Page 5 of Crown of Mist and Heat

"Do you think that isn't something I'd look into? That Cavan wouldn't have looked into? Ryze too. I promise you, there were no alphas there apart from Jezalyn. My spies in the Winter Court say you went into heat shortly after Hycanthe. You would have gone through yours while she and Jezalyn transitioned. In the event everyone was in agreement, Jezalyn would have been unable to help you. Hycanthe's heat triggered her transition as well as her own. Jezalyn might havetriedto help you, instinctively, but that would have killed her. Mid-transition is the most dangerous time."

Dalyth took a couple of steps towards me. "So, you see, you couldn't have stayed with the caravan or the Temple. Until we knew exactly who was an omega, or an alpha, we had to bring you to a safe place. Safe for everyone."

"Great." I raised my hands and dropped them to my sides. "We're safe. You won't mind if we leave now."

"I do mind," she said. "Hycanthe has yet to learn how to use her magic properly. I'd bet you haven't either."

I didn't have to answer, the twitch of my mouth told her everything she needed to know.

"I thought so. I can teach you how to use it."

"Why would you do that?" I asked. What the hells was in it for her?

"Like I said, I know exactly what you went through." Her voice was low now, soothing. Like an omega who wanted her alpha to buy her expensive jewelry. Like she was trying to convince me she was my friend.

"We have something else in common. A combination of hot and cold. My father was a Fae from the Summer Court. I spent my transition heat with an alpha from the Winter Court."

She looked sly, clearly trying to convince me she spent her first heat with Ryze. He'd mentioned knowing her, but never said how. Had they really—

That was a mental image I didnotwant in my brain. If anything, it made me want to freeze hers even more. I was pissed off with him, but he was still mine.

I pushed away my annoyance and shrugged. "So what?"

"So, when you try to use magic, you feel like something is missing, don't you? The power is there, but there's some key element that isn't in place. Another reason you should have been here for your heat. It's much easier to manage one type of magic than trying to combine two. If you'd had your transition heat with Cavan instead, your magic would be perfectly aligned."

"What is Hycanthe's?" I asked. Her heat took place here, but with two part Fae-part humans taking part, things might be different again.

"We're not sure," Dalyth admitted. "We only know of one other transitioned alpha. It's definitely had an impact on her magic." She shot both women a quick glance, accusing or frustrated. Either way, it didn't seem like it fit into Cavan's plans.

Excuse me if I didn't feel bad about that.

"It seems to me like you're messing with something you shouldn't be messing with," I said. "Why start all of this in the first place?"

Her expression shut down immediately. "All you need to know is I'll train you to use your magic. You'll stay here with the other omegas. And before you think it, the atrium is warded against anyone making a portal in or out. There are guards on the door all the time. For your safety, of course."

I snorted. "Of course." Hycanthe was right. From one gilded cage to another. Only this cage, I had no intention of staying in. Not a moment longer than I had to.

She smiled as though there was no hint of sarcasm in my tone. I doubted she missed it. She was too astute for that. She was the kind of woman who didn't miss much.

"Good, I'll be back first thing in the morning to start your lessons. You'll find a spare nest in the room at the end. Make yourself comfortable. You're a member of the Summer Court now. Don't worry, we'll ensure a suitable alpha is ready for your next heat. Cavan himself, if you're lucky."

Lucky wasn't the word I was thinking of. Like Ryze, Cavan had Fae arrogance to spare. He was fully aware of his power. That made him both compelling and extremely dangerous.

"Wonderful." There was more of my sarcasm. "I can't wait."

"Of course you can't," she said, all honey and light. "It's an honour to be chosen by a High Lord." She seemed to believe every word she was saying. Maybe she did. She was welcome to all of them except Ryze. Especially Harel. The High Lord of Autumn gave me the creeps even more than she did.

She swept out of the room without another word, closing the door firmly behind her.

Hycanthe made a rude sound under her breath. "I can't stand that woman. If she got the chance, she'd separate Jezalyn and me and throw me at whatever alpha she thinks I should fuck."

"I won't let her separate us," Jezalyn said, curling her fingers around Hycanthe's. "You're mine and I'm yours, and that's that."

"We should get out of here before she tries," I said. "Neither of us like the idea of being offered up to some strange alpha. Whatever it is they want with us and our magic, that's bad enough. What if they decide to go further? I don't think either of us wants to be bred to make some super-powerful Fae or whatever shit they might think."

My stomach turned at the thought.

"I'd sooner throw myself out the window," Hycanthe declared. "Or set myself on fire. Or let Khala freeze my brain." She could have gone on for hours, but we understood.

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