Page 23 of Wind and Water (Reign of the Witch Queen #2)

Lifting my hand an inch higher, I pull Liam’s hand to my heart and tighten my grip. “We can do this.” Unleashing all the growing magic within me, I see the waves crashing over the demon before it actually happens.

Liam gives me his magic and a stream of blue light, just like that of his missiles, pours from my outstretched fingertips. The magic light cuts through the water and slices the drowning monster in two.

Rather than sink or even bleed, the demon reforms into two smaller spiders that glow under the wave.

Heart sinking, we stop the flow of light magic. I push aside my disappointment and think of how I must protect these centaurs, my mother, and Liam. If I don’t stop this, no one will.

A wash of Liam’s pride fills me. His voice is soft in my head. You can do this. “You can do anything,” he says aloud.

I think it’s the wonder in his voice more than his belief in me that strengthens my resolve. Killing anyone or anything has never been part of my life. I’m no soldier or warrior. Still, when you threaten those I love, I will defend them.

I form an image in my mind of the demon obliterated.

It hurts none of my friends. In the aftermath, I visualize Venora’s pale face as her magic is defeated.

“She’s manipulating that thing. She’s using her magic.

” I draw myself to my full five feet two inches and focus on the two creatures that have nearly swum to the edge of my water wave.

Pulling the water closer to keep them immersed, I focus on Liam’s light—the magic tingles inside me.

This time, as the blue light cuts through, I push the water inside, blending my magic with his. Rainbows shine through the stream, and when it hits the beasts, it doesn’t cut them. Instead, it fills them until they reach their capacity, and light explodes inside them, destroying the dark magic.

A flash of Venora’s face and her shock burst into my mind for an instant. Her already pale skin is almost gray from her evil efforts. A second later, she’s gone from my inner vision.

A cheer rises from the centaurs as Liam pulls me tight into his warm hug. “How did you know?”

Turning in his embrace, I crane my neck to meet his gaze. His skin is pale, and his eyes lack the fire I’ve grown accustomed to. “Know what?”

“How to destroy it?” He brushes my wild curls from my face and tucks several strands behind my ear.

I cup his cheek. “Are you alright?”

“We used a lot of magic. I’ll be fine.” He rests his hand over mine.

Momma runs over and wraps her arms around us both.

“I’ve never in my life seen anything like that.

Those monsters never had a chance against the two of you joined in battle.

I thought my heart would plum jump out of my chest when it became two.

What kind of world is this, where a demon can just pop up out of hell and attack good people? ”

“The kind where evil is close to winning the battle,” Liam says as he releases me and takes a step back. His shoulders slump, and he turns toward the sun.

“Son, are you alright?” Momma touches his arm, and her eyebrows draw together.

“Magic always has a cost, Birdie. I need to rest for a while.” He struggles to climb the small, dry knoll.

I rush to his side and wrap my arm around his waist.

After a short hesitation, he leans some of his weight on my shoulders. My pulse is racing. “You gave too much.”

“It was necessary.” Even his voice has lost some of its normal strength.

Jadar eases Momma out of the way and takes Liam’s other side. “I will lend you some of my magic to speed the healing process.”

The tick of pressure in Liam’s jaw eases after a moment. “I would be grateful for the help, friend.”

We help Liam sit in the grass where our duffels and backpacks are stacked, and I kneel beside him. “Why didn’t you stop before you gave too much? Why didn’t you ask for help?”

Sitting like a cat at rest, Jadar lowers himself so he can reach Liam. “Your mate is right. You could have taken power from a centaur to supplement your magic.” He places his hands over Liam’s chest and closes his eyes.

My skin tingles with the warm and forceful centaur magic.

Fear of losing this elf tightens in my chest. I’ve fallen in love, true and lasting love, for the first time in my life.

I could have lost him today. I could lose him at any moment.

Part of me wants to run away and forget any of this ever happened, but that is no longer an option.

I won’t abandon Liam, these centaurs, or Domhan.

A tiny voice echoes in my mind, warning me that one day, I’ll go home to Texas, and my heart will break into a million pieces, just like those demons exploded with too much light magic.

After a minute, Liam’s skin brightens, as do his eyes.

Jadar pulls his hands away. He grins. “The rest the sun will restore.”

Shaking Jadar’s hand, Liam says, “Thank you.”

I had been so focused on Liam and my worries that I never noticed that several centaurs, including Corell, gathered with concern for Liam.

Corell nods, and they disperse. Corell says, “We should be safe to rest here for a short while. You can recover your strength while the sun is high.”

Remaining seated, Liam takes slow, even, deep breaths. “One hour. Then we’ll need to move on. The lost lands are full of darkness. We shouldn’t remain this close for too long.”

In agreement, Corell steps away and gives orders to his centaurs to rest for one hour.

Momma steps close. “Will you be alright, Liam?”

With a weak smile, Liam says, “Yes, Birdie. I’m fine.”

For the briefest moment, Momma’s eyes fire up the way they do right before she’s about to give me a long lecture. She kisses his cheek and sits with Corell and Jadar. I guess she decided he’s been through enough.

“I think you should explain to me how magic works.” I settle in beside him, and he wraps his arm around my shoulder.

“I don’t know how your magic works. All I know is that it’s linked to your desires and prayers. At least, that’s my guess. I’m no oracle.” Stretching his legs, he crosses his feet and leans back on the duffel bags.

“What about your magic? Why did you get so weak? I felt my own energy failing, but once I stopped expending the energy, my body was fine.” Like the true teacher’s daughter, I need to understand everything.

“Maybe your magic and your body are separate. For an elf, that’s not the case.

We are wrapped and weaved with our magic.

Small things are not an issue, but there are spells that wear us down.

Today, I pushed a little too far, but I could not have let you stand alone.

I’ll admit, I should have asked the centaurs for help, but this friendship with them is new, and I didn’t think of it in the moment.

” He closes his eyes and holds me tighter.

“So, if you push your magic to its limit, it could kill you?” The last two words come out shaky.

“It is possible.” Liam opens his eyes and turns his head to meet my gaze.

When he speaks again, his voice is soft and just for me.

“I heard your thoughts and worries, sweetheart. I have no desire to lose you either. You are a gift that I never expected to receive in my life. Leaving you or seeing you leave me would break me.”

Emotions well up within me, and a tear slides over my bottom lid. The future has no choice but to rip us apart.

The future is a tricky thing, my love. He kisses my forehead, letting his warm lips remain there an extra moment.

I release the worry of tomorrow and warm into his affection.

Adhar lands three feet away with a disgruntled caw. She hops close to Liam’s side with something in her mouth. She bobs her head and warbles some message. In my head, I hear hand .

“I think she wants you to open your hand.” It’s still odd to hear or sense the thoughts of a bird. Somehow, Adhar gives me a sense of order when she’s near.

“We’ll have to do some study on familiars when we get home.” He opens his hand a few inches above the ground in front of Adhar.

Cocking her pretty white head, she steps up and drops something from her mouth. It’s a small brownish berry. Strange.

Liam’s eyes widen. “Where did you find this?”

She nudges his hand with her beak.

“What is it?”

Looking from the berry to the raven, his voice is filled with wonder. “It’s a leighis berry.”

Unfamiliar with the name, I wait for more.

Liam studies the fruit as Adhar flaps her wings, agitated with his delay.

“I don’t know what that means, but she wants you to eat it.” I reach across and pet her head, trying to soothe her.

“Leighis berries are scarce. So much so that this is the first I’ve seen outside of a drawing in a book. It’s said they have remarkable healing properties.” Liam’s voice is filled with wonder.

Corell and several others have stopped what they’re doing to listen and watch.

“Do you think you should eat it?” As much as this bird has come to mean to me in the short time since she attached herself, I’m not sure of her motives or alliances.

“Would you eat something Adhar gave you because she insisted?”

Considering the question, I move my arm away from my lap, and Adhar hops onto my forearm and stares into my eyes as if she too is waiting for the answer. I scratch the feathers at the back of her head, and she lowers her crown for more attention. “I would. I believe she’s here to help us.”

Without another word, Liam pops the berry into his mouth, chews it twice, and swallows.

I stare at him, waiting. Honestly, with the events of the last few days, I’m not hopeful.

With a little pressure on my arm, Adhar spreads her wings and lifts into the air.

“How do you feel?” The suspense creates a knot in my gut.

Head lowered, he stretches his arms and legs, then presses his hand to his chest. “I feel fine. Actually, I don’t know if I’ve ever felt this good in my life.

Not one ache.” He stands and twists his waist one way and then the other.

Rolling his shoulders, he shifts his head from side to side.

“If the things written in the books are correct, leighis berries can only be found on the far side of the Cumbachdach Mountains. The giants of those mountains are said to covet the berries, and rarely is one seen in the elven cities. Where in Domhan did Adhar find one here?” He looks across the terrain.

“They grow on bushes?” I can’t help wishing he’d come back and sit beside me, but I subdue the thought before he senses it.

“Yes. Low brambles with long thorns. They tend to prefer shaded areas near the midmountain elevation.” He shrugs. “At least that’s what the books say.”

Scanning the terrain, I don’t see any mountains. “Well, either the books are wrong, or Adhar is more than she seems.”

“Perhaps we shouldn’t tarry here. If the raven sped your recovery, it must be for a reason.” Corell gives orders to the centaurs to move on.

Offering his hand to help me up, Liam’s smile is private and just for me. “I, too, would prefer to lie here beside you for a while.”

I move to grab my duffel, but Liam pulls me into his arms and holds me for a long moment. “One day, I will relish the moments we can tarry, and hold each other, and make love, Wren.”

“The things you say, Liam.” After a quick squeeze, I push him away and sling my pack over my shoulder.