I came up behind Ronan, wrapping my arms around his shoulders. I winced at the lingering pain that shot through my body, not quick enough to hide it from my youngest mate.

“The white magick still bothers you.”

Well, if my mates had to know, telling Ronan was probably the safest option.

“I could take you to Luci, if you’d like. I’m sure she’d see you.”

I shook my head, but not because I didn’t want to see the small fire witch. I’d prefer if someone else had to come to the island.

“Any word about the demon fortress?” I inquired.

Ronan’s eyes narrowed as I didn’t bother to conceal my interest. He shifted papers around, glancing at Xana. I noticed her shoulders stiffen at the casual mention of the place she’d been imprisoned for centuries, but otherwise she ignored us.

“Things have gone quiet, which is worrying itself. All activity in the mountain has stopped. The mountain men are uneasy and have withdrawn into the northern forest to ally openly with the witches and few drakens there.”

I had completely forgotten about the mountain men! I wondered how Georg was doing.

“And the lykos?”

Ronan raised an eyebrow. “The lykos have maintained a perimeter around Cantrada, though half of them have been dispatched to Aldur to secure the border. No one in Aldur knows this of course, because it would likely incite panic if the people saw them.”

That was an understatement. Worry latched onto my heart and pulled. We had so many allies and had made so many promises. I prayed we could keep them all.

“Don’t stress about it. I have a plan.”

I kissed the top of Ronan’s head, and he blushed. “Of course, you do.” Ronan puffed out his chest at my praise and rearranged a few papers. “Of course, all of this is rather dependent on Thad, and if he’s truly taken control.”

I shuddered as a fresh wave of pain assaulted my nerves, leaving my muscles quivering. I breathed heavily until it passed, leaning on the back of Ronan’s chair for support.

“Maybe . . . maybe we should try Luci,” I panted.

Ronan dropped everything, and Xana flinched at his quick movement.

She blushed, then spoke up. “I wish to fly back, if you don’t mind. I haven’t flown in ages.”

Ronan glanced at me and I nodded. He scooped me up in his arms and we took off through the north-facing window where the male drakens in the valley wouldn’t see us leaving. I wished I could have enjoyed the sight of Xana stretching her wings, screeching in joy as she flashed between the clouds.

“Someone will hear her,” I protested weakly, but we were high up and likely too far away for anyone to notice.

Xana’s dark hair flew behind her wildly, and she halted in the sky as we came close to the meadow and lava tubes. “I will be fine from here. Take Wren and go.”

Ronan didn’t give her a second glance and kept flying.