Page 80 of The Rebel Seer

A command and one I’m more than willing to follow. I let him lead me to what is obviously a space meant for pleasure. As we reach the landing, soft candlelight flares to life, and I see what I did not before. What I thought were curtains are hundreds of pixies. Wings of all colors and sizes flutter against the window, moonlight joining the candles to illuminate this space where we will join our lives and magic together.

Life and death. Spring and autumn.

Rhys and Shy.

The window has no glass in it, but like the palace there’s a magical barrier. I can feel a warm breeze, but if Rhys wills it the temple will close itself off. For now it lets in the light from the moon and the stars, the sweet scent of night-blooming flowers caressing my senses.

His face falls suddenly, and a low groan goes through him. “Shy, my pack is back in the palace. Damn it.”

His pack. With all the helpful items he brought along. Condoms. There’s no pulling out with a fertility god. The pill doesn’t work either.

But I asked the vine if it didn’t mind moving on early. I have control of my body. I turn the wheel.

Damn. I am not human. Or rather I am human and something more. “It’s okay, Rhys. I’m not ready for a child. I won’t be for a while.”

Our powers are complementary. They only work on each other when we wish them to. I feel it so keenly that I know it’s true.

“You can stop me.” There’s a slight smile on his lips. Admiration.

“I can decide. Our bodies are wheels, too. I decide when I’m ready, and no gorgeous fertility god can get around my will.” I move into his space this time. He has never had control over this part of his magic. His father hadn’t either. It was only when he took on Bris that Dev Quinn could control some of it. “I am your control, Rhys. I am your goddess.”

“My magic flows from you.”

“And mine flows from you.” We are like the stream that runs through the temple. We meet in the middle, our magic forming a pool we can drink from, luxuriate in, draw from. We do not have to fear our magic. I would not have found this magic without Rhys Donovan-Quinn, and his would be out of control without me.

“You are sure?” Rhys asks, his whole body taut but his eyes hot on me.

As sure as I can be. I know it deep in my soul, the same way I know we were meant to come here. Myrddin might have tricked us, but there is a greater purpose at work.

The wizard really should remember the rule of three. But that is a thought for another night.

I nod.

“Then you should be undressed, my goddess.”

I take a deep breath, ready to begin.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Sasha

Sasha breathed deeply, thanking the universe that he wasn’t afraid of small spaces. These “tunnels” had obviously been created for brownies and trolls and gnomes. The small Fae creatures. They had not been created for a six-foot, three-inch muscular vampire. And yet he fit. He had to walk sideways, but he fit as long as he didn’t breathe too deeply.

“Are we almost there? This is terrible. And the smells…”

Neil had decided to come along. He also decided to complain. A lot. Sasha had shushed him several times, but Bibi had explained the walls were reenforced with magic. Lee had brought in witches to spell the tunnels so they were soundproof. Going out. Not coming in. They would be able to see and hear what was going on in the dungeons once they reached what Bibi called the king’s audience room.

It wasn’t a part of the tunnel system the rebels had managed to build over the last decade, but they had attached a tunnel to it.

“We are close to the audience room,” Bibi promised. “It will not be so crowded.”

Neil sighed behind him, but Sasha kept moving. “How will we know the king won’t be watching tonight?”

“Because he hasn’t used it in years,” Bibi replied. “Once he met the wizard he started participating in the torture sessions. I believe it is because the magic works better if he is in the room.”

“What do they say about the king’s new magic?” Neil asked.

“That it is dark. We all fear it. They say when the king or the wizard has you, there is no coming back. Not even in death,” Bibi said quietly, moving with ease. “They say he eats souls.”

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