A portion of Yvan’s fire flares toward Ra’Ven, and I’m surprised by the rush of emotion rippling through it. “It’s been a long time, my friend,” Yvan says as they step toward each other and embrace.

“We will finally be able to meet as we truly are,” Ra’Ven says as they pull back, gripping each other’s shoulders while Sage finishes crafting the rune. “Release the glamour if you wish it,” Ra’Ven offers with a significant look. “I know all too well what a burden it is.”

With an intense glance at both Sagellyn and Ra’Ven, Yvan draws off his cloak and lowers his head. A hard breath escapes me as his dark wings fan out from his muscular back and I press back the tortuous urge to move into the heat of his aura. A burning flush suffuses my neck as Yvan flexes his wings, and Sage and Ra’Ven look him over, momentarily riveted.

“What a turn of events,” Sage murmurs, giving us both a look of vast compassion. “The Prophecy standing before us.”

Defiance shoots through Yvan’s fire. “I don’t believe in prophecies,” he states with cutting emphasis, a ribbon of his heat flashing out to encircle me, his transient caress only stoking my flush hotter.

“Nor I,” Ra’Ven staunchly agrees.

“Your Icaral child,” Yvan says to Ra’Ven, “he’s here in the sublands, as well?”

Ra’Ven nods. “Under heavy guard, as you can well imagine.”

“It preyed on me,” Yvan says, “how Vogel targeted him. Ra’Ven... I’m sorry he got caught up in this.”

“We’re all caught up in it,” Ra’Ven states, immovable insistence in his silver gaze. “And the Mages’ atrocities are not your doing.” He grasps Yvan’s shoulder, and Yvan nods stiffly, a tormented heat flickering through his aura that tightens my heart.

“Is Fyn’ir well?” I ask Sage, remembering the gentle, winged babe I met in Amaz lands.

“He is,” she assures me. “But, as you both know, Vogel’s reach extends to the Eastern Realm. And the Gardnerians aren’t the only religious fanatics who want the Icarals dead.”

“Which poses a problem,” Professor Kristian puts in from beside us. “Seeing as how Yvan has just announced his presence here in the Eastern Realm quite dramatically.” He gives Yvan a pointed look that Yvan meets unflinchingly.

“My people have claimed the Eastern Sublands as a safe haven for Icarals,” Ra’Ven says. “I seek to claim them as a refuge for everyone fleeing the persecution of either Realm.”

“You need to get Elloren and Yvan farther underground,” Kam Vin cuts in, looking to Ra’Ven, “where your warding is more potent. Nilon and I will remain here and stand sentry.”

Ra’Ven reaches into his tunic’s pocket and tosses her a Smaragdalfar rune stone. “Contact me through this if you need to, Kamitra.”