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As a bodyguard,Mehl had learned how to split his focus, observing the world around him for any threat despite anything else requiring his concentration. That skill served him well now—though it wasn’t easy. Not long had passed, but his head throbbed already from having his physical eyes open to search for danger while his inner eye followed his spouses along the endless tapestry of fathomless magic.

Mehl could perform a few spells, but this…this was far beyond him. He could barely tell that the fragment Toren studied contained something that might be words. Maybe a message? He didn’t bother to find out. He was content to trust his husband’s report on the matter, and there was an understanding in Ria’s thoughts that suggested she saw more than Mehl could, too. They would handle the magic part.

His concern was whether they would do so safely.

As such, Mehl kept his mental view on his spouses as they set to work. If not for the worry forming a lump in his throat, he might have been fascinated. He’d never had a chance to observe something like this. While he watched, Toren’s link to Ria strengthened a moment before he connected directly into the thread of magic—but then Ria touched the line of power herself.

Mehl’s hand tightened around the hilt of his knife in reflex. What was she doing? He studied her, mentally and physically, for any sign of distress, but to his surprise, he found none. Whatever strength the kingdom’s magic held, it bore no danger for their wife. At least not yet. Toren began to channel a little of his magic to her without any sign of a qualm.

Regardless, Mehl couldn’t relax. Though their magic appeared to work well together, he couldn’t shake the feeling that trouble loomed just out of reach. He split his attention again, but only long enough to check with their bodyguards and then Sir Macoe. All was well, though the captain still waited for his sister to arrive after completing a healing.

His stomach lurched. Why hadn’t they waited until the healer was present?

But though his instincts grumbled a protest, Mehl didn’t interrupt Toren and Ria. Yes, he would watch. If disaster threatened, he would simply have to mitigate it.

* * *

Little by little,Toren released his power into Ria, but each bit he gave was a battle. Yes, she could withstand his magic. She’d channeled his energy before, even since falling pregnant. But to this level? His power squirmed and strained against his hold as though sensing its ultimate purpose waiting on the other side of his link with Ria.

His blood practically vibrated, a sort of resonance with the magic of Llyalia—and his Eyamiri ancestors. He could almost hear their whispers, urging him to let go. To see their kingdom changed by their new queen’s hand. Yes, Ria was always meant to be theirs, but not just for his and Mehl’s sake.

For everyone’s.

“Toren,”Ria snapped suddenly into his mind.“I can’t alter anything if you won’t give me your energy. This won’t respond tomymagic at all.”

It wouldn’t? He tucked that curious fact aside and took a deep breath, reaching a mental hand to Mehl for steadiness. Then slowly, he began to pry open the shields he’d fought so long to maintain. But he didn’t open all of them. Gods help him, not all. If he harmed her by releasing too much…

“I will stop you if it comes to that,”Mehl whispered.

And with that assurance, Toren let go.

* * *

Seeingthe shape of what she was supposed to change without the ability to do so? It was torment. Like the light of false hope flickering in the shadows, only to disappear before one neared it. She was so close she could almost breathe the shape of the words formed into that thread, but they would react to nothing that wasn’t meshed with Toren’s power.

When his guard finally eased and true magic poured in, she sighed in relief. Finally. Prepared as she was, the force of Toren’s power didn’t strain her mind, though this time, she didn’t channel it away into the ground. Instead, she poured it into her own pool of magic, letting their energy merge.

Hours could have passed as she began to rework the thread—coaxing, shifting, changing. Her words had to be shaped and molded with care, their intent and meaning reinforced time and again. Silently, she prompted Toren as needed and listened to his direction in return.Connect the proclamation here. The seal for the vault must be linked in there.Every detail she could imagine, she formed into that space.

Faithfully, she kept to Toren’s given law.

Except in one thing.

There would be no hidden assassins lingering on those lists. Before taking the throne, the next in line would be tested against this thread, and any who had purposely harmed a previous monarch would be stricken from the list. Marked a traitor, punishable by death. If they refused to submit to the test, they would not be able to rule at all.

Through their link, she felt Toren startle at the addition, but he didn’t refute it.

Good.

She was nearly done forming the change. Now she had to lock it in, fully replacing the inheritance challenge in the process. This was where the bulk of the energy would be required—and where her own doubts hovered. Could she really control this? It was here, perfect to her sight. Ready for that last bit of alteration. But was she strong enough?

“You must,”Toren sent, his mental voice trembling with strain.“I’m not sure I can fight my shields back into place until you’ve redirected some of this power. Just…”

No time to think—not with his energy ready to consume them.

Quickly but carefully, Ria merged and shifted, blended and wove.It must be a perfect fit, indistinguishable from the original.But such a thing took more magic than she’d ever handled. Before long, she began to pull at Toren’s energy more than simply receive.

Was she hurting him? Gods, she’d better not be—