Page 25 of Chaos Tempted

“Out with it, Jaden,” I order.

“We were on our way back after our meetings, and I sensed King Magnus, Turgon, and someone else—a female,” Jaden begins. “I sensed magic—possibly a mage.”

“It couldn’t be a mage,” I scoff. “He hates them.”

“I don’t know.” Jaden shrugs. Both of us know that it’s completely unheard of for my father to meet with a mage, since he doesn’t trust them. “I didn’t recognize her voice and scent. She smells of marigolds and a lightning storm. So I don’t think it was Mage Neven.”

“What did you hear?” Oakes asks, believing Jaden’s senses.

“It was muffled. I don’t think anyone with normal hearing would have caught their voices.” Jaden sits down, collapsing into a chair as if the information weighs too much on his shoulders. “I heard two words,warandchangeling.”

“Twyla?” Wyn whispers.

Jaden rubs his forehead with worry. “What other changeling do we know of?”

“Well, to be fair, we don’t know how many changelings my father might have planted in the realms.” I grumble.

“True,” Jaden agrees. “But Twyla is in a strategic position to strike at the heart of human leadership.”

“King Nathaniel.” I sit hard on a chair and hold my face in my palm in defeat.

“You think Twyla is capable of hurting her own father?” Wyn asks.

“Adoptivefather,” I remind her. “She might not see him as you would hope. Nathaniel isn’t her true father, and her loyalties might lie withmyfather.”

Wyn paces the room. “No. I felt her emotions during my vision. She loves him.”

I catch Wyn’s hand and bring her into an embrace. “Yes, but even when we love someone, we can still hurt them. She might not have a choice.”

“You mean someone might manipulate her?” Wyn asks, staring up at me with fear.

I know the fear isn’t for herself but for Twyla and us.

“Or use a control spell such as the one placed on the ghouls,” Jaden says. “Force her to betray him.”

Oakes sighs, releasing his frustration on his exhale. “I’m more concerned that someone will use WynthroughTwyla’s link.”

“No one but us knows about the vision Wyn had.” I squeeze Wyn tighter.

“Except Twyla probably felt Wyn’s presence, too.” Oakes reminds us. “And the Mage Weaver who bonded them will know the extent of what a changeling link can do. This might be whatthey planned all along. That may have been who was in the meeting with Magnus.”

“But how could anyone actually use our link to their advantage?” Wyn asks.

“I’m not sure how it could be used…yet,” Oakes says quietly. “But you saw into Twyla’s mind. We can’t let anyone else know about that. And hopefully, Twyla doesn’t tell anyoneifshe can do the same with you.”

Jaden grumbles with irritation. “Unfortunately, Wyn, that means we will also have to keep some things about our dealings with you a secret, so they aren’t leaked to our enemies.”

I feel Wyn stiffen in my hold, but then she seems to see the wisdom in us withholding some dangerous information.

Oakes adds quickly, “At least until we get your psychic boundaries in place.”

13

CONTENT

WYNSTELLE

The four of us spend the night in Eldrin’s quarters, sharing his massive bed again.

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