Page 18

K ian

The sound of approaching horses grows louder, accompanied by the creaking of wheels and the jingle of harnesses. I look out the window and see a wagon approaching. It is being pulled by two sturdy draft horses and is making its way up the path to the cabin.

Orion looks over my shoulder. “They went to Trinity Orphanage to deliver supplies to the children.”

My chest tightens. Another piece of my past, another friend I thought I’d lost forever. We were close once, before Snow’s magic tore our lives apart. We were almost like brothers. I feel a sharp pang.

The wagon pulls to a stop outside, and I watch through the window as two figures climb down.

Xander looks exactly as I remember him, though perhaps more weathered.

His long, dark hair is tied back, and even from here, I can see the vivid blue of his eyes.

Beside him is a woman I don’t recognize.

She is clearly human, dressed in well-worn leathers, with multiple weapons strapped to her person.

Her dark hair is tightly braided, and everything about her stance screams warrior.

All three of them are married or about to be. Everything has changed, and it feels like I was left behind.

“Are you sure you can wield magic?” Orion asks me for the second or third time.

“Very. I would show you, but I might just blow the roof off of this cabin.”

“Don’t do that,” Damon grumbles.

Xander and his wife disappear for a while. I assume to tend to the beasts. We make small talk until the door to the cabin opens, and Xander steps inside, his blue eyes immediately finding mine. For a moment, neither of us moves. Then his face breaks into a grin that reveals those familiar fangs.

“Well, I’ll be damned,” he says, his voice exactly as I remember it. “Kian. I knew you had awoken, but I didn’t know you were here. You’re back.”

Before I can respond, he’s crossed the room and pulled me into a fierce embrace. The familiarity of it, the solid reality of having another piece of my past restored, threatens to overwhelm me.

“It’s good to see you,” I choke out.

“You too, brother,” he murmurs, using the term we’d always used for each other despite not sharing blood.

“It’s good to be back, although I wish it were under better circumstances,” I manage, my voice rough. I pat his back with the flat of my hand.

He pulls away, holding me at arm’s length to study my face. “You look like hell.” He laughs. “Are you growing a beard?” Then he turns serious. “You smell like you rolled around in a lit fire. Rough around the edges, but at least you’re alive. That’s what matters.”

The woman behind him clears her throat, and Xander turns, his entire demeanor softening as he looks at her.

“This is my wife, Thesha,” he says, pride evident in his voice. “Thesha, meet Kian. The King of the emptyfae and my dear friend.”

She steps forward, and I can see the assessment in her dark eyes as she looks me over. Everything about her radiates competence and danger, from the way she moves to the casual way her hand rests near one of her weapons.

We shake hands, and hers are the calloused hands of someone used to hard work and wielding a sword.

“It’s good to meet you, Kian,” she says with a slight nod, though there’s something formal and distant in her tone. “I’ve heard so much about you.”

“You too, Thesha, although I’m not sure what you saw in this rascal that made you want to marry him.” I glance at Xander, who grins.

“That’s not very nice.” Xander laughs.

“He’s good at one or two things,” Thesha says, winking at her husband.

“Spare us.” Orion laughs.

We all laugh, but the tension soon returns as Thesha’s gaze shifts to McColl, who’s been standing quietly beside me. I see the warrior woman’s eyes narrow slightly.

“I’m McColl,” she quickly says before I can introduce her. “I’m…um…a friend of Kian’s.”

The temperature in the room seems to drop several degrees. Thesha’s hand moves fractionally closer to her sword, and I see Xander’s nostrils flare slightly as he scents the air.

He must scent magic on her because he says, “A witch.” It’s not a question.

“Yes,” McColl says, lifting her chin a little.

“Not this again,” I mutter. “McColl is a friend and someone I trust with my life. She also happens to be a witch.”

“You trust her with your life,” Thesha says coolly. “How long have you known her?”

“That isn’t important. We’ve been through a lot…more than most in a whole lifetime. She’s proven to me that I can trust her, and that’s all that counts.”

The tension is thick enough to cut with a blade. Maya shifts uncomfortably in her chair, while Orion moves protectively closer to his wife. Damon and Kyrie exchange a meaningful look, which I don’t like much.

I can see that my earlier words haven’t helped assuage the concern still reflected in both Thesha and Damon’s gazes. The others, too, if I’m honest.

“McColl helped me escape,” I say firmly. “Without her, I’d still be trapped in the Emptyfae Court, back in the mines, or dead. She risked her life to help me and has risked her life several times since,” I try to spell it out.

The silence stretches uncomfortably. I can feel McColl’s tension as she clenches her hands in her lap. I understand where they are coming from since we’ve all learned to be suspicious of anyone new, especially after what Snow has done to us.

“Why don’t we sit, and I’ll tell you everything that happened?” I suggest, hoping to defuse the situation. “Then you can judge for yourselves.” I give McColl what I hope is a reassuring look.

She remains unreadable, although I can tell she’s upset.

It takes a few long, awkward moments before Xander nods, giving me a tight smile. Thesha starts to argue, but he takes her hand, and she closes her mouth, nodding, too. It is clear that she doesn’t like this at all.

The fire dies down to embers as I recount our escape from the Emptyfae Court, our flight through the wasteland, the encounters with the guards, the conjurer, and finally, our rescue by Orion. I stick to the main facts, but I make sure they understand how crucial McColl’s help was at every step.

McColl stays silent, and I can’t say I blame her.

When I finish, the room is quiet except for Maya’s soft breathing as she dozes in her chair, her hand still on her belly.

Outside the windows, night has fallen.

Kyrie jumps up to light a few candles and lanterns. Damon tosses a few logs onto the fire, stirring it up until it catches. I hadn’t realized how dark it was until this moment.

“You’ve both been through hell.” Xander looks at McColl and then back at me.

“And you can really access your magic now?” Damon asks, leaning forward. “I still don’t understand how that’s possible.”

“Neither do I,” I admit. “All I know is that when I broke the chain holding McColl’s amulet during the eclipse, something changed. For both of us.” I glance at McColl.

“The eclipse,” Kyrie muses. “There are old stories about eclipses being times of great magical change when the barriers between realms are thin. Mother Trinity spoke of it a few times. We all thought them to be old wives’ tales, but perhaps not.”

“This lady you speak of is wise indeed. She was right,” McColl says, her voice soft. “I’m sure the eclipse has something to do with it.”

“Who knows for sure?” I add. “Whatever the cause, I’m grateful for it. If we can find out how it was done, perhaps it can be replicated.”

“You mean to other emptyfae?” McColl asks, frowning.

I nod. “When the time comes, we’re going to need every advantage we can get against Snow.”

Thesha has been silent throughout my story, but now she stands abruptly.

“Kian, Xander and I would like to speak with you…alone. No offense, McColl, but this is between us. I feel for you…I do, but I still can’t fully trust you, and that’s the long and the short of it.

I don’t know you. Neither does Kian; not really. ”

“Don’t—” I start to say when McColl holds up her hand.

“It’s fine. I understand. The witch community has kept to itself since the beginning of time.

We don’t mingle with humans…ever. We had an understanding with the fae before Snow’s rule, but we were never on great terms. Since Snow, we have become full-blown enemies.

It must be strange for you to see a witch and a fae on good terms, but here we are.

” She looks at me in a way that has warmth spreading in my chest. “Go and have your meeting. I will be fine,” she tells me before looking at the others.

“I hope that in time, you will learn to trust me, but I understand that trust is earned. Sometimes it’s hard-earned… which is fine.”

Once again, I feel that warmth in my chest at her words.

“I’ll get you something to eat, McColl.” Kyrie gives McColl a tight smile. Perhaps my explanation won over one person, at least. Damon still doesn’t look convinced, but he doesn’t say anything.

Orion puts a blanket over his wife. It is clear that his focus is elsewhere.

Xander gets to his feet and goes to stand next to his wife, taking her hand in his. He is standing with her on this.

I sigh. Perhaps I can convince them. I hope that I can.

“We’ll be right back,” I tell McColl.

“Take your time,” she says, following Kyrie to the hearth. “But not too long, or I will finish all the food.” She smiles, but it’s strained.

“Don’t you dare.” I smile back.

Thesha takes a lantern from the table, and we step outside into the cool evening air. We walk away, not getting far, when Xander’s wife turns to face me.

“I know you don’t know me, but…” She sighs. “You’re making a mistake trusting the likes of her.” She gestures toward the cabin. “I have had a few clashes with witches in my time, and none of them have been much fun. They are all evil b—”

“Thesha—” Xander starts, but she cuts him off with a sharp gesture.

“No, let me get this out.” She looks back at me. “I understand you’ve been through a traumatic experience, and we’re grateful this woman helped you escape. But you cannot let gratitude cloud your judgment.”