to be seen.
Morran made a contemplative sound, his expression remote. Leena chose not to interrupt his thoughts, but instead scanned the grounds for Fionn. Her brother’s presence was a worrying shadow, never quite seen and never quite forgotten.
“I’m remembering more,” Morran said without warning.
“You are?” Leena finished her last bite of crust, then wiped her hands on the paper towel.
“Yes. Scraps and details of the war. I came across a crown, once, trampled into the mud. A petty king running from the Shades.”
“People take their treasures when they flee,” Leena said. “They soon toss most aside. It’s like leaving pieces of who you once were, but your past won’t help you survive.”
“What does?” he asked, his voice tight.
She took his hand, squeezing it. In his own way, he was just as displaced as the Kelthians. “Everyone’s answer is different. My reason to fight was my family. Almost all are gone now.”
Morran’s expression softened. “What exactly happened?”
“Juradoc’s sorcerers attacked.” Leena turned her face away, hiding her emotions. “It began when the birds flew away. Great flocks left the mountains, already aware of what was coming. I stood in our doorway, holding Fionn’s hand, and watched them pass overhead. The sound of it was like a rushing surf.”
“And then?”
“My mother grabbed whatever she could, and we made for the road.” She paused to clear her throat. “One step behind us, the stones turned to sand, draining down the mountainside. Then the cottages and trees slid away because there was nothing to hold them in place. We ran fast—literally ran—because those who lagged behind were buried alive.”
Leena had never returned, but she’d heard the traveler’s tales. All that was left was bare rock without enough soil to support life. She sucked in a shaking breath, cutting it short when her sore ribs protested. Morran lifted their joined hands, kissing hers.
“Thank you for telling me,” he said softly.
He bent his head, kissing her as he pulled them both into deeper shadows. Above, the oak leaves rustled encouragement. Leena had been bruised that day, both in heart and body. Telling that story had pushed her over the emotional edge. She had no boundaries left, only the need for comfort. Morran seemed to sense it, and he gathered her close.
She bit at his lips, boldly teasing him. Slowly, he ran his hands down the curve of her back and over her hip. He was stroking her as if she were a cat, and she arched against his hand. Desire rose, catching at her magic, and then at the answering flame in him. In her fae sight—the one that saw beyond hard fact and into magic—a faint flicker of flames surrounded them both.
Morran kissed her more deeply still, and she opened to his caress. He tasted like masculine heat and savory food—a perfect mix of comfort and temptation. But even as she sailed on their cresting need, part of her cried out for control. Anna was right—Leena needed assurances, some indication the hope she felt for him was justified.
She broke the kiss, leaning into his chest instead. It cooled the moment to a safer level.
“I’ve told you my reason to fight,” she said. “What’s yours? Is there someone you love back in Tymeera?”
“My family is gone,” he said. “Maybe that was for the best.”
“But Tymeera has never been conquered. Others dear to you might still be alive.”
“Juradoc would use me to conquer the city. That can never happen.”
His words echoed the Mother’s fears. For an instant, Leena thought about the capsule of poison dangling from her chatelaine, which was currently tucked in the pocket of her jacket.
“You see, I remember now how they severed me from my familiar,” he said, his voice carefully controlled. “It requires a death spell. Nothing else has sufficient power.”
He stopped speaking. Leena waited, her hand tingling where it touched his. Whatever came next would not be pleasant to hear.
“As ever, I was at war against Juradoc’s army. We were camped west of the Serpent River, far from home. To my delight, my lover arrived one night, surprising me in my tent. I trusted Paya completely. I’d planned to someday make her my wife.”
Leena’s mouth went dry.
“The curse that sunders the phoenix comes in the form of a poison. The black spell itself is bound into a potion that weakens its victim in body and magical essence. Such forbidden magic is known only in the darkest circles. How Juradoc obtained the knowledge is a mystery that will eventually end in dire retribution.”
Gently, he