Realizing that the Prince won’t concede, the girl takes a deep breath and closes her eyes.

“One day, I would like to have a home in your kingdom. A good home. One that I can be proud to care for and that people will not turn me away from.”

He howls, then throws his hands onto his hips.

“Milady, though I am not yet King, I promise you that you will have your home and more the moment I ascend the throne! Not only will you come to live in my Kingdom, but I invite you to my court. You will reside in the castle and be taken care of for all your days.”

Her smile spreads, and she flings her arms around the Prince’s neck.

He looks shocked, but his face softens, and he returns the embrace, squeezing her tightly. “I must return now,” he says as he pulls away. “But in two days, I will return and bring food and gifts. Will you meet me here?”

She nods vigorously. “Yes. I will meet you here, Prince Novak.”

“Good,” he says, and mounting takes up his reins. “Two days. Wait for me.”

She smiles, holding her hands behind her back.

He turns his mount and then throws up a hand. “Gods, forgive me! I did not ask your name.”

The girl laughs in delight. “My name is Cyra, Your Highness. Cyra Hyland.”

What? The vision blurs, and I fly down a contorting tunnel of colors. Without warning, I hit the ground, landing solidly on my rear. Heaving, I open my eyes. I’m back where I started, and the older woman, the Minea, has released my hand.

“Come,” is all she says. She turns from me and makes her way back to the village.

I remain on the ground panting for a few more moments before my palms begin to hiss with their now-familiar dissent.

I will follow her to her home, but this time, I’ll be the one asking the questions.

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Seventeen

Idalia

She settles into the red chair and crosses her ankles. The house looks much as it did the day before, although now, I hear soft music and the plants don’t appear ready to strangle me. I stand stiffly by the door, and we stare at each other as if waiting to see who’ll speak first. But I’m too tired, too confused to play this game.

“What was that?” I demand, moving to stand directly in front of her.

“What was what?” She returns with a shrug.

“That! The vision! When I touched your hand, I traveled somewhere. When you released me, I returned. How?”

“That was no vision.” She smiles and calmly takes a teacup from the table and briskly stirs the liquid. “A Minea possesses magic, as you’ve been told, but you don’t understand what kind. We have a rather special ability, one that allows us to see into the past.”