Page 19 of Wind and Water (Reign of the Witch Queen #2)

“Our goal is to save Birdie Martin. Destroying the structure, while it would be nice and satisfying, is not imperative. We don’t know what it is.

We have no idea what kind of monsters she has inside.

If this is an obelisk, there could be fire demons or worse behind the walls.

” Liam’s voice is strong and calm. He’s every bit the son of a leader.

Looking at each centaur one by one, he gauges their expressions before focusing on Corell.

“I don’t disagree,” Corell begins. “How do we get Birdie out even if we don’t destroy that thing, which looms too close to the lands of my people. Do you have some plan in mind?”

Turning toward me, Liam looks conflicted. “You will have to agree to this.”

“If it brings my momma to safety, I’ll agree to anything.” My voice is clear and stronger than I feel.

His lips barely register a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. “We have only one choice. The only thing we have that the witch queen wants is Wren. To get her to come out of the tower and show us Birdie, we have to show her the prophesied human woman.”

“You would trade a life for a life?” Jadar stands and stomps his hooves.

It’s sweet the way the centaur has taken to me. I’m half afraid he has a crush and half flattered that it might be true. “I’m willing to save my mother no matter the cost, but I don’t think that’s what Liam has in mind, Jadar.”

“I want to provoke the witch queen. Venora is vain in the extreme. My parents have told me many stories of her exploits. I think we can enrage her enough to win this battle. The destruction of the tower will have to wait for another day.”

Wellon’s long blond hair is pulled back in a queue, and his thick arms are crossed over his chest. “And what if she sends her shadow demons to take revenge on our homes?”

“Farress will have the village secure.” There’s pride in Corell’s voice. “She’ll expect retaliation if we succeed, and she’ll be ready. The centaurs cannot be turned.”

Letting out a long breath, Liam slumps his shoulders. “Perhaps not, but you can be enslaved, and you can be killed. I don’t want either of those things for your people. I would much prefer our friendship to continue and to fight by your side in the coming war.”

“Elves and centaurs have not fought side by side since the old gods walked the land of Domhan.” There’s wonder in Belloc’s voice.

“Yet we are here together in a single cause.” Liam rises.

“I don’t know how it came to be that neither elf nor centaur broke the silence of these centuries, but I do not wish to return to ignorance.

My people think yours are vicious killers without moral sense or caring.

Now that I know this to be a lie, I’d be proud to fight with and for the centaurs. ”

Wellon says, “We were taught since birth that elves care only for themselves and would not lift a hand to save a centaur were they to find one dying in the river. I know now that this is not true. There is no haughtiness in Liam, son of Elspeth Riordan, though you are the only elf we’ve ever known. ”

With a laugh, Liam confesses, “I know a few elves who are ignorant and some who are haughty. I know many more elves who would be extremely happy to know centaurs are nothing like we have long believed. My mother would welcome you at her table and in her home.”

“This is dangerous for the centaurs.” Corell stares into the darkness.

Crossing the circle, Liam stands in front of Corell. “It is not my business. I apologize if I overstep. Can you give your mate a message to head north?”

“You ask a lot. If it were just for me, I would agree and risk everything to help.” He sighs. “A moment.”

Liam returns to my side while Corell closes his large, red eyes.

“What’s happening?” I lean toward Liam and whisper.

Voice hushed, Liam speaks into my ear. “Corell and Farress are true mates and can speak with their minds. They also rule the Western Centaurs together. He’ll not make such a decision without her full agreement and while ensuring the safety of his people.”

“How can you know all of that?”

He stares into my eyes. “Because it’s what I would do in his place.”

My heart expands inside my chest, and I cannot look away from his gaze.

I swallow hard and try to wrap my mind around how perfect he is while remembering why we’re sitting in this damp, horrible place, in a strange world, with very little chance of survival.

“How will we get Momma out of there without getting all of these centaurs killed or me taken by Venora?”

“Magic, sweetheart. You’re going to have to use your magic.” He shares his sexiest grin.

“You’ve lost your mind. I don’t even know how my magic works. Why don’t you use your own magic? Do you have magic besides mind control over unsuspecting humans?” My anger rises, but it’s more fear than rage.

“I do. You and I are going to work together. Magic is something we have to learn, but it’s also innate.

I’ll hide the centaurs and create a distraction.

With my help, you can make this work, but you’re going to have to trust me the same way I trust in you.

” In front of a dozen centaurs, Liam cups my face in both of his hands.

“I have complete faith in you, Wren. Your magic is exactly what this situation calls for.”

“Is this all some crazy leap of faith about oracles and prophesies?” There’s no hiding my sarcastic tone.

Smiling even brighter, he kisses the tip of my nose. “I doubted the oracle and the prophecy until now. We all need to believe for this to work.” He turns his attention to the centaurs, who are all watching.

“Do we even know if centaur magic and elf magic will meld?” Pallon sits beside his brother, shaking his head.

“Let’s find out.” Liam opens his palm facing the sky.

He mutters something I don’t understand.

A golden ball of light forms in his hand.

It’s like a small universe with swirling light and shadow.

Rising, it hovers over his flesh, then moves to the center of the circle.

Liam looks at Pallon. “Make my magic larger. I give you leave to alter what is mine.”

The words feel important.

Pallon stares at the golden ball of light. He says something in the centaur’s guttural language.

The light grows larger and brighter, doubling in size.

Corell cocks his head. “Good.” He makes a grabbing motion with his left hand and the light disappears. “Farress agrees that we must join in the fight for Domhan. She will move the centaurs north and hopes to meet us by the river after we have retrieved Birdie.”

“I am honored, and my people will be grateful.” Liam bows his head.

Worry mars Corell’s handsome face. “Since you plan to make a showing and gain the witch’s attention, I assume we shall wait for daylight.”

“Yes.” Liam meets the centaur leader’s gaze. “The shadow demons are not as strong in daylight.”

“They carried our foals away before the sun went down.” Jadar’s tone is matter-of-fact.

“We can only use the knowledge we have, my friend. Shadow demons are less likely to mount a successful attack in daylight. It’s strange what happened with the young. Perhaps in time, we’ll better understand the dark magic.”

“I wonder if that will be a blessing or a curse.” Jadar stands. “I will take the first watch.”

Belloc walks with him to the perimeter of the magic that shields us.

Returning to sit beside me, Liam says, “He’s not wrong.”

Corell lowers to the sand in a position that reminds me of how a cat might rest. “No, but we have little choice if we are to defeat the evil and send their souls to rest.”

Sliding to the soft sand, I lean against the log.

Jadar trots over and hands me the blanket that had been my cushion during the ride here. “This will keep the damp away.”

“Thank you.” I stand and lay the blanket on the sand.

Smile firmly in place, Liam sits beside me, leaving no space between us. “I think Jadar is enamored with you.”

“Are you jealous?” I’m teasing, but I can’t help noticing the way his jaw tightens.

“More than I have any right to be.” He watches as the centaurs circle the perimeter.

Changing the subject, I ask, “Why is there no breeze here? I’ve never seen a place so still.”

Looking around, he shrugs. “I’m not certain. Perhaps the lost land and the curse of its sinking have stolen the wind.”

“Sounds ridiculous.” I lean my head back on the hard wood and close my eyes. “Maybe the loss of land caused some kind of odd weather pattern.” It’s a much more sensible idea, even though not much has made sense since I arrived here.

“You may be right. I suspect it’s this lack of air movement that brought Venora to this place. The demons she creates would have an easier time moving about with no wisps of wind.” He eases my head up and slides his arm under so that I’m lying on his biceps.

Much more comfortable, I sigh. “And the evil. Even I can feel it.”

“Yes. This is a dark place.” He pulls me close and kisses my hair.

I open my eyes as I lean against his strong side. Centaurs sleep in a circle around us. “Do you have to give permission for someone to affect your magic spell?”

“Not strictly, but with it, the bond is stronger. Also, it’s polite.” He smiles, meeting my gaze. “I’m sorry this is the way you came into my world. I wish I could have shown you the beauty and wonders of Domhan.”

“Perhaps those are yet to come.” Trusting that Liam and the centaurs will keep me safe, I sleep.