Page 35 of The Rowan's Stone
Lucifer agrees and picks up his phone to shoot the same inquiry to his network.
Theron stops texting. “Valerian, we need to speed up our visit to your kingdom. Find a way to resolve your issues this week.”
Valerian scowls but agrees.
Lucifer stands and stretches. “I’ll continue to need Daire’s help for the next week to get things settled, but I’ll let you know if anyone gets back to me. Astor, you’re welcome to come back with us. I could use your help to weed out the liars in my court.”
Astor looks up in surprise. “I can come for a day or two, but I have something important to settle here.” He turns his gaze toward me, trying to silently communicate something, but I’m not sure I understand.
Hope makes my heart race, but I don’t let it take flight. Hearing it, Daire’s icy blue eyes dart to mine, and he raises an eyebrow. I smile to reassure him, and he dips his chin in acknowledgement, but I can see him wondering what caused it.
I smile at Astor. “Before you go, would you mind walking Theron and I through the work you completed on the documents? We need to find a name before we go to Valerian’s kingdom,” I remind him, waiting for his agreement.
My thoughts turn to the Primary, and I shiver, thinking about the power behind the person. Who the hell am I up against? And why?
My phone pings, and I jump. Raising it up, I see a text from Astor.
Astor: I’m sorry. I’ve been trying to say those words to you for over a week. Don’t give up on me. I may not know what to do, but I know walking away isn’t the answer. I want more. More mornings in bed, more of your bad jokes, more pain from your sweet little lies, more days spent riding the wind with you wrapped around me. Is it enough?
Arden: It’s enough. I won’t miss you. Hurry home.
21
FALLON
Arden walks into the lobby the next morning, bleary-eyed and yawning, like she barely slept last night. I know I didn’t. Between dreams of the mountain crushing my men and me and thoughts of her, I haven’t been able to get a full night’s sleep since before the battle. Slipping on her jacket, she mumbles something about coffee and heads to the kitchen. A minute later, she’s back, thermos gripped in one hand and a banana in the other.
“Sorry, I didn’t sleep well last night,” she murmurs, cocking her head to the side. “You look like you didn’t either.”
“I didn’t,” I reply curtly, not wanting to discuss it. “Are you ready?”
She lifts her coffee as if to silently saylet’s go.
Opening a portal, I take her to our training area in the woods. I set down the backpack with our waters and snacks and give her a few minutes to eat her banana and drink some coffee. I’ve already had two cups this morning while watching the sunrise in the garden, or I’d probably be out of it myself.
“Want to talk about it?” I ask softly.
“Nothing to talk about really. I kept dreaming about the vision I had when I used the blood magic. Nothing like getting stabbed over and over to make you scared to fall asleep,” she replies darkly, her hand absently rubbing a spot on her chest. “Strangely, the vision is changing.” She frowns.
That’s weird. I make a note to text Astor later and see if this is normal. I don’t remember his visions changing after the ritual. “Are you good to train?”
She nods her head in agreement and finishes her coffee. “Okay, let’s do this.” Dropping the thermos beside the backpack, she waits for me to give her instructions.
“When we were on the battlefield, looking for Garrett, I felt something happening to me. Not only could I feel you, but I could sense every single one of my men. Their…essence, I think. Ever since I met you, I’ve felt you, but it was the first time I’ve ever felt others. I’d like to experiment with it today, if you don’t mind?” I pause and wait for her to answer.
She taps a finger to her mouth. “I’ve been thinking about it too. I know Solandis’ sister, the queen, can feel the Fae. She even knows which ones are light Fae versus dark Fae. As a prince, maybe this is an inherited power?”
“Exactly,” I reply, relieved to hear my thoughts echoed. “My father can do the same. What if I’m getting a new power? If I can recognize elves, maybe I can confirm whether or not you are Elven. I’m not sure where to start, but I was able to track Garrett once everyone touched me.” I sit down cross-legged on the ground and motion for her to do the same across from me.
Once she’s seated, I raise my hands and wait until she does as well, then I lace my fingers through hers. Sparks zing between our joined hands, and we both take deep calming breaths while we wait for it to settle down. When it’s more of a constant hum instead of a live wire, we’re ready.
“I’m going to close my eyes and see if I can feel you,” I tell her.
“Okay.”
My eyes drift closed, and I feel her instantly, physically of course, but also something else inside of her calls to me. I find a golden ball of power surrounding her soul, but it doesn’t feel familiar, and I realize it must be her witch power. But no matter where I search, I don’t find any other source of power.
Opening my eyes, I find her staring at me anxiously. “I don’t know. When we were searching for Garrett, I could feel something inside of you and the others. I can feel you, but I can’t recognize anything Elven.”
