Page 61 of Kingdom of Spirits

“Goes both ways, my scary, lovely captain.”

“I’ll be right back,” he said. “You take all the time you need to gather yourself.”

“Thanks.”

He pressed his fingers to his lips, kissed them, then held them out toward her. She touched her mouth, feeling the smile he’d placed there. After a quick trip back to the fireside, Marius returned with the flask. They stood under the trees, drank, and talked about little nothings that meant everything.

She would save him from this. Or she would die trying. Marius was hers and no one was going to take him from her.

Chapter 26

Tahlia

Trevain led them to another forest, a sun-hued gathering of trees with wildly long and spindly leaves.

“My grandmother always said this was one of Mother Twilight’s homes,” Trevain said, “but I have never sought the goddess.”

“She’s a goddess?” Fara asked. “Why would she help us?”

Right. Fara had missed some information. “Yes, and why wouldn’t she?” Tahlia asked.

“Perhaps because we are Mistgold Fae and we killed everyone with our germs?”

“I’m not Mistgold.”

“Great. So she’ll give you a big hug and strike the rest of us down with lightning. Fun plan.”

“Hush. It’ll be fine. Just you watch.”

“If only we all had Tahlia’s bright outlook on life,” Marius said.

“It’s going to get her killed,” Fara said.

“Not if I have anything to do with it,” Marius said.

“I’m still here, you know.” Tahlia raised an eyebrow and Marius almost smiled. Every time his mouth lifted like that, her soul sang.

Trevain led them onward through the forest. The leaves were healthier here than elsewhere in this ruined kingdom, but no birds trilled as they should have, and Tahlia didn’t think it was simply the presence of two dragons. The trees thinned in one spot and a waterfall splashed down from a sloping creek bed.

“It’s beautiful.” Tahlia set a hand on Lija.

The remnants of great power lie here like dust. She is not here.

“Lija says Mother Twilight isn’t here,” Tahlia said.

“She can tell?”

Marius looked to his dragon. He nodded and faced Tahlia, Lija, Fara, and Trevain. “Ragewing agrees. He said that she was here long ago but has traveled to another place. Trevain, what do you think?”

Trevain gasped. “You’re asking me?”

The muscles around Marius’s jaw flexed. “You have shown your trustworthiness thus far. I’m trying to take you at your word.”

“I’m so honored,” Trevain said, his tone wry.

“Watch it, ghost. My dragon is currently wondering if ghosts like you react to fire the way varjuline do.”

Trevain seemed to shrink. “If you snuff me out, you’ll have no guide.”