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  As soon as he ascended the final step, he caught sight of Malene’s skirts that rippled lazily around her legs. She stood with her back to him and her gaze straight ahead. How he wished he knew what she was thinking.

  It was his duty to bring her to Blackglade and have her take up the mantle as Lady of the Varroki. She wasn’t the first mission he’d been tasked with. But he prayed she was the last.

  None of the Ladies had been of the Varroki. No one, least of all him, understood why an outsider was chosen, or how the radiance that picked the Ladies worked. It was a part of Varroki culture going back to the time of the First Witch. Who was he to question it?

  Malene’s flaxen hair was gathered in multiple braids before being bound into two thick plaits that fell over her shoulders. Her fur-lined cloak of soft gray matched her eyes. Ever since she’d changed their laws, she had become different. No longer did she chafe at the bonds that bound her to the Varroki or her position. Instead, she seemed to have accepted her role, perhaps even embraced it.

  When she asked him to teach her to read, he’d never expected such an outcome. She had been bored and needed something to fill the time. By giving in to her wish, he might very well have given the Varroki the Lady they not only needed but also the one that had been prophesied.

  The foretelling that stated that a Lady with double radiance would usher in a new era to the Varroki. Yet, Armir couldn’t bring himself to tell her of the prophecy. Malene already had too much on her mind. She didn’t need anything else.

  He was her commander. It was his job to make sure she had all she needed, to keep her on the path of leadership, and to help guide her in the ways of the Varroki.

  The one thing he’d never expected—and fought hard against—was his attraction to her. Malene was...everything to his people. She was hope and strength and power. Without her, Blackglade would be unshielded, allowing the Coven to find them.

  But to him, she was so much more. Her wisdom surprised him. Her willpower inspired him. And her beauty took his breath away.

  Until she changed the laws, he hadn’t been permitted to even touch her. His position had also been one of celibacy. With the rapid decline of the Varroki over the last several generations, Malene realized the problem and changed it.

  He walked toward her until he came to stand alongside her. The view from atop the tower was magnificent. She had the same view through her windows, but that never seemed enough for Malene.

  “Have you come to tell me that our people have revolted against my changes?” she asked without looking at him.

  He turned his head, gazing at the profile of her heart-shaped face. Her cheeks were red from the frigid, blustery wind. “Nay.”

  Her shoulders drooped as she closed her eyes. “They do realize I am trying to help, then?”

  “They do. As I warned, not everyone is keen on the change, but that tends to be the older ones. The younger Varroki are excited.”

  Her lashes lifted, and gray eyes met his. “What would I do without you?”

  Armir realized it wasn’t really a question, but he knew the answer. She would do quite well with or without him. Malene needed no one. She was that strong.

  He was privileged to be the one to stand with her and watch the amazing changes that she was bringing forth.

  “What is it?” she asked as she faced him, a frown creasing her forehead.

  “Nothing.”

  “I do not like when you lie,” she stated.

  He bit back a grin. “This is a lot of change for everyone.”

  “Including you.”

  “Including me,” he added. “I’m merely thinking of the future.”

  Her plump lips pressed together before she gave a small nod and moved her gaze back to the horizon. “You should find a wife, Armir, and have many babies. You’re a handsome man. I doubt you would have trouble finding a woman.”

  The pleasure at her saying that he was handsome was like warmth filling him. The trouble was, the woman he wanted to claim as his own and fill her belly with his bairns was Malene.

  He’d touched her, held her. Granted, it had been when she was unconscious, but he knew how right she felt against him. Yet she was the one woman he would always yearn for.

  The one woman he could never have.

  She smiled up at him. “Is there someone who has caught your eye?”

  “Aye,” he answered.

  “Then woo her. Do not wait. The Varroki need to grow if we are to continue fighting the Coven.”

  He bowed his head and turned on his heel. Armir had taken only two steps when he heard the cry of the falcon. His gaze scanned the skies until he spotted the bird that flew directly toward them.

  Armir paused and looked over his shoulder at Malene, who was also staring at the falcon. It reached them, circling the area before landing on one of the tall stones that were now bent inward from Malene’s magic.

  He strode to the bird and gazed at it. “It looks like Jarin’s falcon.”

  “Andi?” Malene said.

  In response, the bird issued a call and flapped its wings.

  “It has something tied to its leg,” Malene said.

  Armir held out his arm. The falcon dove from its perch, spreading its wings at the last moment and landed on his leather arm bracer. “Easy, girl,” he murmured.

  The bird swiveled its head to Malene as she walked closer. She slid her fingers softly down the bird, speaking quietly to it. Then she removed the tightly rolled strip of parchment from the falcon’s leg.

  Malene unfurled the note and read it, her brow furrowing deeper with every word. Her head snapped up to him. “It’s from Jarin. Bring Andi.”

  Armir followed Malene down the flight of stairs into her rooms. A fire roared, keeping the chamber warm. He watched as she gathered some meat left over from her noon meal and gave it to the falcon.

  “She has had a long flight,” Malene said.

  He wanted to know what the note said, but he didn’t press Malene. She would tell him in her own time. After he’d found a place to perch the bird, he turned to Malene and waited.

  She licked her lips. “Andi went to the abbey and spoke with Asa. She’s the one who wrote the note.”

  “Ah,” Armir said with a nod, recalling the witch who was able to talk to animals. Then his heart missed a beat. “Jarin is not hurt, is he?”

  Malene quickly shook her head. “Nay. Let me start at the beginning.”

  He listened as she told him how Jarin had encountered Helena and their journey to the abbey and then from it. When Malene finished the tale twenty minutes later, Armir raised a brow and glanced at the rolled-up message.

  “All of that was written?” he asked.

  Malene’s gaze lowered to the floor briefly. “Asa used magic in some of the words to show me what occurred at the abbey.”

  “And the rest?” But he really didn’t need to ask. More and more, Malene had been getting visions. Most times, it was of things occurring in the present, but a few had been of the future.

  “I saw it as I read the missive,” she replied.

  “Your magic is growing every day. I can hardly keep up with it.”

  She raised her palms, showing him the blue light that radiated from both, signaling her the Lady of the Varroki. “I, too, am trying to keep up. But this is about Jarin.”

  “He wanted to inform us of Helena?”

  Malene lowered her hands to her lap. “He wants to know more about the First Witch.”

  “Why do I think you are more focused on the significant power that Helena has?”

  “Because it could be connected.”

  Armir blew out a breath as he tried to recall all the stories he’d learned of the First Witch. “How?”

  “Why else would the Coven want Helena so badly?”

  “Because she killed some of their members?”

  Malene gave him a hard look. “So have the Varroki and the Hunters.”

  “And the Coven wants all of us.”


  “That is true. However, they aren’t using magic to find us. They are expending considerable power to locate Helena.”

  Armir had to admit that was odd. “I thought the Coven was after the bones of the First Witch. Helena is very much alive.”

  “What if she is part of the First Witch?”

  Dread filled him at the thought. “A descendant?”

  “It would explain Helena’s strong magic.”

  “Jarin is going to need our help.” Armir started to rise, but Malene put her hand on his arm and halted him. He slowly lowered himself back into the chair and raised his gaze to her.

  His heart thumped slowly, heat spreading through his clothes from her touch. It took every ounce of his control not to pull her against him, to show her how much he ached for her.

  “He sent his falcon with only a verbal message,” Malene said and pulled her hand away. “He did not use magic, which means he is trying to mask himself and Helena. My guess is that he has figured out that she is important to the Coven.”

  Armir focused his mind on the task at hand to keep his thoughts from Malene. He might not be a warrior like Jarin, but he had trained as one. It was his duty to find and kill any witch who happened to take the life of any of his warriors.

  It was a responsibility he took seriously. Thankfully, the warriors were so good that he’d had to carry out such actions very few times. If it weren’t for the Quarter, who were the seers of the Varroki and knew when one died outside of Blackglade, they might never know anything.

  “We have no way to contact Jarin,” he said. “He could be trapped, but if I know him at all, he will prepare for battle. That means, he’ll find a place that puts him at an advantage.”

  “Can Jarin and Helena fight off the Coven themselves?”

  Armir met her eyes and shrugged. “It depends on how many there are. We have not even spoken about Sybbyl. We have no idea how the staff is altering or adding to her magic.”

  “No one does, because no witch has been in possession of any of the First Witch’s bones. We have no idea what we might encounter.”

  He quirked a brow. “We?”

  “You plan on going to find Jarin. I’ll be with you.”

  “Nay.”

  “I am La—”

  “Nay,” he said louder. “You are needed here. You keep Blackglade shielded from not just the Coven but the world. We took a huge chance with you leaving to visit Edra at the abbey. This is a battle, Malene.”

  She rose, her back straight and shoulders back. “A battle you’re going to need me for.”

  “That battle is coming.”

  “How do you know this is not it?” she demanded.

  He didn’t, and if he had any say in it, she would never come face-to-face with the Coven. “You trust me to give you my counsel on all matters. I’m asking you to remain behind. I have no idea what awaits me, and I’ll not be responsible for your death.”

  “I can take care of myself.”

  He took a step toward her. “It is my duty to protect you.”

  “And you cannot do that and help Jarin,” she said. Her expression resigned, she gave a firm nod. “Know this, Commander, if I have a vision of you in trouble, then I will be there. You protect me, but it is my duty to protect all the Varroki. And that includes you. Now, go help Jarin.”

  Armir hesitated. There were so many things he wanted to tell her, but they stuck in his throat. Instead, he bowed his head and strode from the chamber.

  14

  Dawn came far too fast. Helena would’ve preferred to lay on Jarin’s chest and think about their kiss. The breath-stealing, heart-thumping kiss that even now made her stomach flutter.

  It had been everything she’d imagined and more. She could kiss him for eternity and never get enough.

  His hand splayed on her back, pulling her closer. She didn’t need to look up at his face to know that he was awake. He’d likely never gone to sleep, just as she hadn’t been able to after their kiss.

  Her thoughts went from Jarin to what might be out there to the confrontation she knew was coming with the Coven. Helena wondered if she were strong enough to survive a battle with Sybbyl.

  “I think I am developing a love of caves,” she murmured.

  He chuckled, the sound rumbling in her ear and causing her to smile.

  “Is that so?” he asked.

  She nodded. “They are very...homey.”

  “Aye,” he whispered and grew silent.

  Helena’s eyes closed. The dark cloud that had hung around them since their quick departure from the abbey was back in full force. Her jest had only cracked it a little.

  “We can remain for another day,” Jarin offered.

  It was a tempting offer. Very alluring, in fact. She rose up on her elbow and gazed into his pale blue eyes. “That is not who you are, and while it might be the easier thing to do, it is not what I believe we should do.”

  He ran his fingers gently along her jaw. “There is much about me that is changing.”

  “Not this,” she replied with a grin.

  He glanced away. “Perhaps not.”

  “You’re a warrior in every sense of the word, and I’m so thankful you are with me.”

  “You need no one. Your magic is strong enough to carry you through anything.”

  She sat up and looked out the entrance of the cave. “How can you say that when I have not done any magic around you?”

  “Trust me.” He rose in one movement, pulling her cloak with him. Then he held out his hand.

  Helena glanced at it before she accepted it, and he hauled her to her feet. She waited as he tied her cloak into place. He then grabbed his bag that he looped over his head and under an arm before fastening his cloak and wrapping his fingers around his staff.

  “I’ll go first,” he stated.

  She opened her mouth the same time Valdr got to his feet.

  “Nay,” Jarin said to the wolf. “Stay with Helena.”

  Valdr didn’t look at all thrilled as he trotted to her side and sat. She turned with Jarin as he started toward the opening.

  “Wait,” she said. “You’re just going to walk out?”

  “I would prefer to kiss you, but if I do, I won’t be able to stop.”

  She swallowed, recalling the delicious taste of him. “Oh.”

  “Valdr will let you know when I call for you. Remain here until then.”

  He turned to leave, but she rushed to him, grabbing his face and pulling it down for a kiss. With a half-moan, half-growl, he spun them and pressed her against the wall.

  The passionate kiss left her clutching him in an effort to remain on her feet. It sizzled, it blazed.

  It burned—just as her body did.

  She cried out when he tore his mouth from hers and took a step back. Their chests rose and fell rapidly, but it was his eyes that had gone nearly solid white that she couldn’t look away from. She grasped the rocks behind her to keep on her feet instead of reaching for him.

  “We will survive this,” he stated. “And I will kiss you again.”

  His vow made her breath catch. Before she could reply, he was gone. Helena wanted to rush to the entrance, but Valdr moved in her path, preventing her.

  With every heartbeat, she waited to hear sounds of battle, but there was only silence. The world was waking. Birds chirped, flying from limb to limb. More light poured through the entrance, but still, there was nothing to let her know that Jarin was fine or if he’d been injured.

  It was the not knowing that was the worst. All sorts of images ran through her head, each one worse than the last.

  Something hit her hand. She looked down to find that Valdr was bumping his head against her fingers. He walked to the entrance and looked back at her.

  “Is Jarin calling for us?” she asked.

  In response, the wolf left the cave. She was quick to grab her bag and follow him. The first step outside, she paused and looked around. The vantage point allowed her to see far, though the thic
k trees hid much.

  After a moment, she made her way down the rocky slope to find Valdr waiting for her. The two of them moved swiftly to find Jarin. The warlock smiled when he spotted them.

  “I’ve found no evidence of anyone being here,” he told her.

  She frowned. “None? Someone was here.”

  “Something was here.”

  “I was hoping I’d jumped to conclusions last night in believing it was Sybbyl, but I was right, wasn’t I?”

  A muscle worked in his jaw. “I cannot say either way. Magic was used, I know that much. You were right to warn me not to use mine. If they were searching for magic, then perhaps they’ve moved on.”

  “Now what?” she asked. “Your words made sense last night. I need to stop running.”

  “That means fighting.”

  She shrugged one shoulder. “I have watched knights, Hunters, and other witches fight against the Coven. The only times I fought was to get away from them. I should have been standing against them the whole time.”

  “You have been,” he told her. “You refused to join them. That took bravery.”

  “Regardless, it is my turn to fight.” Even though it might mean her death. She didn’t want to die, but it was time she did something more than run.

  Whether Jarin knew it or not, he had given her the courage to do what was right.

  “Then we need to find someplace that suits us before we let Sybbyl and the Coven know where we are,” he said with a cocky grin.

  “Do you have someplace in mind?”

  “I might. And it isn’t far.”

  That made her frown. “I want to be as far away from the abbey as possible.”

  “For all we know, the Coven members have walked right past the entrance to the abbey. Edra has done a good job of concealing it. Trust that.”

  He was right. Helena knew it, but she couldn’t stop the worry. It would always be there no matter what she said or did. She looked at the sky, so used to seeing the falcon that Andi was missed.

  “Did she make it to Blackglade?” she asked as she returned her gaze to Jarin.

  He gave a nod. “I have no doubt.”

  “How will you get the information you need?”