one of the staff placed in front of her. “You both look well.”
A flush touched my cheeks, but I managed to keep my expression neutral. “Good morning, Lady Kenneth.”
“I have excellent news.” She took a sip of tea.
“Master Cornelius from the Eastern Winds Court has agreed to loan me those texts.” She clapped her hands.
“I cannot wait to dig into Emotional Resonance in Pre-Kingdom Courts, The Suppression Arts: A Historical Analysis, and Magical Dampening: Theory and Practice.” Her eyes gleamed.
“I’m particularly excited about the suppression arts volume.
It covers techniques most people believe were lost centuries ago. ”
My pulse picked up. “When will they arrive?”
“Soon. The courier should be here within a day or two.” She studied us both. “I have the sense you’re interested in these subjects, which I appreciate. Scholarly study is a lost art, I’m afraid.”
“I’d love to take a look at those volumes myself when they arrive,” Dominic said.
“Of course, Your Majesty.”
“And perhaps you’d be willing to help with my research?” I added. “I could use your expertise in historical magical theory. It’s a pet project of mine.”
Lady Kenneth’s smile widened. “I’d be delighted. Shall I notify you once the texts arrive?”
“Perfect,” Dominic said.
“I’ve noticed something else,” Lady Kenneth said, her expression turning thoughtful. “Unusual behavior patterns among some court members lately. Nothing I can pinpoint specifically, just a general sense of unease.”
“Even with the giggling issue resolved?” I asked.
“Especially since then. You’d think people would be relieved, but instead they seem more on edge.” She shook her head. “Perhaps the approaching festival is creating pressure.”
“Perhaps,” Dominic said, though his tone suggested he was thinking about other possibilities.