“I’m marrying you because I love you, not for any other reason. And nothing you say will make me change my mind.” He squeezed my fingers. “So, what did the druid talk to you about?”
I wasn’t sure how to answer, but thought it best to start from the beginning, telling him everything Lucretian told me. When I got to the part about black magic, he narrowed his eyes.
“Does this mean you’re a witch?”
“By Faythander’s definition, technically yes.”
He grew silent. I wished I knew what he was thinking.
“You’re sure about this?” he asked finally.
“Positive. Ever since I started using the magic from this world, my own powers have felt more balanced. Lucretian said black magic doesn’t necessarily have to be inherited. It can be learned.”
Kull nodded, though he still wore that emotionless expression, making it hard for me to decipher what he was thinking.
“Also,” I said, “he explained the prophecy a little, but I’m not so sure how helpful he was. He said I was worrying about the wrong events happening, and that I should be more afraid of the part about mending the rift than I should about bringing death. No clue why.”
“It’s a prophecy,” Kull answered. “Could be interpreted a hundred ways. I wouldn’t let it worry you. Not until you know more. What else did he say?”
“He said that there’s one factor that can change prophecy. Time. Although, I’m not sure that helps us too much. Manipulating time has never been done purposely before. I’ve seen it happen once—when Mochazon was sent back in time two weeks by the Everblossom tree—but I’m not even sure how that happened, except that pure magic was involved. I’d have no idea how to do it myself. Lucretian also said you need an anchor to make it happen, and I have no clue where to find one. Even if I did, I still don’t understand how manipulating time could help us.”
“What if you could go back and stop the asteroid?”
“Yes, that’s one possibility, but doing something like that would change other timelines as well—things I didn’t intend to change. I’ll just have to steer clear of sports almanacs, and I should be fine.”
His eyebrows rose. “Sports almanacs?”
“It’s from an Earth movie. This kid goes to the future and buys an almanac, thinking it’s harmless, but then his arch nemesis takes it to the past and becomes a wildly successful mogul who basically takes over the kid’s hometown. It’s a fun show. I’ll have to let you watch it sometime.”
He scratched his chin. “Movies are like pictures on those screens you watch, right?”
“Right. You see? I’m making an Earthlander of you already.”
He smiled.
“The point is,” I said, “if I do learn to manipulate time, I’d have to be careful.”
“I agree. For now, we’ve got a sword to reclaim.”
Yawning, I felt the tiredness catching up with me. Kull took me in his arms, holding me close. As I rested my face against his chest, I felt the steady thumping of his heart under my hands. I fell asleep with the scent of sandalwood in my hair, making me almost forget I was still afraid of him.
Chapter 9
The next morning, after gathering our supplies, we crossed through the portal Lucretian created. We stepped into a forest of twisted trees with blackened trunks. Although it was morning, it looked like dusk. A sky thick with gray clouds obscured the sunlight, giving the air a chill. Through the barren branches, the lights of the city shone, casting an eerie glow over the leaf-strewn ground. Even from this distance, the sounds of machinery echoed from the sprawling city as pollution filled the sky.
I studied the plumes of smoke as they rose above the city. “Where’s the smoke coming from?” I asked Lucretian.
“Factories,” he answered. “It may be hard to believe, but even on this world, the people have learned to be industrious. Below the city is an enormous machine that supplies all the magic and power. It also protects those inside the walls from the holes in our atmosphere and keeps the Regaymor away. Without the machine, the city wouldn’t exist.”
Lucretian stood tall as he looked at each of us. “This quest will not be easy. Jeven is one of the most dangerous men on this planet. His magic is unequaled.”
“Then how are we to beat him?” Kull asked. “When not even you could do it?”
“I agree,” Heidel added. “I don’t understand how we’re to succeed if this warlock is as powerful as you claim.”
“I understand your concern,” Lucretian said, “but you do have an advantage over me. Lucretian has never seen you before in his life. He knows nothing of you. Tell him you are wandering nomads from a faraway city, that your home was destroyed by the Regaymor. Warn him that the Regaymor are trying to infest his city—he will listen.”
“But what makes you think he’ll believe us?” I asked.
“Because he takes seriously any threat against his home. Also,” he said, reaching into his robes, “you will have these.” He held up four amulets. The round pendants shone with a dim bronze luster.
“What are those?” Kull asked.
“A bit of trickery. They will help you blend in with the people of this world. There’s not much magic in them, certainly not enough to cause suspicion, but anyone who looks on you will immediately be put at ease and be more inclined to trust you.”
He handed the amulets to us. We put them on, then tucked them under our clothes.
“The magic in these pendants is not strong enough to protect you from physical harm,” Lucretian said. “Be warned—do not make an enemy of Jeven. While these amulets will help him to trust you, they will not save you from his sword. Enter his castle, earn his trust until you’re able to locate the sword, and steal it before he discovers you.”
“We understand,” I said.
Lucretian nodded, looking solemn. “Return quickly.”
Maveryck gave Grace one final
