Page 51 of Chaos Tempted

“Fine.” Eldrin grits his teeth, obviously angry he can’t carry his love in his arms. “Call for our horses.”

I notify the door guards to ready our horses and have two of our trusted guards ready to escort us to the Mage Temple.

The guards, Corwin and Baelen, ride with us. We scan for threats on the road outside the capital walls all the way to the temple gates.

Even though none of us say anything about Wyn’s condition, Corwin and Baelen notice Wyn’s strange, distant behavior. AsOakes and Eldrin dismount and escort Wyn inside, Corwin says to me, “I hope your mate feels better soon.”

I look at Corwin, then Baelen in the eye, seeing their concern. “Thank you. Best not let anyone else know she’s not feeling well.”

“Of course,” the guards say in unison.

“You can trust us,” Corwin adds. “We are fond of Wynstelle. She has always treated us with kindness.”

I nod my thanks and hurry after the others.

Mage Neven meets us at the temple doors and opens the entrance wide for us to pass. “Come.”

“You sense what is happening?” Eldrin asks.

The mage nods and waves us to hurry. “Inside my quarters, now,” she says without explanation.

Oakes sits Wyn down in a chair in the mage’s small, but cozy office.

Eldrin turns to the mage, eyes wide with concern. “What’s happening to her?”

“Is this a curse? A spell?” Oakes asks as he moves out of the way of the approaching Seer.

The mage steps closer and studies Wyn’s eyes. “I’m not sure yet, but I sensed how strange she felt when you rode up.”

Eldrin’s jaw tightens. “You said the mark wasn’t harming her. But this is the changeling’s doing, isn’t it?”

“Why do you say that?” Neven asks, looking at the prince instead of inspecting Wyn.

“Wynstelle has had visions of Twyla since our mate bond,” I explain. “Last night, Wyn woke up with a nightmare of Twyla wrestling with a horrible decision. This morning, she was like this.”

“It sounds as if Twyla has made her decision,” Mage Neven mumbles.

“Then itisTwyla?” Eldrin asks as he paces the small room. “Can youseewhat is the matter with Wynstelle?”

“I cannot say for certain it is Twyla, but I sense some sort of psychic attack on Wyn’s mind. The source feels like it comes through the mark. Eventually, if she remains this way… it could kill her.”

“Can you break the spell?” Oakes asks with urgency.

Mage Neven closes her eyes and silently hovers her hands over Wyn’s head for several minutes. “Whatever is causing this is deeper and stronger than a typical curse. I suspect there are only two who can break it, Wyn or her attacker. My guess would be that Twyla is the source, or perhaps only the vehicle, whether the changeling knows she is doing it or not. The link is so strong that I cannot sever it. Only the attacker can stop the damage. Or if Wynstelle has the mental ability and strength to fight off the invasion.”

“If Twyla refuses to stop…” Eldrin pauses in his pacing, reluctant to voice his question. “If Twyla were to die, would that break the spell?”

Neven raises her eyebrows. “Are you ready to murder Twyla?”

“If it means saving Wyn,” Eldrin says with a deadly serious conviction.

“I would advise against such drastic measures.” Neven tsks. “They are bonded. Twyla’s death might save Wyn’s life temporarily, but Wyn will never be the same. It might shatter the long, healthy life Wyn was gifted.”

I don’t like that the mage knows of Twyla’s gift of an extended life span through their link. Neven must have felt the spell.

“How do you know about that gift?” I demand.

“I feel the difference in Wyn’s life force… it’s more Elven in nature.”

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