Page 77 of Wings of Snow

Laughter burst from Ilara’s lips as everyone else grinned.

“Ock, well, the bastard deserved it,” Nish growled.

I laughed again as I pulled Ilara close, but my hands still shook. I agreed with my guards. That had been much too close, and if we never ventured to an underwater city again, it was fine by me.

CHAPTER 22 - ILARA

We spent a few hours at the inn, then decided it was better if Norivun cast illusion masks over all of us before moving to a new location.

With hidden identities, we could all rest easier, in case Drachu attempted to track us down and exact his revenge. Even though none of us feared Drachu outright, especially now that he was without his stolen powers, we also knew that he was undoubtedly furious by what we’d done, even if he deserved it.

So with Norivun’s illusion affinity masking our appearances, making us appear Nolus instead of Solis, we reserved three rooms at a new inn, several millees from the capital’s palace.

We decided it was best to stay put until we heard from Bavar Fieldstone, so we used the time to rest and replenish our magic. It was also the first time Norivun and I had ever been able to spend days together in bed, doing nothing but soaking up the bliss of our newly sealed bond.

On our fourth day in the capital, I held Drachu’s pendant between my fingers and let the light shine through it. It throbbed every time one of us put it near our skin, its power beckoning. Since we’d all seen firsthand what exorbitant power the pendant wielded, none of us had dared put it on. Who knew how it would change us.

“How do you suppose we destroy it?” I asked, as my head lay on Norivun’s chest while we dozed naked in bed. My mate had thoroughly pleasured me for the third time that afternoon, and I was blissfully sated.

He ran his hand up and down my back, right between my wings. “Who’s to say it can be destroyed? And if we did manage to destroy it, who’s to say it wouldn’t hurt you in the process.”

I nibbled on my lip. “I’ve thought of that too. But since it contains the diamond that’s able to channel my magic, I’m still vulnerable. If this falls into the wrong hands, my affinities would be available to anyone. As long as this necklace exists, I’m at risk.”

A low growl rumbled in his chest. “Which is why no one will ever know of it or be able to lay a finger on it.”

“Do you suppose someone knows how to extract that diamond and null that gem’s hold on my affinities?”

“That’s my hope. It’s fair to say that priestess would know since the Lochen divine wielders are who invented these pendants.”

I propped myself up more on his chest and set the necklace back on the table near the bed. “What do we do with it in the meantime?”

“Keep it hidden. Keep it safe. Once we’ve destroyed my father, we’ll find a way to extract that diamond and return your powers fully to you and you alone. Until then, no one can know about it.”

* * *

After six daysin the capital, we received word from Bavar Fieldstone that he wanted to meet with us.

We immediately mistphased to the palace, and the sentries promptly admitted us.

Bavar’s orange eyebrows rose clear to his hairline when he joined us in the admitting room. As before, he wore fine clothing, and the same dagger was strapped to his waist. “My oh my, I must say, I expected you to arrive soon but not this quickly.”

“Time is of the essence,” Norivun replied. “I hope you understand.”

Bavar bowed. “Indeed. Come. I’d like you to meet someone.”

We followed the Nolus royal to the same room we’d been in previously with the tapestries hanging from the wall, the open balconies, and the beautiful couches and chaise lounges.

The only difference was that another male was present when we entered the chamber.

The newcomer stood near the fireplace, hands in his pockets, and he wore the most unusual clothes. A black shirt, similar to a tunic but thinner and without a belt, covered his upper half, but his lower half... I had no idea what the material was. There were square pockets over his rump, and the material’s color was a flecked dark blue. Black boots covered his feet. His footwear was somewhat similar to Norivun’s but still different.

With his back to us, it was obvious he was wingless. Broad shoulders stretched his peculiar shirt. His build was tall and powerful, and I would dare to guess his height rivaled my mate’s.

The crown prince’s nostrils flared as he inhaled, and I almost gasped when the male turned slightly.

The newcomer had rounded ears. He wasn’t fae at all, which meant he wasother.

“Prince Norivun and Lady Seary, Haxil, Ryder, Sandus, and Nish, I would like to introduce you to the Fire Wolf, a dear friend of mine and someone I met through the Supernatural Forces. He’s a hunter. He specializes in finding elusive desires, and I believe he may be able to assist you with the troubles of late on your frozen continent.” Bavar bowed and made a sweeping motion toward the male.

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