Page 41 of Wind and Water
“Thank you.” I stand and lay the blanket on the sand.
Smile firmly in place, Liam sits beside me, leaving no space between us. “I think Jadar is enamored with you.”
“Are you jealous?” I’m teasing, but I can’t help noticing the way his jaw tightens.
“More than I have any right to be.” He watches as the centaurs circle the perimeter.
Changing the subject, I ask, “Why is there no breeze here? I’ve never seen a place so still.”
Looking around, he shrugs. “I’m not certain. Perhaps the lost land and the curse of its sinking have stolen the wind.”
“Sounds ridiculous.” I lean my head back on the hard wood and close my eyes. “Maybe the loss of land caused some kind of odd weather pattern.” It’s a much more sensible idea, even though not much has made sense since I arrived here.
“You may be right. I suspect it’s this lack of air movement that brought Venora to this place. The demons she creates would have an easier time moving about with no wisps of wind.” He eases my head up and slides his arm under so that I’m lying on his biceps.
Much more comfortable, I sigh. “And the evil. Even I can feel it.”
“Yes. This is a dark place.” He pulls me close and kisses my hair.
I open my eyes as I lean against his strong side. Centaurs sleep in a circle around us. “Do you have to give permission for someone to affect your magic spell?”
“Not strictly, but with it, the bond is stronger. Also, it’s polite.” He smiles, meeting my gaze. “I’m sorry this is the way you came into my world. I wish I could have shown you the beauty and wonders of Domhan.”
“Perhaps those are yet to come.” Trusting that Liam and the centaurs will keep me safe, I sleep.
Chapter Ten
Liam
I’ve been a soldier for my entire adult life. For more than fifteen suns, I have trained and fought. I have faced Venora’s army and her creatures on the battlefield more times than I can count. Yet walking across the shallows of the lost land toward the black tower, I’m more afraid than at any time I can remember.
As a soldier, I am prepared to die. I am not willing to watch Wren come to harm.
Focusing on the magic that shields the centaurs, I feel their strong yet rough magic bolstering my spell. It’s my first time feeling the energy of centaur magic. They are nothing like I expected, leaving me ashamed of the prejudices of my people.
Both Martin women immediately called out the ugly way elves view the other species who share our world when we’ve made no attempts to know them.
“Are you alright?” Wren asks as we get close enough to see the smoothness of the seamless stone rising from the sand and water. It’s as if the tower were cut from one piece of black glass that sucks in the sunlight rather than reflecting it.
“I worry that I’ll not be able to protect you.” I’m relieved that I closed my mind to her, as I worry my fear will be reflected back to me.
“We follow the plan. The point is to get Momma back and stay alive. Nothing more.” Her voice is tight, and a slight whip of wind disrupts the stillness.
“Easy, sweetheart.” I keep my voice soft and soothing, even as a thrill runs through me at seeing her magic pushing to get free.
I stop far enough away that we can see the top of the tower. The evil emanating from it makes bile rise in my throat. I’ve never felt anything like it.
Wren whispers, “When this is over, if I never see that horrid thing again, it will be too soon.”
“Ready?” I wish I felt more so.
“As I’ll ever be. Though I feel like a cornered cat.” She pulls her shoulders back and stares up the side to the top. “Venora Braddish, I am Wren Martin of the human world. You will return my mother to me unharmed.”
The first shadow demon floats out of the tower. It’s soon joined by many more.
“They know we’re here.” My instinct to draw my sword is so strong that my fingers itch. Reminding myself to stay with the plan, and that a blade is of no use against shadow demons, I call my magic and hold the golden ball tight in my hand.
From high above, Venora’s voice fills the air. “Another puny human woman who thinks she can best me. I am the ruler of this world. None can command me.”
