Page 1072 of One More Kiss

Chapter17

The shower was luxurious,better than any I’d ever had back home.

I had turned the water off and was drying myself with a thick, fluffy towel - faerie cotton? - when I had the strangest feeling that Jett was near.

Which couldn’t be true.

Not only was it impossible for him to enter the Palace, assuming he’d made it through the Midnight Gate, but how would I even sense him? We didn’t have that kind of bond. Or did we?

Goodness knew I was attracted to him. I might even love him. I couldn’t begin to picture another man in my life, there was only Jett. Which was crazy, but there it was. I had to stop lying to myself and admit the truth. I was in love with Jett.

Had Alyssia’s Goddess seen us, and bonded us?

I guessed it was possible, and it was the only thing that explained this feeling that he was near.

I frowned. The feeling had gone now. Perhaps I’d imagined it after all. But even so, he’d come looking for me soon. He’d know I was missing by now. I had to get moving.

There was a knock on the front door and it opened as I was putting my boots and sword back on. My clothes were all fresh and clean, even the leather. I wish I could have one of these magic laundry shelves back home. It was wonderful. I felt like a new person.

Alyssia was dressed in an elaborate outfit, a dress with tiers of gauze and lace and all the colors of the rainbow. It made her look ethereal, a princess of light and magic. On me it would have been ridiculous, but it suited her perfectly. Which was crazy considering that we looked exactly the same. But looks weren’t everything. The way we each carried ourselves, me like a fighter, and her like a dancer, was what made us unique.

And the way we spoke. Alyssia’s word choices and tone mimicked Fin and Dad, her Fae heritage shining through, whereas I spoke like the earth raised human I was. It looked like nurture was winning over nature for the two of us.

“Where’s Fin? I thought he was coming with us.”

“He had to go take care of something. He’ll meet us there.” She led the way back to the transit area at the end of the hallway that I’d arrived at with Fin the day before.

I looked around. “Why did we come here? Can’t you just magic us to where ever we need to go?”

“I could, but we might materialize in the middle of someone else.” She linked her arm through mine, drawing me into the circle. “And I want to teach you how to use the circles, so you can transport yourself. It’s easier with the pillars for focus.”

A fission of excitement went through me. “Yes, please.”

“You’ve been to the ballroom, yes?”

I nodded.

“Place your hand here,” she pressed my palm to the top of the pillar, “and visualize the transit room near the ballroom. Remember the circle that you stood on in that place. Imagine what it would feel like to be there.”

I did as she asked. “Now what?”

“Open your eyes.”

I opened my eyes and gasped with surprise. We were standing in the transit room near the ballroom. “How did that happen? I didn’t feel a thing!”

Alyssia smiled. “You’re a natural. With the pillars boosting your magic you won’t notice a drain. Longer distances may impact, which is why we use gems.”

I stepped fully into the room, seeing the same rows of circles and pillars as yesterday. “If all the transit centers have circles and pillars, and you can only go to places you’ve been before, how do you tell them apart?”

“Magic.” She laughed at my expression. “It is magic. But it’s also the feel of a place. Each place is unique, and your magic is attuned to the differences.”

She turned me around and pushed me back into the circle. “Try it on your own this time. Go back to the hallway transit zone. I’ll use another circle.”

I gripped the pillar tightly, trying to figure out and replicate what I’d just done.

“Relax and close your eyes. “ Alyssia laughed. “Don’t try so hard! Picture the hallway, and feel it. Imagine you’re there.”

Once again, I did as she asked.

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