Page 105 of What Lies Within Blood & Heirs

That irritating, irresistible smirk was dangerously close to being slapped from his stupidly annoying, enchanting face. But the pain wouldn’t be worth it. Alora simply rolled her eyes as her cheek scarleted and attempted to change the subject. “Teach me to fly?”

Silver gleamed impossibly brighter as if stars exploded in his eyes. With a hint of faeling delight, Garrik wondered, “You wish to go flying with me?”

“Yes,” she admitted. And added, “I—well. It’d be useful to have another skill. In case of war, or if I’m needed to fly up a mountain or something. I’ll likely fall. You’d probably have to catch me?—”

“I will always catch you.” His head drifted back; lips parted at his words. And he seemed just as inclined to move the conversation along as she had when he said, “When you recover, I would be delighted to.”

“So tomorrow then?” She grinned.

Garrik released a taunting laugh, flicked her nose, and shook his head. “Keep dreaming, clever girl. You are not leaving this bed for the foreseeable future.”

“But Kadamar. Blood?—”

“Can wait.”

“No.”

“Alora, you need rest?—”

“I saidno,” she insisted, unyielding. Maybe she imagined it, but Garrik smiled at that too. Even so, she wouldn’t leave a moment for him to argue. “Every moment resting is another day Magnelis can kill someone. We stick to the plan. You said two Ravens still live? That you needed them for…” She raised a brow in question.

Disgust captured Garrik’s features, and she knew it wasn’t about her. It was evident he wasn’t pleased with the outcome of what had happened. Regardless, he pulled the emerald reading chair even closer. “Two were magic-washed. The null”—a vicious growl covered the words—“and the blue-skinned male.” His fists clenched, causing a trickle of blood to seep from a wound.

Alora tried to sit up but was met with the sharp reminder of that branch once in her side. Garrik cupped between her shoulders, lowering her to the pillow with a frown and a silent look of disapproval.

The fact dawned on her like a rockslide; it was going to be incrediblydifficultto remain in this bed for even one day.

“What did you do with them?” she asked.

“They were removed from Elysian,” Garrik said as if it was a simple thing. Like something of common knowledge with no need for further answers. Only she didn’t think it was so simple. Garrik leaned forward. Cratering his elbows on his knees, he steepled his fingers as he rested his lips against his fingertips and went on, “I have hidden refuges for different circumstances. I dawned them to one of those locations.”

That made … little sense.

Despite the confusion, Alora blurted, “What do you do with them?”

There was that silence again. Heavy, unsettled.

Silver dulled as Garrik deeply sighed, and she knew whatever his answer was wouldn’t be good. “The only thing we can do.” Garrik dropped his scarred wrists to his knees. Then said, “Keep them prisoner but alive. Eldacar and others have worked to discover a cure for magic-washing since before I returned to myself. With no luck, I’m afraid. For now, they live with as much kindness as a hostile prisoner can expect. They are fed, clothed, and given comfortable accommodation under guard. An unfortunate few require constant restraints but ample medical care to prevent injury. It is the best I can offer until we wake them.”

Alora shook her aching head. “I don’t understand. Where are they?”

Again, silence.

He pulled away, twisting a ring on his right hand. The words were like an echo in time. A sweet memory that could only be spoken in the tenderest tone. “One of my mother’s worlds.” The corners of his mouth twitched as his eyes brightened. But that was short-lived when his chin dropped, staring at the silver ring he twisted as his voice roughened. “With no escape.”

Alora’s eyebrows creased as Garrik pulled the only dark ring from his hand and handed it to her.

“It is a key,” he simply stated. “Many of the rings I wear are as such. Just as you laid your starfire in Jade’s ring, Thalon created portals to my mother’s worlds that we know of. Easily accessible without requiring his presence to open them. I wear these at all times and only a designated few can remove them from my fingers.” He flipped to his palms, wiggling his fingers so the rings glistened in the lantern light. “Some I keep locked away. And like Jade’s ring, only a few can use them. Only Thalon or I can change their access.”

She twirled the ring between her fingers, surveying the intricate details laid within the metal. Twisted wire withsharpened points like dragon’s teeth were engraved around it. Like a prison for beasts. “How many worlds are there?” she asked. Curiosity teemed within her mind when she gazed at his hands.

A joyous smile was enough of an answer, but still, he remarked, “Too many to count. My mother’s powers wereremarkable. Even before Zyllyryon’s magic was hers by birthright, it only added to the spectacular abilities and love she gave to create each one.”

So many worlds. Too many to count.

Alora pressed her head into the pillows, picturing worlds of incredible views, colors, life?—

Safety.Her head shot up. The sapphire glow of her eyes embered.

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