Her smile was feline as she sauntered down the many corridors, away from that cursed chamber. One arm through wasn’t enough. But it’d kindled the fire in the thousand who had shown up today for the demonstration. Whispers would follow, and many more would join the movement.

Arbor finally reached the York quarters and stepped inside. She pressed her back to the door and breathed a sigh of relief. Prescott stepped out of his adjoining chambers.

“Well?” he asked, crossing his arms.

“Is Rafael asleep?” she asked of his latest lover.

He had a long string of men and women who came to his bed.

“It’s Angelique tonight.”

She waved a hand. She didn’t remember when he’d given up with Rafi and moved on. “No matter. Are they asleep?”

“Yes. Long since.”

“Good,” she said and then stepped into his awaiting arms.

Prescott held her close. The way that no one else had ever held her. She pressed her nose into the hollow of his throat and smelled the sex on him. It didn’t bother her as it might have bothered others. It was just what her brother smelled like.

“Does she believe you?” he asked.

She nodded, pulling back from him to stare up into his matching blue eyes. “Kerrigan widened the break in the barrier, and then they fled. We’re to write to them on the morn when we discover them gone.”

“Clever. Your work. Not that incompetent princess, I assume?”

“Obviously.”

“You’re such a genius, sister.”

She beamed at his praise. She brushed a lock of his dark hair from his forehead. He grasped her hand in his and placed a kiss on the top, all gallant and gentlemanly.

“Now, the real work begins.”

14

The Healing

Kerrigan woke slowly, as if she were stuck in mud and trying to pry herself free. Her eyes were crusty, and she had to blink to clear them. Everything was blurry. And hurt. Gods, every inch of her body felt as if it had been beaten into a pulp. The last time she’d felt this, she had been assaulted. But she didn’t remember why she was like this now.

“You’re awake,” a voice said, the figure jumping from where they were seated and reaching for something.

It ended up being a glass of water, which Kerrigan choked down with a small cough. “Thank you.”

She winced as she wiped at her eyes and found Valia hovering over her. Valia was a steward of the Society. Not a full member, but not a citizen either. They worked with Society members for the rest of their days but of their own free will. Kerrigan had almost been one of them. She would have been if she hadn’t had a tribe claim her, if she hadn’t ended up winning the dragon tournament.

“How are you feeling?” Valia asked.

“Sore,” Kerrigan admitted.