Why do I dream of holding the queen while she is dying? And why does it still hurt so badly when I dream of it? Her death was my fault. It must have been. Why else would I feel such guilt and pain when I think on it? I want to understand how I failed her, so I do not repeat this mistake again in this life, but I do not want to ask in front of Kyra because I fear the answer to my questions will be something terrible.
As if sensing my dark thoughts, Willow’s eyes dart briefly to mine before she turns her gaze back to the fire.
The sun dips low on the horizon as night begins to settle in. The air grows colder as the wind picks up outside the house. She looks to the window. “It’s fortunate you found me when you did. A terrible tempest is brewing outside. I believe it is a sign that the God of Destruction senses your presence in this world, now that you have returned.”
“Will he find us here?” I ask.
She shakes her head. “You are safe this night. I swear it.”
I have no choice but to take her word as I stare out the window and notice the dark clouds gathering overhead. A rolling boom of thunder shakes the house as lightning streaks across the sky. Rain begins falling in thick, heavy sheets, battering against the thin panes of glass.
Willow adds more wood to the hearth, stoking the fire until it turns into a roaring flame to warm the house. When she is finished, she leads us to the only bedroom in the cottage.
“Here.” She gestures to the small bed in the corner of the room. “You may sleep in my room tonight. There’s extra clothing in the dresser for you both.”
My brow furrows and a smile tips her lips as she looks to me. “I knew you two were coming. It has been foretold for some time. So I made certain I had clothes for a man on hand.”
Kyra nervously bites her lower lip as her gaze sweeps from the bed back to me.
Sensing her discomfort, I move to reassure her. “I’ll take the floor. You can have the bed.”
“You don’t have to do that. You can have the—”
“No,” I smile. “I insist.”
Willow arches a brow. “The tub is full of hot water if you’d like to use it.” She gestures to a room divider across the way.
I walk around the flimsy partition and notice the large clawfoot tub full of water just behind it but no obvious plumbing.
“How did you get the hot water?”
“Magic has many uses.” She winks and wiggles her fingers.
“Ah,” I reply. Of course, it does in a place such as this. “You will have to teach me some of that.”
She blinks up at me. “You already possess magic of your own. Do you not feel it?”
I frown and look at my hands. “To be honest, no, I do not.”
“It will come to you with time,” she replies sagely. “I am certain of it.”
When she leaves the room, I realize she hasn’t left us any towels.
“I’ll be right back.” I tell Kyra. “Just need to get us some towels.”
“All right,” she replies as she sits on the edge of the bed.
When I go back into the living area, Talina is sitting on the sofa.
“Where is your mother? I was going to see if she had any towels we might use.”
Talina’s eyes move to the door. “She’s outside, making sure the protective wards are in place.” My brow furrows in confusion, so she explains. “They are barrier spells to keep out any who would mean you harm.”
“That sounds… handy. Do you think you could teach me some of those wards or spells?” I ask, hopeful.
She nods. “You’ve not had practice, so they will not be as strong as what my mother or I can conjure, but it should be enough to allow you to sleep soundly during your travels.”
“Thank you,” I tell her. “So, how do we begin?”
She stands and moves toward me. Her lavender eyes search mine a moment before she takes both my hands. A soft glow emanates from the connection as warmth seeps through my palms at her touch. She closes her eyes, concentrating, and my mouth drifts open as words form in my mind, strange and not in any tongue I’ve ever heard before. It is as if they are being etched directly into my consciousness. Although I’ve never spoken them before, I am now able to speak them aloud, the lilting words strange but almost musical on my tongue.
A flash of memory flits through my thoughts. It’s my nightmare, but different. Instead of holding the queen as she dies, I’m kneeling before her body, laid out in state. The ache in my chest is unbearable, and a tear slips down my cheeks, unbidden.
“What is this?” My voice comes out as barely a whisper as I struggle to choke back a sob. “Why do I feel this way?”
Talina reaches up to gently cup my cheek. “You remember mourning your queen,” she whispers. “You were devastated because you blamed yourself.”
“Why?” I ask.
She shakes her head. “There are things you much discover for yourself, my Lord.”
The image returns and a man walks up beside me. His entire body glowing so brightly, it is difficult to look upon him.
She inhales sharply and pulls away, her eyes wide as she stares up at me.
“The God of Creation granted your request.”
I shake my head softly in confusion. “What request?”
“You asked him for a favor, and he granted it.”
“What favor? What are you talking about?” I do not remember speaking to the man.
“The God of Creation told you that you would both be reborn. You feared she would come to the same end if you were the only one she accepted into her guard, so you asked him for four others. Four guards
