Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 131875 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 659(@200wpm)___ 528(@250wpm)___ 440(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 131875 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 659(@200wpm)___ 528(@250wpm)___ 440(@300wpm)
“We can figure it out,” she said earnestly. “Together.”
He took a farther step away from her. Whatever had brought back her teasing love had disappeared in the face of a new nightmare. “I should get back to translations. Danae has had a long enough break.”
Kerrigan nodded, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes as he walked away from her. She had hoped that this was the start of something again, but he still had to process the Daijan bond, and she didn’t know how to help him forward with that. She could only hope that standing by his side through it all would be enough.
Keres returned at nightfall on the third day. “I found one.”
She held a purple crystal in her hand about the size of her fist. It was smaller than she had anticipated. The inside glowed softly when she looked into it too long. It didn’t quite emit light but seemed to capture it instead.
Fordham rose slowly to his feet at the sight of it. “Where did you find it?”
“Basille Selby helped me track it down. I didn’t want to risk missing the full moon and solicited his assistance. He managed to find a trader who specialized in Fae relics.” She frowned. “He was a deeply unpleasant man to bargain with.”
“Oh good. You made it back,” Vera said, stepping into the room. “I’ve just finished the blessing ritual site with Cleora.”
The professor stood on the threshold, wet from the waist down and looking positively disgruntled. “I did the actual water parts.”
“Can’t expect me to,” Vera said. “I’m old.”
Cleora grumbled something under her breath. Keres flicked her hand at her, and the water came out of her clothes and pooled into an orb in front of her.
Cleora stared, wide-eyed. “Impressive.”
“Anything to help,” Keres said, tossing the water back outside. “Shall we proceed to the holy waters?”
“I believe so,” Vera agreed.
Danae sidled up to Kerrigan as they followed the line of powerful women out of Vera’s home. Fordham took up the rear of the vanguard. They hadn’t spoken privately since he’d told her about Iris, and her heart ached to be closer to him.
“This is …” Danae shook her head as they traipsed into the tree line. “Do you think this is going to work? I’ve never heard of anything like this in Andine.”
“I have no idea,” she admitted. “I have to hope.”
There was a lot of the ritual that they were just guessing at. The star alignment was one aspect that no one even wanted to touch. Was that necessary or something that the Fae adhered to because it was safer? And they were doing this without the requisite thirteen. She didn’t know if it mattered that Keres and Vera were superpowered Doma with more magic than ten regular Fae. They didn’t know if thirteen was symbolic or necessary. They didn’t have time to bring in eight more people, let alone eight more people they trusted, to do it properly. If they failed, then what? Another month in Alandria could mean more death and destruction for her friends and family. Already, she’d been gone too long.
She closed her eyes and sighed. One day at a time.
Danae squeezed her hand. “I believe in you, you know?”
“Is that the truth or just your opinion?” Kerrigan asked with a small smile.
“What’s the difference?” Danae asked with a wink.
Kerrigan laughed. At least Danae still had her sense of humor. That was something.
One minute, they were nestled in the boughs of low-hanging trees, and the next, the world opened onto a clear pond. It was only large enough for a few strokes from one side to the other. A trickling waterfall filled it to the brim and kept it from getting stagnant. The effect was the sound of a soft trickle of water and an unparalleled ambiance.
“It’s lovely,” Kerrigan whispered.
Vera smiled wistfully. “Yes. The woods and nearby streams were partially why I chose this place. Reminds me of my old home. Though it’s not quite Byern.”
Keres touched her shoulder, and they shared a silent moment. Vera nodded, and they broke apart.
“The best course of action is to set up in a star position. I’ll take the point. Vera and Fordham will be opposite me and opposite each other. Cleora and Danae will take the side positions across from one another. Kerrigan, you, of course, will be at the center of the star.”
“In the water,” Kerrigan said.
“It’s chilly,” Cleora said with a huff as she headed to her designated position.
“Yes. The water, please.”
Kerrigan swallowed, looking into the beautiful depths as everyone else settled into position. “This will work, right?”
Keres put her arms around her daughter. “It’s not a ritual that I’m familiar with, but I believe in you. I believe you can do this. The magic is there, waiting for you. Just put your hand out and take it. Any daughter of mine can do anything.”