Page 42 of Mistress of Hours

“I just,” she started again, fighting the tightness in her chest and losing. “The implications of what we were talking about in the library yesterday, and the Gevaud showing up so unexpectedly today, and you getting hurt, and my time magic lashing out, and this strange dissonance with the queens and lying to their faces,” the words tumbled out as tears streaked herface. “It feels like my whole life is stained glass, shattering pane by pane,” she continued.

Orion remained silent and attentive. She continued, “I know, when it’s over, I’ll see the true light of day. The colors, however lovely, are lies, it would seem.” Her voice broke as the words passed her lips.

As she spoke, Orion joined her on the floor, pulling her close. She rested her head on his shoulder, her face buried in his neck. He didn’t say a word, just held her, and she let her tears flow.

After what could have been minutes or hours, Orion’s voice broke the silence. “You’re the most courageous person I know, Evienne.”

“I’m so glad to have met you,” Evienne said, her voice now hoarse from sobbing. “I don’t know what the future will hold for either of us, or what it really means to be your Còmhanam, but if some higher destiny chose you for me, I can’t help but feel honored.”

Orion pressed a kiss to her temple, his hand rubbing soothing circles on her back. “I don’t know what I did to deserve to share my soul with you, but I will endeavor to be worthy of your love every day of my life. I know what we are facing feels impossible, but the hope of a life with you on the other side…” he trailed off, and Evienne glanced up to find a tear tracing down his cheek. She brushed it away, cupping his cheek in her hand.

“Whatever comes, I’m glad we’ll face it together,” Evienne whispered. “My brilliant, kind, fearsome Còmhanam.”

•

Eviennewas unsure if she was awake or asleep as she extended her hand to the luna moth, who seemed so familiar now. Itlanded on her hand, gently fluttering its wings, and Evienne smiled at it. It was so lovely, so bright even here in the dark.

She looked up from its hypnotic colors to see an expanse of leathery wings filling her range of vision. Its slate gray scales were the size of her hand, and the wind from its landing swept her luna moth friend into the darkness where it danced on the breeze.

The massive beast stilled, and a growling sound filled the space around Evienne. It turned then, and she caught sight of the dragon’s massive head, its amber eyes appraising her. She gasped in surprise, but she did not feel fear.

A smaller dragon, this one a vibrant, shimmering blue, peered around the larger one. It held Evienne’s gaze for a long moment before the blinding light Evienne knew too flashed searing red as she woke with a jolt.

The day broke outside Orion’s window, a winter dawn kissing Evienne’s face as she lay next to him, startled, with a sheen of sweat on her brow. Orion still slept next to her, his breathing soft and rhythmic. She savored these seconds of peace, settling them deep in her mind, calming her breathing.

She had been awake most of the night thinking about what she knew she must do, and her dream made her feel even more sure for some reason. It was the hope of more mornings like this, her Còmhanam peacefully by her side, that gave her the courage to even consider it.

“Good morning, love,” Orion’s voice greeted her, raspy with lingering sleep. She turned then to look at him, and his beauty truly overwhelmed her.

The sun caught the cool green of his eyes and illuminated every perfect plane of his face. She gave herself a moment to commit the sight to memory, smiling at him.

“I know what I have to do to find the truth,” Evienne whispered.

Orion’s brow furrowed slightly in question.

“I have to use my time magic.”

Chapter Thirty-Two

Léhiona was surroundedby a pulsing blackness. All she could see, everywhere she looked, the darkness encompassed her. Tendrils of it latched onto her skin and pulled, biting at her, burrowing deep into her bones; but she couldn’t scream. She could only watch, mute and helpless to pull away.

As more and more of the darkness dug into her, she felt her body relax. She heard the voices of others, softly at first. She couldn’t distinguish how many, but the chorus increased in volume as she listened. First, they were murmurs; after a few moments they were screams.

So many voices, screeching in anguish, begging some unseen power to save them. They were lost, confused. They called for help that wouldn’t come.

Léhiona could do nothing save bear witness to their suffering, bound as she was by the darkness. Just when she thought her soul could take no more, the darkness swallowed her whole.

She jolted, and felt the weight of Aldith’s arm draped over her. Opening her eyes, she surveyed their bedroom in the early morning light. She took a deep breath, calming her racing heart. These nightmares had become more frequent in the past months, and Léhiona didn’t know what to do about them.

She reached down to take Aldith’s hand where it lay across her waist, and her thumb brushed against something that felt wet—almost tacky. She brought her hand back up to take a closer look, struggling to see in the dimness. Still unable to see what it was, she carefully got out of the bed and padded over to the window.

She saw then that it was the sticky brown of drying blood. Sheglanced back at Aldith where she slept and saw that tiny droplets were splattered on her hand and wrist. Her wife was a Sangviere, so it wasn’t a cause for panic, but it wasn’t like Aldith to make such a mess when working her spells.

Léhiona climbed back into bed, but sleep did not find her again.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Evienne helped Orionchange the bandages on his wound, which had healed significantly through the night. He would have his full range of motion back in a few days at this rate. It seemed shifting was not the only magic that had returned to him; the quick-healing gifts of the Tuanadair had found him as well.

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