Page 13 of Harbinger

Galliad swallowed heavily and nodded. His gaze swiveled to Morgan. “Which brings me to the plea. This plague appeared in Ivory Peaks twelve hours ago. It’s already killed a hundred Dryads and decimated a large section of forested land to the east. By our count, it will ravage the entirety of our kingdom within five days.”

Cassius’s mouth went dry. Shocked gasps echoed around the room.

Jasper’s brows met. “But—this thing hasn’t affected the otherworldly on Earth. How come it’s killing Dryads?”

“Jas is right,” Reuben said with a puzzled frown.

“Is that true?!” Galliad croaked.

“Yes,” Cassius mumbled.

The Dryad shuddered and closed his eyes, his features distorted by a pained grimace. “At least that’s a small mercy, considering what Regina was warned about.” Resolved brightened his pupils when he opened them once more. He turned to Morgan. “I do not know why this plague is making our people sick, but not the otherworldly here. But I am certain of one thing. We needyouto save Ivory Peaks. Only a direct descendant of Queen Atlanteia can wield the divine magic buried within its bones and protect the realm.”

* * *

Morgan’s heartslammed a rapid tempo against his ribs as Galliad’s words faded into heavy silence.

He was conscious the mage, and by default the Dryad royal family, would not be asking this of him unless they were truly desperate. He met Cassius’s anxious gaze and saw the answer he wished to deny in his beautiful eyes. The answer that had come unbidden to his own throat and that he was choking back, knowing instinctively that it would mean their separation.

“You have to go,” Cassius said quietly. His knuckles whitened at his sides, betraying his true feelings. “You are the demigod who inherited the Dryad realm. It is your duty to—”

The rest of his sentence was swallowed by Morgan’s lips.

Cassius froze before melting against him, his eyelids fluttering closed and his hands rising to clasp Morgan’s face with equal heat.

Someone cleared their throat after a moment.

Morgan slowly lifted his mouth from Cassius’s. Color stained his lover’s cheekbones as their soul cores resonated with the love and passion that burned eternally bright between them.

He pressed his forehead against Cassius’s.

“Come with me,” he whispered.

Cassius touched his cheek and shook his head, his eyes darkening. “You know I can’t do that. It looks like Loki’s dream and Regina’s Harbinger are one and the same. Which means there’s a good chance this plague will soon be upon this city.”

Galliad drew a sharp breath. “The Keeper of the Key had a similar premonition?”

“Yes,” Morgan replied reluctantly.

“Cassius is right, Morgan,” Eden said. “That’s why I’m here. My staff told me our city is in imminent danger. And he thinks we can help fight whatever is coming.”

Reuben and Jasper stiffened. Victor’s brow furrowed. Kazmi and Strickland stared at Eden’s pendant, their unease evident.

“Your stafftoldyou?” Strickland said dubiously.

Brianna sighed.

Eden dipped her head. “Woody can talk.” She grimaced. “Well, kinda. I can hear his voice in my head.”

Bailey blinked. He leaned toward Zach. “Did she just call the Bloodcursed Devilwood Summoning StaffWoody?!”

“That’s what it sounded like,” the demon muttered in a voice laced with pity.

The weapon sagged a little against Eden’s throat. It was clear it did not approve of its mundane name.

“I’ll go with Morgan.”

Morgan and Cassius turned, surprised. Theo’s face fell.

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