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thirty

I met with Meli a few days after the meeting.

Robert had taken me on horseback and was now waiting outside of her apothecary while we convened inside.

As I read Meli’s energy, I could feel her overwhelming anxiety; it tasted sour in my mouth.

Her morning sickness made my own stomach queasy.

But it wasn’t all bad… there was a kernel of hope.

A tiny life force. No pain lived within this small miracle, only a warm glow.

“She feels strong and healthy.” I grinned, looking into Meli’s bright hazel eyes.

“She?” A smirk appeared on her face.

“Yes… Just a guess, of course.” I instantly regretted speaking so boldly, but Meli encouraged me.

“I think it’s a she as well,” she said, rubbing her belly that was just beginning to swell.

“I’ve never felt closer to my magic than I have while growing her. I can already feel flickers of her spirit inside of me, like a little ember. I can feel her magic inside of me. Odin and I have broken the blood curse for our child. She’ll never have to know what it feels like to be without magic.”

The light in her eyes gave me hope. Meli put her hands on mine. “You’ve had an emotional week. Anything you’d like to talk about?” She did a healing adjustment that left me feeling better than I had in days.

“I… I think I'm falling in love with Prince Galen, Meli. I feel like I’m losing control… as if I’m walking along a tight rope.

All it would take is one strong gust to send me sailing to my death.

The Elders will imprison me soon, if I don’t open a portal for them.

I’m desperate to help the humans here, but I don’t know how. I feel so lost. ”

I pulled my hand from hers. “No more healing, now that you’re caring for another. Save all your energy for her.”

“You sound like Odin. I refuse to stop. I’d rather slow down in other ways.

Helping people is what keeps me sane. If I stayed at home resting, I’d be sick with worry all the time.

” She gave me a knowing smile. “And losing control is part of falling in love. Being vulnerable is never easy. And I understand the precarious path that you walk because I walk it too. We’re all living in uncertain times.

You must have faith in yourself, in the universe.

You won’t let us down. I can feel your heart, see your soul.

Your spirit is strong— brave . I believe in you. ”

I wasn’t a patient person. I wanted to act .

I was desperate to do more . I didn’t want one more person to go missing because I hadn’t saved them in time.

Waiting was the hardest part. Every moment of ecstasy with Galen reminded me that I was letting myself get distracted from my larger purpose.

It was eating away at my morale. I was ready to face the Oracle, even if she killed me, at least I would’ve done something worthy of Meli’s admiration.

“Thank you, Meli. I’m grateful for you. Do you feel safe? I’m worried about you, with healers disappearing, on top of everything else…”

“We’re safe, I promise. Rafael’s friends have been staying close. And they’ve been helping us spread word to those we trust, human and Fae families that aren’t safe here. People will begin gathering in Monrovia over the next month. We’ll be ready to leave when you are.”

I raised a brow at Meli. “Rafael has friends?” He maintained an air of mystery, even though I saw him nearly every day.

She laughed. “Leon and Kaya. They both work for him and don’t seem to be affiliated with the Royal Fae Army.” She shrugged. “Not my business, but they’re nice.”

I pondered that. He’d never mentioned them to me, but not all of his secrets were for me to know. “I’m leaving for the Oracle with the Princes tomorrow. Hide yourselves until we return, please ,” I urged.

“We’ll be ready,” Meli said, resting a hand on her stomach. “And Marigold… All it takes is the right wave to bring renewed hope to the tide pools. You’re the wave we’ve been waiting for. With your presence alone, you’ve changed everything. Don’t forget the impact you’ve had on all of us.”

Galen appeared in my room, looking princely in his grey velvet uniform, leather armor, and sheathed sword.

It was the morning of our departure and I had clothing strewn around my floor and bed, thanks to a mad dash of last-minute packing.

We’d stayed up too late, enjoying each other’s company. I needed a strong tea. Several of them

He took in the scene with an arched brow. “Has Lusha packed what you’ll need? We’ll travel light so we can move quickly through the mountains. You’ll bring only what your horse can carry.”

“Yes, I’m ready. Relax , Galen.” He was bossy when he was stressed. I walked over to him, giving him a hug, before he leaned down and kissed the top of my head.

Lusha had packed my leather gear, tunics, pants, socks, a heavy coat, and a simple cotton dress.

I was wearing a pair of boots that laced past my ankles.

Practical attire for the adventure ahead.

She had braided my hair into a coronet, so that I wouldn’t have to worry about it while we were traveling.

“Very good. Let’s head down. My brothers are waiting,” Galen grumbled.

Louis had just returned home last night and looked as if he’d barely slept. He had on a wrinkled tunic and purple bags under his heavy-lidded eyes, but still managed to greet me with a warm smile in the courtyard. “I’ve missed you,” I said, pulling him in for a tight hug.

“Training with Raf that rough, huh?” He laughed as Rafael scowled at us.

He was especially stone-faced today, wearing a black ensemble that fit him like a glove. Sitting astride Zagreus, he looked like a brooding dark knight.

“He’s been quite helpful and surprisingly competent; however, he is much moodier than you. Like a surly pirate,” I teased, but Raf refused to meet my gaze.

Instead, he cleared his throat and addressed the group.

“The trail to the Oracle is steep and unforgiving. It’ll get colder and more dangerous the higher we climb.

We may run into faeries who are more animal than man.

Some prefer their animal form, some don't have enough magic to shift back. They’ll be hungry for blood, perhaps more.

” Raf turned to me, sharpening his gaze.

“You are to listen to us at all times. If we tell you to run, you run. Hide, you hide. Don’t attempt to fight unless you’re cornered—you aren’t ready.

And frankly, I'm sick of having to save your ass.” Shadows spilled around him as I resisted the urge to make a face at him.

Bossy when stressed was apparently a family trait.

“She’s not yours to command,” Galen growled at Rafael, holding the reins of my horse as I mounted Hibiscus. He took my hand and gave it a prolonged kiss. I sighed, trying not to roll my eyes at his alpha male bravado.

Louis got on his dapple grey horse, appearing stiff and resigned as he let out a loud sigh.

All three princes were in a mood today—a reminder of the dangers ahead.

And… I suspected they weren’t looking forward to spending so much quality time together.

Brotherly jaunts through the forest were rare for these three.

I’d unwittingly crashed a family reunion the day they found me in the woods.

Galen’s dark blue uhra floated next to Louis and his turquoise cloud, while Raf still appeared… soulless . He clearly wasn’t dead, and I no longer thought he was going to possess me with dark magic, but it was mysterious, much like the rest of him.

A flash of blonde hair appeared in my periphery and I turned to see Isla approaching, shining like dew in the soft morning light.

Galen looked taken aback, before quickly recovering.

He dropped my hand and walked over to her.

“I wanted to bring you something to keep you safe,” she said, presenting him with a bracelet.

“It’s white heather… for luck. I made it myself. ”

They smiled at each other as she tied it around his wrist. And then she reached up and kissed him on the cheek. “Be careful. I’ll miss you,” she crooned—loud enough for all of us to hear.

My wrath was fast and furious. Icy wind began to gust around me, spooking the horses, who nervously danced in place.

I was going to freeze the teeth out of her head.

But before I could, Raf blocked me and murmured, “Pull yourself together, Goldie. It’s just a bracelet.

” His jaw was clenched tight and Zag seemed to mirror him, bobbing his head up and down in agitation.

The wind instantly stopped, like I’d been slapped back into my senses.

I felt hot with shame. If anyone deserved my anger, it was Galen.

He was the one courting two women. I’d been foolish to assume she was out of the picture.

He had to keep courting her for appearances.

Logically, I knew this, but it didn’t stop the sting of jealousy.

I didn’t typically have to see them together.

Galen looked between her and I before saying, “Thank you,” to Isla. I commanded Hibiscus to move and gave Galen a frosty glare as I passed.

We began our journey with a group of six. Galen rode ahead with Robert. Instead of acting apologetic, he seemed to be angry with me . Fine, if that’s how he was going to be, then I’d just ignore him. I trailed behind with Raf and Louis. Sylvia’s assigned guard, Alaric, brought up the rear.

The first day was uneventful, trekking through the thick jungle as birds sang overhead. We journeyed through the day, stopping every few hours to relieve ourselves and eat. I spotted the red bird I’d seen at the beach—just a glimpse, and it was gone.