Page 45

I remember my teachings.

Damon became the king when his brother was struck down by Snow’s evil stepmother. It’s when Snow became corrupted and turned into a tyrant.

The only person who remains sitting is the heavily pregnant woman; she has curly blonde hair and big, bright blue eyes. Her hands are resting on her enormous belly. She’s dressed in a pretty yellow dress that flows to the ground.

“It’s about time you woke up and joined us,” Damon says as he walks up to Kian. They hug. It’s over quickly. “This is my soon-to-be wife, Kyrie.” His whole stance softens as he looks at the dark-haired beauty.

Kian shakes her outstretched hand.

“I’ve heard a lot about you.” Her gaze moves to me. “I’m Kyrie.”

“McColl. I’m…um…a…I’m a friend of Kian’s.” It feels weird to call myself his friend, and even weirder to say his actual name out loud.

“Good to meet you,” Kyrie says. We briefly clasp hands.

“I’m Maya,” the pregnant lady says. She is smiling broadly. “Excuse me, but I’ll stay sitting. Is that okay?”

“Maya is my wife,” Orion says, getting on his knees before the woman in question. He nuzzles his face into her belly. “And this is my unborn child. Due any day now.”

“I certainly hope so,” Maya says, looking tired. “It feels like I have been pregnant for an age.” She rubs a lazy circle on her belly as soon as Orion gets back to his feet. I note how he keeps his hand on his wife’s shoulder. “It shouldn’t be long at all.” She gives Orion a stern look.

“I made it back, sweetheart.” He looks over at us. “My wife was afraid that I would miss the birth of our child if I rescued you two. We could sense where you were. It was long enough for me to find you. If I could find you, then so couldshe. I had no choice, love. It was a good thing I went, or they would have been captured.” He squeezes his wife’s shoulder.

“So, you almost left us to rot,” Kian says, his voice laced with good humor.

Orion smiles. “It was touch and go.”

“Looks like a lot has happened while I…was lost,” Kian says, looking at each of them in turn.

“Indeed,” Damon says.

“Where are my manners?” Kyrie says. “You must be starving.”

“Famished,” I say. “Wielding magic will do that to a person.” My stomach grumbles, and I put a hand on it.

Kyrie’s eyes narrow and then dart to my ears.

“McColl is a witch,” Kian says, sounding gruff. “She was captured by the emptyfae – same as me – who were using her to extract magic from my people. She is—”

“You’re a witch?” Kyrie says, her eyes still narrowed with suspicion.

“McColl helped me escape,” Kian says. “If we hadn’t worked together, I wouldn’t be here. I assure you that she is trustworthy and someone I am honored to call a friend.”

“A friend?” Orion says, a smile toying with the corners of his mouth. His eyes glint.

“Yes, a friend.” Kian’s eyes blaze. “I would appreciate it if you would accept her…that you welcome her without prejudice.”

“Very well. If she is a friend of yours, then we extend a welcome,” Kyrie concedes with a nod.

Damon still eyes me with suspicion.

“Very well,” Orion says. “But know that my top priority is to keep my family safe. I won’t hesitate to—”

“None of that will be necessary,” Kian says, his jaw tight.

They don’t want me here. That much is clear. I don’t want to cause any trouble. “If you would prefer I leave, I can go. All I ask is for some—”

“No,” Kian says in a clipped tone. “You can stay. I need your help learning how to wield my newly accessible magic. Then I need your help with the other thing we discussed.”