Chapter Twenty-Four: Making WavesThey were back at the Bolos’ palace by midafternoon of the next day, where she kept her eyes peeled for an opportunity to catch Milo alone. Marek had requested she join him in the courtyard for training, so she was headed down the stairs to meet him when she saw Milo coming her way. She put out a hand for him to stop, and he paused a couple of steps below her, which brought them both to equal eye-level. “I have something for you.”He looked unaffected and practically uninterested, except for the gleam in his eyes. “Oh, what might that be?”She removed the letter Lyssa had entrusted to her for Milo, and its burst of floral scent filled the air between them.He took it with his eyes shining and snatched it a little too hastily to maintain his front of disaffection. “Was her response favorable?”North shrugged a shoulder. “I don’t know. I didn’t read what she wrote, but she seemed intrigued by the idea.” With a nod in his direction, she bounded down the
Chapter Twenty-Five: MinglingFor the fifth time in the last two weeks, North settled in at the Torture Room in the Drakken palace. She was getting tired of shuffling back and forth between the two kingdoms, trying to split her time and remain diplomatic. It was ridiculous, and she was rapidly losing patience for the apartheid that split the realm.She was also getting tired of returning to this palace, when it was obvious at least the king and queen only hosted her because it was expected, and not because they wanted to have her around. Neither royal had been particularly open and friendly to her, though Queen Risa was slightly less frigid. King Thorne clearly had no use for her, which undermined her confidence.It was no surprise to her that she was doing far worse with fire magic than with water magic. When she was in Haedra, she felt welcome and at peace, as though among friends and family. The only similar feeling she got when she was in Celestina was from Kriss or Lyssa.Thinkin
Chapter Twenty-Six: AurasThere was a new lightness to her step when she followed Lyssa to the stables. Embracing how she felt and making the decision to try to convince all six of them to be with her had freed her, though it certainly complicated her life too.She was still thinking about it and didn’t at first realize someone had fallen into step with her. She was startled when a hand brushed her wrist, half-expecting it to be Lyssa, though the other woman was several yards ahead of her as she practically ran to the stables. Her heart fluttered with fear for a moment, but immediately calmed when she recognized Eamon. She turned her hand so that he was holding her palm instead of her wrist, and their fingers interlocked.“Where’re you off to?” He was looking completely at her now, and there was no shyness in his face or voice. They must have spent enough time together for him to be comfortable at their current level of interaction.“We’re off to see the fire-wings.” She broke off sud
Chapter Twenty-Seven: RevelationsNorth was still in a pleasant state of bliss when she made her way to the dining room to join the Drakkens for dinner. Kriss held out a chair for her, and she sat down between him and Lyssa’s empty seat as she flashed a secret smile at Ryland and then Orin. The others arranged themselves around the table, and the meal was underway.Lyssa was a few minutes late, and her hair was covered by a headscarf. She clearly wasn’t ready to share her secret romance with her parents yet, and North respected that. She focused her attention on Kriss and Eli, who sat across from her. Marek was at his side, while Orin sat beside Lyssa, and Ryland was across from him. The queen and king were directly on Kriss’s side, both seated at the head of the table, but she didn’t try to engage them in conversation. She knew from experience it would be a pointless task.At first, it seemed like it would be another sedate dinner with the Drakkens, but that changed halfway through t
Chapter Twenty-Eight: First ClaimThe first time she worked with them together, she expected them to stake a mutual claim. Instead, they just worked with her on strengthening her fire and water magic. Their goal seemed to be to train her to instinctively switch between each ability without even having to think about which would be better for a given situation.She was encouraged by their show of cooperation, and that they only occasionally argued, but was perplexed that they hadn’t pushed her to allow them to claim her. She was ready—more than ready after hours spent in their company, pressed close to both, surrounded by their scents, and fantasizing about both of them taking her simultaneously. Her frustration was reaching a fever pitch by the time a week had passed.When she met with them that afternoon in the water room where Marek had first taken her, she sensed something different right away. It wasn’t because they immediately assaulted her with magic, with Marek sending a blast
Chapter Twenty-Nine: Change of HeartThe ball was slightly better than some of the others, but she was still anxious for it to be over. It was approaching midnight, and the royals had yet to make their farewell speeches. She’d gotten more accustomed to keeping these late hours as their guest, but was currently resenting the demands on her time when all she wanted to do was surround herself with her guards to have a heartfelt and honest discussion about their future.She let out a breath of relief when quiet descended around the ballroom as the symphony abruptly stopped playing. The king and queen got to their feet, and trays of champagne circulated. She took one and put on a polite smile, preparing for a political speech. At least she was certain King Arlo and Queen Tempest actually liked her though, unlike the Drakkens, who’d seemed to merely tolerate her presence.“You all know we’re here to bid farewell to our favorite guest, North Campbell.” At the king’s words, the assemblage bur
Chapter Thirty: Second ClaimIt was quiet as the party eventually broke up in the early hours of the morning. North walked beside Eamon and Orin, with Eli bringing up the rear, and Ryland, Marek, and Kriss moving in strategic places around her. They were all a little tipsy, but she was certain her men were as alert as ever. Eli hadn’t looked at her throughout the evening, and she was conscious of the slight.When they reached her room, they walked her inside, and she was the last one through. North locked the door behind them, and they frowned as they turned to her. She leaned against it, as though forming a barrier with her body. Eli appeared resistant, while the others were either intrigued or slightly befuddled. Orin had a gleam in his eyes that was difficult to read, but he seemed eager to hear what she had to say. Only Marek and Kriss looked completely amused, so they must’ve guessed what her plan was.“I’ve made my decision.”The four of them stiffened, while Marek and Kriss lea
Chapter Thirty-One: ReturnIt was disorienting for a moment to step through the portal and return to Earth after so long in Fire & Ice. She trailed Orin and Ryland out of the portal, with Eamon, Eli, Marek, and Kriss following behind her. They stepped off the platform, and only Caius was there to greet them. He came forward, but didn’t reach out in welcome to any of them.North didn’t feel slighted in the least. She was relieved to avoid any physical interaction with the man. The room was cool, and she shivered slightly. Having been in his presence before when he was displeased, she was sure the coolness originated from Caius’s power—whether intentionally or subconsciously.“Welcome back to Earth. I trust your trip was productive?” He asked the question in a knowing way, and there was no doubt Caius had already been fully apprised of everything that had occurred in the other realm. She doubted he approved of her interference, a fact which seemed confirmed when he looked at her a momen