Page 59 of Fate Promised

Arrow’s head drooped. Triska walked over and petted him along his neck. “He did a good job. He kept you safe.”

Koschei waved his hand and dried their clothing. He waved his hand again, and his clothing transformed into a black tunic with gold lining, matching pants, and a luxurious deep blue cloak fastened with a flourish around his shoulders. Purple flashed from his fingertips, and the door behind them swept closed. He snapped his fingers. “I’ve lit the fires, it should warm soon.”

“I want to check every inch,” Juri said. “If Morana got in here, other things may have too.” He turned to her. “Are you sure you feel all right? The lightning hit you hard.” A muscle ticked in his jaw, and his words were tight. As if he were angry with her.

She rubbed her chest. “It feels raw, like it’s burned, but Koschei healed it. There’s no pain. I’m fine.”

“Have Fergal check again.”

It wasn’t necessary, but Juri’s expression was so dark and foreboding she didn’t argue.

Koschei waved his hand. “I should be the one walking through my palace, making sure everything is as it seems.”

Juri growled. “I can do it best.” The two of them strode a few steps away, arguing back and forth.

Fergal ushered her toward a low sofa against the wall. She sank onto the crushed velvet, wincing.

“What happened?” Fergal asked. Fergal hadn’t seen her get hit, and he was with Arrow up near the palace when Koschei healed her.

Triska pulled down the neck of her shirt, revealing blackened marred skin where the lightning had struck her above the rune mark. She told him what happened on the cliffs, at least what she could remember. When the bolt hit her, she’d blacked out for a moment.

He snorted. “The vulk was right to have me recheck.”

“Koschei already helped. And he said my ring protected me.”

“Even if Koschei’s magic is back, I’m sure I’m much better at healing than he is.” He squinted and touched the ring on her neck, rubbing it between his forefinger and thumb. “He was right about this, though. It’s powerful. This ring saved your life.”

“It was a gift a long time ago. Why would it have power?”

Fergal shrugged. “Some things can’t be explained. All right, let’s finish fixing you up.” He lifted his palm … and nothing happened. His mouth puckered, and he cursed. “No magic for me down here.” Koschei was still arguing with Juri. Fergal waved at him. “Hey, royal emperor, get over here.”

Juri turned his back on Koschei and strode back to her side. Koschei scowled but also joined them. “You got my title wrong.”

“Pah, what was it? Your royal Deathless One? Has a real ring to it. Think you can manage a ball of healing salve?”

“I already healed her.”

Fergal glowered. “You’re rusty.”

Koschei raised his hand and shaped a small ball of white in his palm. He spoke a few arcane phrases. Fergal plucked it from him like it was a fluff of cotton. “Here, put this over the wound.”

Triska picked up the white ball, its warmth reminding her of the way her own magic flowed through her. The ball melted onto the skin of her chest, and the tight seared flesh smoothed except for one slim white line.

“I’m going to check the palace and make sure it’s safe now,” Juri said, his gaze guarded and cold. “You all stay here.” He didn’t wait for a reply.

Koschei crossed his arms. “I can give him a full report on my palace. Everything is secure.”

It couldn’t have been more than a half hour, but it felt like days before Juri tromped back to them. When their eyes met, instead of the flare of warmth she normally saw, his expression remained cool. Stoney.

Juri growled, his eyes growing an even darker crimson. “The palace is safe, but I don’t know what lies outside. Are you certain we can’t bring the stairs back to return to Ulterra?”

Koschei lips tightened. “I’m certain.”

Triska’s shoulders drooped. How were they going to get back?

Juri growled. “Hoyt is up there, with free rein to do what he wants. We need to get back. As soon as possible.” Juri paused, and his brow furrowed. “An ala was helping him.”

Triska sucked in a breath. “An ala? Are there any of them still alive?” Alas took the form of great ravens and were notorious for their foul temper. In human form, they took on the figure of a woman with light blue skin and white hair.

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