Page 34 of A Witch Out of Time
“Not you,” Tan wrinkled his nose. “You’re not pretty enough.”
I smiled at their antics, content in knowing Tan and Asa were on the mend and Nox was finally mine. And truth be told, I also liked Rena, not only because she saved my life but for how invested she seemed in our success. Veles was a bit bossy for my taste, but we all had the same goal, and I suspected both gods knew more than we did about this legacy we shared.
“I may have to agree with Rena about your questionable lineage,” I added thoughtfully. “While I gained some basic abilities after becoming Yaga, the most powerful elemental magic seems to originate from you three—or, at least, from my connection to you.” I began counting off on my fingers. “Asa’s heat that cleared the algae from the swan clan’s lake. Tan’s light that protected us during the convoy ambush. Nox’s stormy darkness that brought the rains the night he and I were in the sacred grove together…”
I trailed off as my Darkest Midnight winked at me. His glance made wetness bloom between my thighs, which caused all three men to then zero in on me like predators.
We truly are a pack of horny teenagers!
Breathing evenly, I continued, “Not to mention, how you all somehow got past my forest wards in the first place to find me at the thermal pools. And, of course, how you can all see me in my true form.”
“Well, so can Noxy’s dear old dad, apparently,” Tan piped in helpfully. “Although I don’t know whythatnob goblin would be able to see our witch when this isourlegacy.”
Nox growled possessively, and I scowled in solidarity. “Yes, I still don’t understand why Matthew can see me, or why he thinks that gives him any claim over me. Right now, I’m trying to focus onhowI became Yaga and why my control over time seems to relate to you Riders.”
“Wait, wait, wait. Everybody just stop talking,” Ace pleaded, his hands frantically rubbing his temples as if he had a headache. “Noxy...my legacy...cave paintings…”
“Here we go,” Nox grumbled. “Ace has finally lost the plot.”
“Let him think!” I hissed, punching Nox’s arm to quiet him, which did little more than cause him to smirk down at me with interest. We then walked in silence for a few minutes, patiently waiting for Asa to collect himself.
“My mother!” Asa finally gasped, looking up at Tan in astonishment. “Mymotherappeared after you came to me, but I don’t think it was the first time I saw her. I can’t...I can’t seem to remember...”
Tan smiled encouragingly. “It’s all right, Acey. The memory will come back to you in time.”
Asa shook his head, unconvinced. “She looked exactly the same butdifferentsomehow...” He suddenly whipped around to face Nox again, pure confusion on his face. “She called you‘Noxy!’”
My Darkest Midnight furrowed his brow. “That’s fucking weird considering I only met her the one time, in London.” I felt a hint of guilt in our bond—probably related to what Nox knew about her death—even as he casually shrugged. “Maybe your subconscious was mixing up something Tan would say with your mother’s face. Or, maybe you’re just going crazy...”
“I’m not fucking crazy!” Asa shouted, fists clenched in anger. “We were in the cave where all life began and I saw Vasilisa and her Riders painted in a perfect circle on the wall and my mother told me I needed to learn about the gods and that it was time to let destiny take me before she pushed me into the river to escape Koschei!”
Tan immediately wrapped himself around Asa, adorably soothing in his ear, “Well done,Gueneshem! You’re remembering things now, ya? Now, tell me. Was the painting pornographic in any way?”
Asa barked out a laugh, gathering Tan closer to deliver a searing kiss. I noticed Nox smiling faintly at their display and realized he’d probably been worried about his friends’ relationship as well. There had been so much strife among us in the past several weeks, it hadn’t seemed possible to think we could ever exist as a harmonious unit.
But we’re together now.
My happiness was short-lived as I crested yet another hill to find a familiar building dominating the city below. Five stories of brick and tile, brilliantly painted in red, yellow and orange, with a tented roof and gaudy gold features shining in the light of the setting sun. My gaze wandered over the surrounding wall to a third-floor window and my breath caught at the painful memories held within.
It appeared I had no choice but to face the darkest moments of my past. However, I knew these experiences had made me who I was, and there was something to be gained through the journey. As the full moon rose in the sky above the Tsar’s palace, I led my men toward our second quest because, this time, I wanted them by my side, so we could face it together.
Chapter 28
Vasilisa
The palace was as hideously ornate as I remembered it. As we ascended the sweeping stone steps to the main entryway, I braced myself for a guard orboyarto demand we leave, but they let us pass without question. It wasn’t until a large group of fashionable courtiers hurried by without a second glance at our common appearance did I realize no one could see us.
The entire court was buzzing with excitement and, as most seemed to be headed in the same direction, we followed the crowd. A few twists and turns later, and I knew exactly where we would end up.
Which means an event of great importance is happening!
The First Chamber Assembly Hall was not the grand ballroom one might expect in a palace, but an intimate, densely decorated space. Moonlight poured through the yellow, blue, and purple panes of stained glass, reflecting a prism of color around the teal and gold room. Bold floral murals covered the walls, and visiting dignitaries sat stiffly on venetian velvet chairs facing inward.
Nox used his massive frame to clear a path to the first row before shifting me in front of him for a better view. I gasped as I took in the couple standing in front of the Orthodox priest. The boy in his brocadekaftan,so young he could barely grow a mustache, and the girl in her heavy layers of diamonds and embroidery, hair tucked into an elaboratekokoshnik.She was shaking as she turned to face her new husband, but attempted a sweet smile to hide her fears.
“Is that magnificent creatureyou,doll?” Tan was smiling broadly, glowing so brightly with that inner light of his, he was rivaling the moonlight.
Asa hummed in approval as he lightly brushed his knuckle down my cheek. “Beautiful,” he whispered, and I could feel my face reddening in response to their attention.
