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He wore his Ixian dress uniform with all his medals glinting
from his chest. An impressive amount had been pinned to the
black jacket.
Holding onto Valek’s arm for balance, I navigated the stairs
without falling on my face. “New shoes,” I said. I used the
word shoe loosely. Torture device would be a better term. The heels had to be at least four inches high. Sarrah’s doing, no
doubt.
Arm in arm, Valek and I walked down the aisle. My at-
tention switched from my feet to the assembled guests. So
many happy faces beamed at us and we were just the honored
couple. I grinned, thinking of how Mara and Leif would be
received.
Kade caught my eye. He oozed dignity in his formal Storm-
dancer attire—a gray long tunic with black piping that reached
to his midthigh and cinched around his waist with a black
leather belt studded with silver. Black leggings and knee-high
black boots completed his clothing. He had a silver lightning
bolt pinned to his shirt. Best of all he smiled at me.
Past Kade, I spotted Ari and Janco, both fidgeting in their
Ixian dress uniforms, making their medals f lash in the sun-
light. But they froze when they saw me. Janco’s lower jaw
dropped open, and I glanced behind me to see if Mara had
already started. Not yet.
Standing with my parents in the front row, Irys Jewel-
rose winked at me. The Second Magician had arrived late
last night, looking exhausted. But today she wore an elegant
copper dress and showed no signs of weariness.
Next to Irys, my brother looked debonair in his formal
clothes. He had actually combed his hair away from his eyes.
Who knew he could appear to be a handsome young man?
Not me.
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After we reached our designated places, Mara and Leif en-
tered. The gasps and ohhs and ahhs thrilled me. Leif wore
black pants, a cream shirt and a black vest all made of silk.
Jungle vines had been embroidered on the vest and accented
with pearls, matching the pearls on Mara’s gown.
The wedding ritual passed by in a blur. During the reception,
I hardly tasted my food before the dancing started. All the
work and preparation for just a few hours. I think I would
prefer to have a simple ritual with a few guests. Perhaps on
the beach. Or perhaps not. Yelena and Valek hadn’t made a
formal commitment, but they were devoted to each other—
true heart mates. Could they say the same about Kade and
me? Could I?
Before I could answer, another song started and Kade pulled
me to my unsteady feet to dance. One good thing about four-
inch heels, they brought me closer to his eye level. And being
wobbly had its advantages. Kade held me tight.
“I’ll have to thank my mother,” he said.
“Why?”
“For helping you pick out that dress.”
“You like it?”
“Yes. In fact, I’d love to see it off you,” he whispered in my
ear.
His lips brushed my neck, sending a sizzle along my skin.
“So you can examine the stitchery up close?” I teased.
He bit my earlobe playfully before drawing back. “No. So
I can get a good look at your shoes.”
I
laughed.
As the evening progressed, I also danced with Valek, my
father and Leif. I traded insults with my brother. Near the
end, Ari and Janco found me taking a break from the party
behind the factory.
“Damn, Opal,” Janco said. “I didn’t know you could look
that good!”
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“Nice.” I swatted him on the shoulder. “How did you find
me?”
“I tracked you. Ari didn’t think I could,” Janco said.
“I didn’t doubt you,” Ari replied.
“But you gave me that look.”
“Which one? The exasperated one? When I’m with you
that’s my normal expression.”
“Really? I thought your standard for tonight was surly.
You managed to scare off all those who may have been brave enough to talk to us,” Janco said.
“It was the uniforms, genius. At least I didn’t squirm like a little kid in his father’s dress clothes.”
I interrupted their argument, otherwise we would have
been there until dawn. “I think Janco looks—dare I say it?—
dashing in his uniform.”
Janco preened, f lashing Ari a superior smirk.
“You shouldn’t have dared,” Ari said.
“You’re equally distinguished, Ari,” I said. “What is it about
uniforms that make men so…”
“Irresistible?” Janco asked. “Yummy? Hot?”
“Respectable,” I said.
“Boring! No man wants to be called respectable by a woman
who is not a mother or old or married.”
“Some women find respectable to be very appealing,” I
said.
Janco
pished.
Ari, however, peered at me with interest. “Are you one of
them? Because someone like Devlen has a long way to go to
be respectable.”
Annoyed, I snapped, “I’m with Kade. Devlen was just
a…moment of weakness during a difficult time. That won’t
happen ever again.”
“Uh-huh,” Ari said.
I crossed my arms. “Are you two here for a reason? I have
to return to the party.”
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“We thought we’d update you on our efforts,” Ari said.
Mollified, I nodded for him to continue.
“With the limited time, we only searched Owl’s Hill, and
all the towns between Fulgor and here. Valek went farther
west, past the Citadel.”
“And?” A tingle of hope bloomed.
“So far nothing.”
Hope died again.
Ari noticed. “Don’t worry. We’re bound to pick up the
trail. It’s only a matter of time before we find your blood.”
“I know a way we could go faster,” Janco said, perking
up.
“How?” I asked.
“We could use a Bloodhound.”
Ari and I groaned in unison.
“What? It’s a good idea,” Janco whined.
“It’s ridiculous,” Ari said. “Just because the breed—”
“I think I hear someone calling me. Gotta go.” I hurried
off, leaving them to argue.
When I returned, I noticed my mother had cornered Kade.
Not good. I debated rescuing him, but decided against upset-
ting my mother again. Coward? Who me?
Instead, I found an empty table and soaked in the revelry.
My peace didn’t last long. Yelena joined me. She wore a red
gown and had left her long black hair down. It f lowed over
her bare shoulders and matched the butterf ly pendant at her
throat.
“Talk to me,” she said.
“There’s nothing to talk about. My mother’s still mad, my
magic’s still gone and Kade and I are fine.” For now.
She studied me and I fought the urge to squirm. I imag-
ined she examined my soul and saw a black stain of self-pity
spreading on it. Would she be disgusted?
Without any obvious censure, she asked, “Why is your
mother angry with you?”
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“I’ve
told—”
“The
real reason.”
“Leif ’s Storm Thieves story—”
“No.
Think.”
I swallowed a groan. “I already have a Story Weaver. I don’t
need another.”
Yelena didn’t blink. “And you’ve talked about this with
him?”
“He’s part of the problem!” Then it hit me. “Wait. How
did you know my Story Weaver was a he? Are you reading
my mind?”
“Opal, relax.” Yelena reached and cupped my face with her
hands. “I can’t read your mind or soul. But it doesn’t take a
magician to know you’re conf licted. You need to talk it out
either with your Story Weaver, a friend or a relative.”
Yelena met two of the three requirements. Plus she also had
a Story Weaver named Moon Man, but he died during the
Warper Battle. And she was right. I needed to untangle this
mess inside my heart. Pulling her hands down, I held them
in my own and let my worries, concerns and cringe-inducing
behavior pour from my mouth. I told her about Devlen, the
events at the prison and the difficulties with Kade’s and my
mother, leaving nothing unsaid. Breathing easier, I slouched
in my chair.
She listened to the whole thing without interruption. “I
can’t tell you what to do, but I can offer three bits of advice.”
Her lips quirked into a wry smile. “Moon Man would be
proud. First, the mothers.” Yelena let go of my hands to poke
a finger into the air. “You managed to see why Kade’s mother
was so hostile to you, which is a good start. Do the same with
your own mother.”
“But—” The warning in her eyes stopped me.
“Second, your magic. Don’t give up hope, but at the same
time formulate a backup plan. Where do you see yourself next
year? What will you be doing in five years? And don’t be afraid
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to talk to Devlen. He’s been through it.” She glanced at Kade.
He laughed at something Janco said. Ari’s don’t-encourage-
the-boy scowl didn’t affect Kade’s humor.
“He should understand,” Yelena said.
“He does, otherwise he wouldn’t be here.”
“Good.”
“And third?” I asked.
“Stop being so hard on yourself about Ulrick. Valek would
have gotten to him regardless of your distraction. In fact, I
approved the assassination.”
I gaped at her. But before I could recover, Irys Jewelrose
approached us.
“Sorry to bother you, but it’s important,” the Master Ma-
gician said. “Yelena, can I borrow Kiki? I need to get to the
Citadel as fast as possible.”
Yelena stood. “What happened?”
The explanation rushed out. “It’s this very young magician
we’d been keeping an eye on. He’s resisted all our help and
Bain finally sent a few magicians to bring him to the Keep
before he f lamed out and killed himself. But he just pulled a
dangerous amount of power to protect himself from them.”
“Why do you need Kiki?” I asked.
“To cut through the plains and get to the Citadel faster,”
she snapped in impatience.
“But if the boy is protected and Bain can’t get close, why
do you think you can?” Yelena asked.
“The boy is terrified of Bain. He doesn’t like me, but at
least he’s not afraid of me. And I have to try,” she said.
“Take Valek,” Yelena said. “His immunity—”
“A good idea, except the boy is scared of men. He’s a runaway.”
“How about Fisk?” I asked. He had been homeless, but now
he was the leader of the Helper’s Guild, which gave beggars
and runaways jobs.
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“Tried him already. Didn’t work.” Irys turned her hands
up in a helpless gesture. “I’m open to suggestions.”
“A Curare-laced dart shot with a blowgun,” Yelena said.
“The boy’s built a barrier that repels objects and people.
No one can get close to him.”
“Valek could disguise himself as a woman,” Yelena said.
Irys considered. “The boy’s pretty smart. He might see
through the disguise.”
“And what happens when the boy discovers he’s been
tricked?” I asked. “It won’t help with his trust issues.”
“That doesn’t matter right now. Saving his life and the
power blanket is the most important. If we had your…”
She didn’t need to say my glass magic. If I had it, this situ-
ation wouldn’t be a problem at all. Then I closed my eyes as I
realized I’d been an idiot. When I opened them, I met Yelena’s
questioning gaze and nodded.
“Irys,” I said, “I’m coming with you.”
“You have what? ” Irys asked in outrage.
I explained to her about my immunity.
“Why didn’t you tell me before?” Her loud question
caused several guests to stop their conversations and glance
our way.
“Many reasons. I promise I’ll tell you everything en route
to the Citadel,” I said, getting to my feet.
Sensing something was wrong, Kade and Valek joined us.
“Can you be ready to leave in an hour?” Irys asked me.
“Yes.” I kicked off my shoes and grabbed them.
Kade opened his mouth, but I pulled him along with me
as I hurried to my room. Changing into travel clothes and
packing a few things, I summarized the crisis for Kade. “I
know. I’m rushing off again. But how can I not?”
“You
can’t.”
“Moonlight’s a Sandseed horse. Come with me?” I asked.
“I won’t be much help. And I’m needed on the coast,” he
said.
Although I expected his answer, regret touched me. “I get
credit for asking you. Remember that.” I poked him on the
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shoulder to emphasize my point. He latched onto my wrist
and drew me in close.
“And I want a rain check on that dress.” He kissed me with a
fierce passion that left me dizzy. He stepped back. “Remember
that.”
My lips tingled. “Won’t be a problem.”
When I finished gathering my travel gear, I paused for a
moment to collect my thoughts. “Please make my apologies
to my family. My mother’s going to be livid.”
“I’ll explain it to her,” Kade said.
“I’m glad you understand.”
He gave me a sad smile. “I do. Yet inside—” he pointed
to his chest “—I’d rather you were coming with me to the
coast.”
We joined Irys, Yelena and Valek by the horses. Both Kiki
and Quartz had been saddled and were ready to go.
A slight brush of magic touched me as Yelena communi-
cated with Kiki. When she finished, I asked her what name
the hors
es had given me.
She chewed on her lower lip. “They aren’t very imag-
inative.”
“Glass Lady?” I guessed.
“No.” Yelena cocked her head, studying me. “I’m not going
to tell you.”
“Why
not?”
“You haven’t reclaimed it yet.”
“That doesn’t make sense. How complicated can it be? You
just said they’re not imaginative.”
“If I told you, you wouldn’t believe why they chose
that name. When you’re ready, I will tell you.” End of
discussion.
Before I could protest, Valek said, “We’ll send word if we
find anything.” He was referring to my blood.
“Thanks.” I hopped up on Quartz.
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Irys and I said a final round of goodbyes and then turned
the horses toward the Avibian Plains. When we reached the
tall grasses, Irys spurred Kiki into the gust-of-wind gait and
Quartz followed. The plains distorted around us as we sailed
over the ground.
For the next two days, Kiki and Quartz set the pace. They
stopped when they were tired, and nudged us when they
wished to go. Their efforts brought us to the Citadel three
days earlier than a normal horse.
We arrived in the early morning, shot through the south en-
trance gate and turned west. The Citadel’s streets f lowed under Quartz’s hooves. Surprised shouts followed as she dodged pe-destrians. Amazed at Quartz’s speed and agility after two days
of hard riding, I hung on to her mane.
Zigzagging through the intricate maze of the residential
quarters, I hoped we would arrive in time to save the boy.
Kiki and Quartz stopped near an entrance to an alley too
narrow for them to fit.
Irys jumped to the ground. “Come on. This way.”
I hopped down. Stains and graffiti marred the white marble
walls, and weeds grew through the sidewalk’s cracks. Grime
coated everything. I hesitated, wondering what to do about
the horses. Quartz pushed me forward. They would be fine.
As I followed Irys through the alley, the stench of rot filled
my nose. I avoided the puddles of muck and heaps of trash.
The passageway ended in a small courtyard. A group of people
huddled on the far side.
I recognized Fisk, Master Bain Bloodgood and a few magi-
cians from the Keep. They turned to us. Fisk transformed from
worried to confused, but Bain scowled at me in displeasure. I
wondered if Irys had communicated with him regarding my