Page 50 of Of Sword & Silver

“You have done well for yourself, mage,” I interrupt. “Thank you for inviting us into your home, for the hospitality of bread and salt.” Formal words for a formal request.

Lara shrugs one shoulder, her hair shining like midnight where it falls over her shoulder. Kyrie’s waves stand out next to hers, like they have a life of their own—outsized, like the woman who wears them.

“It’s an honest living,” Lara replies. “Unlike some. You’re welcome to my hearth and home.”

She completes the ritual words, a small magic Kyrie doesn’t even seem to clock, but one that will ensure we three can trust each other here, in this space.

“Don’t be rude,” Kyrie huffs at her, setting a loaf of still-steaming bread on the table from where it sat cooling on shelf.

Lara swings into motion, too, the two of them clearly participating in a dance they’ve done countless times, weaving around each other as they place a hunk of cheese on the table, a carafe of crimson wine.

Lara pulls a pot from the fire, revealing a fragrant broth and some sort of fowl swimming in it, skin brown and crisp.

“You really outdid yourself,” Kyrie tells her, smiling into the pot.

“I wasn’t sure when you’d last had a good meal.”

“That means a lot,” Kyrie says slowly, her voice soft, and then surprises me by pulling Lara into a warm embrace. “Thank you, Lara.”

Her eyes meet mine over Kyrie’s shoulder. The concern I see there reflects my own.

“Already?” Lara asks me, the word mournful.

I nod.

“Stop it,” Kyrie says, then coughs a little. “I am fine. We can do this.”

“I thought you had more time.” Lara pulls away, holding Kyrie at arms’ length, staring into her stunning face like it holds the answers.

Maybe it does. Sometimes it feels like it might.

“Imagine that, a witch who can see the future who suddenly can’t see your future.” Kyrie gives her a lopsided grin. “Comforting.”

“Your future is clouded to me. Full of darkness.” Lara’s voice skips an octave or two lower, and the hair on the backs of my arms stands up, Nakush’s magic washing over me in a lightning rush.

I roll my head on my shoulders, trying to shake the feel of it. It’s like they’re here with us, like they’ve given their blessing for Lara to join us. I tilt my face up, letting the power flood me, refresh my senses after a hard few days on the road, and after a decade of living without the touch of magic in Cottleside.

Nakush isn’t here, though, and the feeling fades a half-second later.

“Full of darkness,” Kyrie repeats. “You always know just what to say to make a girl feel better.”

Lara doesn’t respond though, and I know why.

I know why Kyrie’s future is full of darkness, too.

Better darkness than nothing, though—and the thought gives me strength.

Kyrie’s future will never be full of nothing, no matter how much she hates me for it.

She turns away, grabbing several goblets from a wooden shelf, and Lara turns her sorrowful gaze on me.

There’s not a shred of a doubt in my mind, not anymore.

Lara knows.

16

KYRIE

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