Page 217 of Curse of Darkness
It could work. Stories twist, after all. And what better way to cast attention elsewhere than to create a mythical being? Nobody’s going to look at me and believe there’s a smoldering heart of fire deep in my chest.
“And if you ever want to test out your powers,” Thiago says, “I know a private little hunting cabin deep in the heart of the forests surrounding Mistmere. We could sneak away in the winter, when there’s enough snow to protect the forests, and I could teach you how to fly.”
“Fly?” My heart skips a beat.
“I did see the look in your eyes when I mentioned your wings, Vi.” He smiles. A soft, beautiful smile full of shared joy. “I’d love to go flying with you. You’re not the only one who’s hidden their wings for far too long.”
It sounds perfect.
Everything I’ve ever wanted is right in front of me. A home. A family. A daughter. A husband who adores me. And now this….
My magic.
Fully and wholly mine.
“I’d like that,” I whisper, sinking back into his embrace.
* * *
“Knock, knock!”someone calls through the door. “Are you out of the bath yet? You’re going to get all pruney!”
I giggle as Thiago tries to button me into his shirt. “I’m surprised you lasted this long.”
An impatient growl echoes through the door. “Are the pair of you decent?”
“No,” Thiago calls, just as I yell out, “Yes.”
There’s a moment of hesitation.
“You’re such a liar,” Thalia says, shoving the door open and entering with her hand over her eyes. “But just in case you are actually not decent, Thiago, I’m prepared to protect my poor eyes.”
“He’s wearing his trousers,” I tell her.
Thiago scowls and swats me on the backside. “Traitor.”
Thalia lowers her hand, rakes the room with a practiced eye—her eyebrow lifting when she sees the bubbles and towels everywhere—and then she turns back to us with a grin.
“You’re back!”
I have a second’s grace before she throws herself at me.
“Safe, Thalia. Safe.” I close my eyes and lean into the embrace. “Thank you. For looking after Amaya.”
“Yes, well,” she growls. “I had some choice words for a certain walking carpetbag who simply plucked her out of my lap while I was reading a book to her. They both fucking vanished right before my eyes, and I had half the bloody castle out looking for them before they returned.”
“It’s a long story.”
“Oh, I’ve heard half of it.” She takes my hands, her eyes suspiciously shiny. “Furious battles. Goblins coming to our aid. The Horned One. And this mysterious firebird thing that destroyed him. Did you have something to do with that?”
“Me?” I protest, though I know my face pales.
“Burning half the Hallow?” Thiago laughs under his breath. “Whilst it does sound like something Vi would do, I think it had something to do with the Mother of Night’s sacrifice. Perhaps she was reborn into a new body?”
Our eyes meet.
“Mmm. I need to know more about her.” Thalia taps her lips. “If there’s something with that power flying around our kingdom, then we need to know if it’s friendly.”
“The last we saw her, she was flapping north.” Thiago shrugs.
