Page 76 of A Petal in the Crown

It wasn't rushed, but a slow worshiping of each other's bodies. The end of the war was coming, and so much was uncertain. But this? Their love for one another? It was their only constant. The only thing Lea could truly depend upon.

Lea’s body went taut, tensing as a pleasure built from her toes and spread up her legs.

“I love you,” she moaned, ecstasy coursing through her blood, her breaths becoming shallow and her heart pounding until she exploded, crying out Gray's name as he did the same. He buried himself deep inside her as he came, reminding her of all the ways he loved her.

And once everything had been said, they laid there together, panting and intertwined, unable to move from each other’s embrace. Unwilling to break apart. They didn't speak the words, but it was clear from the way they held tight that they both knew this could be the last time in a very long time they would be together like this. And so they simply laid there, savoring each other's closeness until they drifted off to sleep.

Chapter 48

Lea

Lea only had a few moments to spare as she hurried down the stone corridor toward Evangeline's room. Her heels clicked in a rapid rhythm, a steady metronome to remind her how little time she had left. Gray was busy with last-minute plans—ensuring the horses were being readied and packed, briefing his generals on the plan to mobilize the army if and when Alaric was found… If she was going to speak with Evangeline, now was her only chance.

Before her feet even caught up with her body, Lea leaned forward and rapped her knuckles on the door. She waited two seconds, then pushed inside. There was no time for manners.

"Who's there? Lea? Is that you?" Evangeline asked from where she stood by the window, and once again, Lea felt the odd sensation of awe that her mother knew who she was and what she was doing, even without her sight.

"It's me," Lea confirmed, closing the door behind her. "I don't have long."

"It's time then?" Evangeline asked.

"Our men confirmed Alaric has at least four outposts, all of them surrounding the Wicked Wood’s border. He has to be somewhere in that area. We're splitting up," Lea explained.

"Good," Evangeline said. "That must be why I'vebeen unable to see much in the next few days. There are too many variables. I'll pack my things—"

"No," Lea interrupted. "If I bring you along, Gray will be suspicious."

"But you’ll need me there with you—to hold death back so you can kill Alaric."

"I know," Lea said. "But I have an idea. I know you created the portal for the king to enter Calir," Lea said.

Evangeline's cheeks flushed, the red hue creeping down her neck with what Lea assumed was shame.

"There's no time for regret. Could you do it again?"

Evangeline nodded. "If I start preparing now. It would take some time, but yes. Where will this portal lead?"

"The outposts all surround the border of the Wicked Wood. If I had to guess, he’s somewhere in there," Lea said, avoiding giving her too much information in case it could tip off Eudora or put Genevieve at risk. "You and I… Our magic is similar. From the gods. We can both hold off death. I’m hoping you can do something else only I can…"

"Okay…" Evangeline tilted her head.

"When I give someone a piece of my magic, it links us, connects us in a way that allows me to see through their eyes. If you can give me the smallest kernel of yours, I can do the same for you. When I need you, you'll feel a tug—like a rope in your hand, but connected to your chest. Just follow it, and you’ll see. If I could show you where he is, somewhere in the Wicked Wood, do you think you would recognize it?"

"I know the Wicked Wood like the back of my hand. I hid within it for years."

"Then you should be able to find me when I need you. When it's time, come to me throughthe portal."

Evangeline pressed her lips together. "Are you certain this is the path forward?"

"It's the best option we have. The only option," Lea said, her fingers drifting up to the crown of vines wrapped around her head. "Alaric is growing stronger."

"You'll have to escape Gray," Evangeline said. "He won’t let us go alone willingly."

"I know. I have a plan for that, too." Lea’s heart sank, but she pushed the feeling away. "Your magic. Will you try to give me a piece?"

"Of course. What do I do?" Evangeline walked forward, gliding around the small footstool as if she could see it clearly.

"Find your magic and isolate it," Lea instructed. "Imagine a blade or fire, something that can slice through it. Cut away the smallest piece you can, push it into my skin, and try to merge it with my own magic."

---