Crow said. “But I am still just a man.”
Tancho studied those dark eyes, that handsome face, and he could have so easily got lost . . . “I should undress,” he murmured.
“I can help you,” Crow whispered, looking him up and down. “With whatever you need help with.”
Tancho’s pulse quickened, his skin flushed warm. He loved knowing Crow was just as affected as him, that Crow wanted him. It was a mighty powerful drug. “I fear that should we . . . do more than touch, what it would do to us. Does this connection not scare you?”
Crow’s gaze went from Tancho’s mouth, to his eyes, and he seemed to jolt back to his senses. “Scare me? A little,” he admitted quietly. “Scares me that we will do more than touch. Scares me that we won’t.”
Tancho nodded quickly. He felt it too. Tancho didn’t know if that was better or worse. He could just reach up and touch Crow, cup his face, and pull him down for a kiss. It would be so easy. He was so close, Tancho could almost taste him.
A loud knock at the door broke them apart and Tancho’s heart felt it might burst out of his chest. It took him a second to catch his breath. “Come in.”
Asagi opened the door and looked between the two kings, no doubt at how close they were standing. He bowed his head. “My king, apologies for the interruption. We have acquired all the elements. Maghdlm believes she can open the doorway. The tiles have been moved to the north position and we await you both.”
“My bath can wait,” Tancho said, then he and Crow collected their swords and followed Asagi to the grand hall.
Karasu, Kohaku, and Soko were already there, standing on the outside of the outer compass circle. The tiles had been put back into place. Maghdlm stood with her feet before the S and she held an old book in her hands. Her head was still bandaged, and she looked tired but determined.
“The compass in your castle,” she said to Crow. “Is it in a hall like this?”
“There is a large compass tiled into the floor of the formal hall, yes,” Crow replied. “We can expect a welcome by guards at the end of a lot of swords. I would imagine no one too pleased at the magical intrusion.”
Soko stepped forward. “I will go through first. They will recognise me, and if someone’s head shall meet the floor, it’ll be mine and not yours, Crow.”
“Wait a moment,” Crow said first, his attention on Maghdlm. “How long will the doorway remain open? Can you close it? Can you open it again? Can you lock it once we’re through?”
She read from the open book in her hand. “It will stay open until it is closed by incantation. I can open it as long as I have the elements.” She held a small velvet pouch in her hand. “And I believe I can lock it, yes.”
“You’re still coming through with us,” Crow said, his voice full of authority.
She looked about to object but conceded a tired nod. “Of course.”
Tancho didn’t have time to wonder about Crow’s tone or insistence that she join them. Because Maghdlm slipped the book into the folds of her shawl, took a pinch of what was in her pouch, and spoke as she sprinkled the floor with it.
Aperi ianuam,
altera ex loco,
illam cincturam,
hoc portal,
revelare.
The tiles in the floor moved, scaring everyone into taking a step back. Scraping and grinding stone against stone, the old tiles moved around the compass. Sparks cascaded in mid-air like a waterfall of ash and fire. She chanted again and the sparks formed a large circle, spinning and growing in size until it was a doorway big enough for a grown man to walk through.
Tancho could see through the doorway and see a strange room, but Soko grinned at Crow. He liked what he saw on the other side. Crow nodded and Soko stepped into the circle, his hands raised. There was no sound, Tancho realised. They couldn’t hear what he was saying or see who he was talking to. But he turned back, smiling, and waved them through.
Tancho looked to Asagi. “Keep the tiles intact in case we need to return. I will send word if I want the tiles removed to close the doorway.”
Crow walked up next and waited for Tancho to stand next to him, and with a deep breath, they stepped through.
The sound hit him as though he’d