Page 55 of A Petal in the Crown

He held up his hands. "I know. I know I said I think you can do it. I’m sure with enough time, you could. But what if it’s another trap? Or a trick. Don’t you remember the last time? I thought it was going to kill you."

"What other choice do we have?" Lea asked, frustration pounding in her head like a drum. "We have no other options. The goddess herself said it’s the only way. I have to take Alaric’s magic, and return it to the earth."

Gray opened his mouth, but Lea cut him off. "I know what you're going to say. That it’s not safe. That we're missing something. But right now, it’s the only chance we have. Evangeline has seen us winning, Gray. And the goddess herself said there’s a way for me to take his magic without it hurting me."

"Without itkillingyou," Gray growled, his shadows expanding, but Lea ignored him.

"Thereisa way. We just have to keep searching for it. I know you don't completely trust Evangeline, but we're blind without her. She can help us find Alaric. Wehaveto find him, Gray. And soon."

Gray's eyes flicked to her moonflower crown, and Lea let the moment linger, thick and heavy.

"We either trust her andmaybedie, or we don't listen to her anddefinitelydie. I at least want to die with my feet moving," Lea said.

"We're not going to be defeated. We just need more time to find him. More time for you to learn how to steal his magic without it hurting you, or worse."

"We can't just chase him through the kingdom until the last petal falls. We don’t have time to spare trying to figure every last detail out before I try again. Once these petals are gone, so am I. Forever. I have faith I'll find a way to take his magic, but to do that, Ihaveto practice."

Gray’s forehead creased, his lips turning down and his jaw tightening, but Lea saw the moment he relented. He had no other choice. Because she was right. They had no other information. No other clues.

Evangeline had no reason to lie. Not unless she herself was searching for power like Alaric and Eudora. But she'd been abused by the Black King. Had allowed herself to be tortured and tormented for years without giving away Lea’s identity or even her existence.

Evangeline’s visions were their only lead, and unless something changed, she was their only chance of finding Alaric. Once again, Lea forced her hands to stay in the water. Didn't allow them to trail across the moonflower vine around her head. She already knew they were running out of time, and didn’t need to touch the crown to remind herself.

"Come here," Lea said, motioning for Gray to come into the water. He looked exhausted, his face drawn and flushed from the heat, and his eyes bruised with dark circles. But he stood, removing his trousers and shirt before wading in to sit next to her. Even with Alaric’s absence and the clock looming over their heads, ticking down on the end of their lives, the sight of his muscular body still left Lea breathless.

His bare chest had become even more defined over the last few weeks, and his skin was bronzed from the intensity of the sun. Lea lifted a hand and placed it over Gray’s heart. Over his scar, the place he had cut the mate bond from his flesh. The sacrifice he had made to save her life.

"This can't all be for nothing. What you've done, whatI'vedone. I know you're afraid of me taking magic again—"

"Because it almost killed you last time."

"No." Shestopped him. Guilt gnawed at her stomach. She knew very well that taking Alaric’s magic could kill her. Likely would. The goddess had said as much. But she’d also said it was possible for her to take it, and still survive. She just had to figure out how.

"Trying to take your magic was painful, but after everything we've learned about the universe, would you expect it to be easy? Remember what Eudora said? Witches can gift their magic to others, but if they take it? It kills them. It’s the gravest sin to take another’s magic. The universe demands balance. Have we not been told that time and time again? Eudora, the goddess, the god of the sun even said it. If stealing magic were easy, if it didn’t demand some sort of sacrifice, there wouldn't be balance. If I could just take other people's magic, I'd be no better than Alaric."

Lea paused, taking a deep breath and allowing her words to sink in. "I am the Daughter of Suns and Stars." Lea pushed her shadows outward, sending her fire following behind until it bubbled away into steam in the water.

"Queen of Flames. Queen of Shadows.Myqueen," Gray said, reaching out to cup her face. He sighed. "I know all those things. I don't doubt your strength. But watching you in pain? I'd prefer death."

Lea rolled her eyes. "So dramatic. Wasn’t it horrible enough the first time?"

Gray grumbled something under his breath, his shadows pulling her closer.

"Look. If it’s so hard to watch, then don’t. I'll practice on Janelle. Or Erik."

"No," Gray pulled her into his arms, twisting her so her back was pressed against his front. She settled between his legs and leaned her head back onto hisshoulder.

"If you insist this is the only way, then you’ll practice with me." His voice was gruff. "I can handle it."

"Now?" Lea asked. Gray’s arms tightened around her, just a fraction, and he nodded.

"You’re right. We don’t have time to waste. So, yes. Now."

Lea closed her eyes, taking a deep breath and exhaling slowly as she pushed her magic outward. She was grateful to be in the water, certain she wouldn't be able to focus if she was fighting off the heat.

Picturing her magic as roots, Lea spread them outward and wrapped them around Gray’s skin, trying to force them through. She was met with resistance, a hard layer like stone pushing back against her, but she pushed harder, leaning back into Gray as if more physical contact might help get her through his shields. She grit her teeth, then with a firm shove, commanded her magic through the stoney barrier and into Gray’s body.

She sighed in relief as she recognized the feel of Gray’s magic, a tiny echo of what she’d felt when they'd been connected through the bond. After allowing herself a moment to revel in the comfort of their connection, and with another slow inhale, she wrapped her powers around Gray’s magic, isolating a small tendril of shadows. His magic resisted immediately, pulling back against her with a sharp tug, but Lea refused to let go.

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