Page 77 of Ruled By Magic

My limbs were weak and tingly. I closed my eyes, and the last few minutes replayed in my mind. Arousal mingled with contentment as the energy left my body, warm softness shrouding my thoughts.

He slid in behind me and drew the cover over us both. His arm came around me and pulled me tight. I melted into him, his warmth and solidity all I needed.

“You’re incredible,” he said. “And all mine.”

We had so much to do, but I wanted to lie with him as long as I could. I was his, and that was enough.

The journey on the jetflyer made me feel like a child again. From the first rush of takeoff to the thump as we landed, Hex and I sat with our faces pressed against the glass. The others, seasoned travelers, relaxed and chatted. I couldn’t bring myself to miss a single second of the adventure.

After landing, we changed into our costumes and climbed into a large green crawler with thick tracks perfect for desert travel. Damien and Hex wore crisp palace guard uniforms, black and forbidding. Leo and Atalie, tailored suits. It wasn’t fair. They all looked sharp and professional. I glanced down at my outfit with a sigh. Another revealing dress, typical of my party outfits—this one midnight blue with sparkling diamantes accentuating the plunging neckline. It clung to my figure, down to where it cut off, inches above my knees.

Leo rode in the front of the crawler next to the driver, staring straight ahead. I longed to reach for his hand, but couldn’t. No signs of affection permitted. The emotional goodbye with Andrew and the last hug and kiss with Leo had left me drained, anxiety clawing at my insides. I tapped into it and settled into my role. A miserable captive. Now to be paraded about in shame before foreign royalty. Just one more indignity.

The desert landscape rolled by—flat, red, and repetitive. I lost interest and stared down at my hands, fingers twined together. This was happening.

Hex gripped my leg. I jumped and gazed out the window. A shimmering barrier rose, like the one at the palace but on an enormous scale. It spanned the horizon, as far as we could see in either direction. A miracle, made possible by the Ataran blending of magic and technology. It prevented teleportation into, or out of, the territory.

The crawler halted at the foot of the barrier and the glittering wall filled my vision. My feet slipped as I climbed out, almost spilling me onto the sandy ground. My sparkly sandals—not high, at least—weren’t meant for this sort of terrain. Leo glanced at me, eyes cold, and didn’t react. He was in character. It still hurt a little, though I chided myself for thinking about it.

We formed up as we’d practiced, me and Atalie flanked by Damien and Hex, and Leo out in front. A small gap appeared in the barrier, and a party of six men approached. The prince strode at the head of the group, dressed in black accented with silver. His cape swirled behind him in the breeze, dazzling in the harsh afternoon sun. The men with him wore similar black trousers and tunics but without the elaborate stitching or the cloak. They had the look of guards, or soldiers, though they carried no visible weapons.

Leo’s half brother halted handshake distance from him, his guards a few paces behind. They studied each other. The Ataran prince’s face gave little away until he smiled, without warmth. He held out his hand to Leo.

“Brother. I am Crown Prince Adante. The king sends his greetings. He’ll receive you for an audience tomorrow morning. Until then, we have entertainment prepared.”

The formal speech, combined with Adante’s clothing and long hair, jarred in my brain. The difference, the pure foreignness of where we stood, sunk in. I felt sheltered, childish. Ill-equipped to play in the high-stakes game we’d begun.

Leo shook the prince’s hand. “Pleased to meet you, Brother. I appreciate your meeting with me in person. I look forward to our audience with the king. How is His Majesty?” He matched Adante’s formal cadence.

Adante appraised Leo from head to toe. What did he think of Leo’s clothes? His short hair? Did his lack of opulent finery make him appear lesser to the prince? “The king is well. He’s stepped back from court life because of his health, but he’s very much looking forward to meeting you. He still speaks of your mother.”

I drew in a breath and my body stiffened.

Leo didn’t react to the loaded comment. “I hope I’ll be able to take in some of Atar during my visit? And perhaps in the future, I’ll host you in Dexia.” He waved a hand at the rest of us. “As you can see, I brought only a small retinue. An adviser, two guards, and my consort.”

Adante studied us for the first time. His eyebrows rose when he reached Hex. “A female guard? Are such things common in Dexia?”

Leo played along. “Not especially, but becoming more so. I wanted a guard who could remain with my consort at all times when I’m not present.”

Adante’s dark gaze fell on me. He gave my body a cursory once-over before turning back to Leo. “She’s pretty, but we have much finer girls in the Palace Collection. You didn’t need to bring your own amusement.”

Nausea threatened. Amusement. Fuck. How far would Leo go to remain in character? Would Adante think it strange if he ignored the palace women?

Leo shook his head. “That won’t be necessary. I have this one trained how I like. Shall we go to our lodgings? It’s been a long journey.”

Adante nodded. “Of course. How many in your party are non-mages?”

“All of them, besides me.”

A flicker of surprise passed over Adante’s face. “I see. My men,”—he gestured to the silent, black-clad group behind him—“can transport a person. The trip is over an hour by crawler. How would you like to proceed?”

A shock ran through me. So many Ataran mages capable of teleporting another human? A feat that only Leo could do in Dexia. Their strength really was exceptional.

Leo glanced at the men. “We’ll all teleport. I’ll take my consort myself. Where are we going?”

Adante pulled out a link-up and showed Leo. “Here. We need to pass through the barrier first.” He held out his hand and a small gap appeared in the shining wall, just enough to allow us through. Once we were in, it snapped shut. Fear sent my pulse racing, drying my mouth. Trapped.

Adante signaled his men, three of whom broke off and took positions next to Hex, Atalie, and Damien. Leo grabbed my arm without catching my eye, and we passed through the familiar moment of blackness.

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