Page 44 of Joined By Magic

Peter nodded, then squared his shoulders. “Right, then.”

He walked forward. As soon as he touched the glowing blue corona, it stretched out, engulfing him like a living liquid and drawing him inside. Atalie gasped, hand to her mouth.

“I know it looks scary, but it’s fine. That’s what’s meant to happen.” Leo waved an impatient hand. “Come on. You’re next.”

The group trickled through one by one until only I remained. Leo squeezed my shoulder. “You go through and I’ll follow, just in case.”

I gritted my teeth. I shouldn’t be frightened—I’d teleported hundreds of times. But this felt different. My instincts screamed at me to run from the thing. Instead, I forced myself to step toward it and touched a shaking hand to the glow. Three steps. That was all.

I’d been ready for cold, so the soft, embracing warmth of the magic came as a shock. It spread up my arm and covered me in a gentle cocoon of light. Eyes still open, my vision tinged with blue and filled with dancing motes of something. The constant swirling made it hard to keep my feet.

Terror warred with wonder in my chest. I uprooted one foot and pushed forward.

The expected resistance didn’t come, and I lurched ahead, almost stumbling. A sound hit my ears like wind during a thunderstorm, high and piercing. My entire world was cold blue light and incongruous, sensual warmth. I took a second step.

What would happen if I fell? Or stopped here for a while? Was it possible to get lost? All important questions I couldn’t think about right now. One more step.

The magic ejected me, and I stumbled into a very different kind of heat. The desert air burned my lungs as I dropped to my knees, strength failing. Strong arms pulled me up and set me on my feet. Damien. I blinked as the bright sunlight assaulted my retinas.

When my vision cleared, I took in the scene. A small cluster of Atarans in palace guard uniforms stood to one side with a tall, curly-haired man whose face chilled my blood. Garron, Adante’s former right-hand man, who had betrayed him. Even though he was on our side now, I couldn’t quite forgive him for slipping the poison into my drink. I hadn’t forgotten the blistering agony.

Garron nodded. “Welcome, Miss Spencer.”

I returned the nod. The formality of my new position would require some mental adjustment. I still associated “Miss Spencer” with my students. Hearing it from adults felt wrong.

The desert stretched out around us. The portal, a twin of the Dexian version, looked even stranger here than it did at home, jutting out of the sand like some ancient monument. Wind whipped sand into my eyes, and I screwed them up as I shrugged out of my coat. Everyone else was just as uncomfortable, pulling off clothing and shielding their eyes.

My new home.

Leo emerged from the portal. The blue magic clung to him as he stepped out before sliding off with what seemed like reluctance. Did the magic recognize him? No, that was stupid. It wasn’t sentient. The Ataran group all dropped into low bows.

That would take some getting used to as well.

The sun reflected off Leo’s silver clothing with painful brilliance. He nodded to the welcome retinue, then sought me out, meeting my gaze. I smiled but didn’t approach him. I’d spent so little time in public with Leo the crown prince that I wasn’t sure how to behave. What level of normal behavior and familiarity was acceptable? Atarans valued protocol and respect so highly, I didn’t want to screw up.

Garron stepped forward. “Your Highness, His Majesty has requested an immediate audience.”

Leo’s face gave nothing away. “Of course. Please ensure rooms are assigned for all my party. I’ll take Liv and”—he hesitated for the briefest of moments—“my father to my personal suite. You’ll see to everyone else?”

“Yes. Right away.”

Leo took Andrew’s hand and vanished. A moment later, he returned, took my arm, and we reappeared in our suite of rooms, the cool air a welcome balm. The three of us stared at each other. Andrew’s kind face was set in hard lines, his knuckles white where he clutched his bag. Leo stepped forward and tried to guide him to a sofa, but his dad waved him off.

“I’m fine.” The brittle edge to his voice told otherwise.

Leo looked between Andrew and me and sighed. “I’d better go. I need to smooth things over.” He leaned down for a quick kiss. “Call down to the kitchens for food.”

“I will.” I squeezed his hand. He smiled sadly and left, through the door for once.

Andrew collapsed onto the sofa, eyes closed. A great sigh issued from his lips. I rushed to get him a glass of water and sat down next to him.

“What are we going to do, Liv?” Andrew’s voice was quiet. Exhausted. “We’re in rather the same boat here, aren’t we? Spare parts, no real role to play. You’ll find something, I have no doubt, but I’m too old to start over. And I don’t know how I’ll contain my disgust if I come face-to-face with him. I’m not sure how Leo does it.”

“It’s hard for him too. It tears at him. But he has to deal with the king. He doesn’t have any choice.”

Andrew took a long sip of water.

“Choice is something we all take for granted until it’s lost to us.” Andrew’s gaze sharpened, focused on me. “Something you’d know better than most. I apologize. After what you’ve had to cope with, you must find me terribly self-indulgent.”

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