Page 409 of Kingdoms of Night

“Isa,” Werian said, “you, John, and Eamon head for Viridi.”

“I have no idea where he will be.”

“I’m guessing your intuition will tell you,” Werian said. “Do you agree, lady wife?”

Rhianne smiled. “My witch’s instinct says you’re fated for one another, or at least deeply connected in some way. And if you don’t feel a tug in one direction or another, then go to his castle.”

“All right.” Isa looked at Nico. “I want you to stay aboard and stay safe.”

“I will. Even though I want to fight for you. I’m your brother.” His blue eyes flashed, daring anyone to deny it.

She blinked, her heart shaking. “Yes, you are,” she confirmed, feeling the new truth of it. They might not be blood kin, but he was still her brother and she loved him so very, very much.

Nico hugged her fiercely as the ship rolled over a wave and the water crashed. The wind whipped his short hair as he pulled away. “Viridi won’t hurt you, right?”

“I hope not. I don’t think so.” She didn't want to lie to him.

“Once we incapacitate the dragon, we will have this battle well in hand,” Werian said. “Not to brag, but I’m fairly good with a bow. My wife here is better, and she is, of course, a witch.”

Rhianne tapped the end of her sheathed wand. “I will fight hard and get to you as quickly as possible, Isa. If things go badly, just return to the ship or find shelter along the beach. We will find you. Fae can scent people very easily.”

“We are hard to kill too. It will be easy,” Werian said.

“Dragonfire kills everything,” Nico said.

“True.” Werian patted him on the back. “I don’t plan to get in that youngling’s path, believe me.”

“Let’s just hope the dragon doesn’t set the forest on fire before you have your chance at him,” Rhianne said.

Isa went to the bow, Nico on her heels, and they watched the Brunes’ ship sail closer and closer to the island of the dryad elves. If the wards held, this whole thing would be over before it started.

CHAPTERTWENTY

VIRIDI

Under the starry sky, the dryad elves gathered at the spring in the very heart of the island and chanted in the ancient tree tongue. Magic, flickering in shades of pine, grass, and pale lichen, shimmered from their mouths to the surface of the spring. Then the power floated in bands of pinprick light toward the island’s spiritual boundary, an invisible line about a mile from the uneven shoreline.

But the bands of light dimmed as they rose into the air, the magic dissipating before it could create the wards that kept their island invisible and unapproachable to all but dryad elves.

The king’s lips drew down and his cold gaze settled on Viridi’s face. “Someone doesn’t care to reset our wards…”

“We must,” Viridi said, meeting his father’s eyes. “If we don’t,” he said, addressing the gathered leaders of the tribes and the most powerful magic wielders on the island, “and others arrive, I may lose myself and end their lives. It is for the safety of innocents that we create these wards.”

Father looked away from Viridi, seemingly satisfied that Viridi’s magic wasn’t the lacking element of this spell work. “If any of you have doubts or thoughts, please feel free to speak.”

But no one did.

Felix’s brow furrowed as he studied Viridi from across the circle of elves. Viridi cocked his head questioningly at his friend, and Felix raised both eyebrows, his lips pursed. Viridi shook his head a fraction to let Felix know that it wasn’t Viridi. Felix bit his lip, then grimaced.

Viridi blinked.Wasit his own magic holding back the ward casting?

He swallowed. Maybe his power was acting on his secret wish that Isa would return somehow and everything would be pleasant again. It was an ignorant wish and well he knew it. All day while he took rest in the jeweltree that looked over the ocean, he’d dreamed of her laugh, the fire of curiosity and life in her eyes, the strength in her spirit despite all she had been through at the hands of those other humans. The way she loved and protected Nico was incredibly admirable. He wished he could just have one more night of talking with her and holding her.

He shut his eyes. The failed magic was due to him and his heart.

“Let us try once more,” he said, opening his eyes and refusing to look at Father. “This must be done.”

But after five more attempts, it was clear that his magic refused to go against his heart.

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