Page 78 of A Warrior's Heart

“Yes.” His voice sounded just as drained as he looked. “Though, that’s worsened too. When I wake, I can taste the smoke from the burning kingdom. Saltwater fills my nostrils. The screams of the dying echo in my mind. I’m beginning to confuse reality with dreams.”

Malik took Lorcan’s face in his hands, his orange eyes scrutinizing him like a parent would their sick child. “You should rest, my prince.”

“I’m fine, Malik.”

“That wasn’t a request.” Malik stepped back from him. “Some rest will do you good.”

Lorcan nodded and headed toward his cabin, stumbling a little and having to catch himself on the edge of a barrel. Alek rushed to his side and guided him the rest of the way.

As I stared after my friend, I wondered how many more days he could go before he collapsed.

“Is the trident doing this to him?” I asked.

“Perhaps.” Eva pushed up the sleeves on her tunic. The sun was blazing down on us that day without a cloud in the sky to help block its unrelenting heat. The air held a chill, though, especially when the wind blew. “Objects imbued with magic can take a toll on those who wield it, until the wielder learns to control it anyway. Lorcan hasn’t wielded the trident yet, but his blood is laced within the magical runes that give it its power. The closer he gets to it, the stronger the connection between him and the weapon becomes. They feed off each other, making his visions more intense, while at the same time, waking the trident from its rest. Or that’s my theory.”

“Will he be all right?”

“Yes.” Eva squeezed my shoulder. “Fret not, little brother. You forget who you’re speaking to. Would I ever allow our Loo-loo to come to any harm?”

I shook my head.

“There’s your answer then.” She gave me a reassuring smile. “All things pass. And this shall too. All will be well once he finds the trident and claims it for his own.” She looked toward Alek as he walked back on deck. “We have more training to do.”

“I’d rather not today,” Alek said in a dejected tone, worry creasing the edges of his eyes. “I can’t think of silly spells when my mate is hurting.”

“Thosesilly spellsmight very well save your mate’s life one day,” Eva snapped. “Your son’s life too. Now stop your damned moping and get over here.”

The mention of his son seemed to light a fire under him. Alek breathed deep before joining Eva beside the mast. She pulled the tie on her hair, letting the blonde strands fall around her face.

“Make my hair brown.”

Alek frowned. “That’s simple.”

“If it’s so simple, you should have no problem doing it.”

Sighing, Alek waved his hand across her hair, the blonde strands darkening from root to tip.

“Now make my eyes green.”

Alek obeyed.

“Wow, Eva,” I said, cocking my head at her. “You look like a different person altogether.” My big mouth broke Alek’s concentration, and the spell broke with it. Her hair and eyes returned to their normal shade. “Oops.”

“You must learn to tune out distractions,” Eva told Alek. “Have you forgotten everything I taught you from our time in Avalontis? All the months we spent training together, were they a waste?”

“My powers were stronger in Avalontis,” Alek shot back, anger filling his tone. “Dark magic coursed through my veins back then. Powerful magic I didn’t even know how to control. That magic left me when I was killed. Or haveyouforgotten?” Alek’s voice grew louder as his emotions got the better of him. “My powers are weak in this body. I can protect no one! I can do nothing but parlor tricks. So lay off me goddammit.”

Malik appeared at my side, putting himself between me and Alek. I knew he was remembering the time in the past when Alek lost control of his temper and hurt Lorcan with his magic. He had hurt Malik and Reif too. He’d had a different body back then, different powers, yet the memory was still there.

“Calm yourself, mage,” Malik growled.

The fight left Alek when he looked around to see us all watching him. “I… I apologize.” He cleared his throat, his chin trembling just like his hands. “Excuse me.”

He walked to his cabin.

“The stress is getting to him,” Eva said, her brows pulling together. “Every night for the past week he’s watched over Lorcan while he slept, being there for him when the nightmares take hold. Add that to his worry over this mission and what happens after Lorcan finds the trident… and, well, I’m surprised he didn’t snap sooner.”

“What do you mean by ‘after Lorcan finds the trident’? The battle?”