Page 268 of Kingdoms of Night

Her old world fell away. The transport was a gentle glide through the interdimensional energies that existed in the cracks of the veil between worlds. The world stopped spinning when Geraint’s lips broke from her flesh. When she opened her eyes, she was greeted with a streak of witch fire flaring up in the palms of a group of angry witches.

CHAPTERFOURTEEN

It was the worst ley line travel Geraint had ever experienced. He was used to Lady Gwin or Lady Morgan and the smooth travel their magic provided. As the energy swirled around him, the ground shifted and then shook. The world tilted first right and then left, and then he felt himself tumbling down as though he was being swallowed up by the earth.

Because he had been swallowed up by the earth.

He hadn’t thought to question the mode of portal travel from the fae world to the human world. It made sense that a plant species would travel through the soil. Except Geraint and Gawain were human and needed air to breathe into their lungs.

He tried to keep his mouth closed, but his lungs burned with the need for oxygen. Involuntarily, his lips parted. When he gasped, he only caught a few bits of dirt in his mouth before the fertile ground gave way and he was topsoil again.

Worst transport ever. Worse than any air travel wracked by nonstop turbulence. Worse than the sea voyage on a luxury yacht he’d taken a few days ago in the Bermuda Triangle, where he’d been swallowed up and sunk down to the bottom of the ocean.

The only thing this horrific ley line journey compared to was when Loren had opened a portal with her inexperienced magic. He’d felt nearly ripped apart by her shenanigans.

Loren.

Just the thought of her and her betrayal upset Geraint’s stomach. He tried to shake the blonde from his mind, but Loren was a tenacious thing. They’d fought and argued her first month at the castle. Once she’d decided they would be brothers, it had been a losing battle.

Which was why her duplicity had hurt so much. Geraint knew she had loose morals. He knew she was prone to lie. That’s why he and Wain had preempted her attempt to travel beyond the Veil. But she’d been lying even before that.

He knew she’d done it for her friend. Geraint would do anything for his family. He would do even more for his wife.

He had a wife.

Wait, where was his wife?

Enid had been in his arms when the tree’s roots had risen around them. As he’d sunk down, nothing but dirt had filled his arms. She’d been wrenched from his hold.

Dirt clouded his vision, but not his nose. He scented her. That sweet lavender scent was near. He opened his mouth to call to her. All that came out was a cough followed by more dirt.

Logically, he knew she was fine. Though he and Enid had gotten off to a rocky start, they were now coming to his home world. There was no safer place for her than in Camelot.

“That’s her!”

Geraint knew that voice. The cry came from Lady Gwin. She didn’t sound like her usual welcoming self. That statement had been accusatory.

Geraint brushed the last specks of dirt from his eyes. The vision before him was still disorienting. They had landed in the town square in a patch of flowers. Lady Gwin, her sister, and a few other witches advanced, their hands raised with glowing witch fire. Their faces were determined and serious, ready to do serious magic.

Was there a threat in Camelot? Not again. How had another foe breached their lands? And on Enid’s first day here, no less.

Geraint drew his sword and placed his back to Gawain, with Enid behind them both.

“Uh, G,” said Wain, who had not drawn his sword. “I think we might have a problem.”

Geraint didn’t care about any problems. All he cared about was protecting his wife. He hadn’t even given the woman a proper honeymoon yet. He hadn’t even carried her across the threshold, as newlyweds do.

“Geraint, step away from the fairy,” called Morgan. Her gaze was fierce and intent on… Enid.

Enid stood her ground as she faced off against the gathered coven. Thorny vines encircled her arms. The trees above bent down toward her. The blades of grass at her feet stood erect, like tiny green swords ready to slice the feet and ankles of anyone who dared advance on her.

“You won’t catch me slipping this time, Tinkerbell,” said Morgan.

“It wasn’t so hard the first time,” said Enid.

Geraint lowered his sword as he stood between the women. “Have you two met?”

“She stole from the vault,” said Gwin.

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