Baba Monroe loosened the purse strings of her totem bag and reached inside, retrieving a dried flower petal. Looming over Bri and Lina, she screwed her eyes shut, muttering the Mhenbic words of a spell long forgotten to all but her. She held out her fist, crushing the petal in her hand as she continued her muttering, and with a final word, she released it. Fragments of shredded flower danced down like falling autumnal leaves, and tiny skitters of violet lighting strobed across the particles.

As the powder brushed across Lina’s face, she gasped and snapped upright.

The dam broke in Bri once more and she sobbed, watching the life return to Lina’s face. She yanked Lina into a tight embrace as she buried her head into Lina’s shoulder.

She watched from their fierce hold as the witch turned and made her way past the cautious crew.

Talhan stepped to block her exit and Rua doubled over, clenching her stomach. The witch grinned as Remy hastily jerked Talhan out of the way.

“Let her go,” she hissed. “We can kill her another day when Rua won’t pay the price.”

“Wise, Your Majesty,” the witch sang, ambling forward with a casual grace as if she knew she would go unharmed. She glanced over her shoulder, her eyes looking to each of them before landing back on Bri. “Think to your choices, rulers of Okrith,” she said with a predatory slowness. “Yield to the East or we shall see you on the battlefield.”

She spoke the words as if casting a spell, a promise that she was certain would be fulfilled. Looking around the room, her eyes shifted from Bri to Remy and then settled on Hale. The violet magic flared in her eyes as she stared at him. “Tell the rest of my grandchildren it’s time to come home.”

Hale’s brows pinched in confusion as she grinned at them one last time and left, sauntering down the hall with the easy air of victory.

Chapter 44

Chapter Forty-Four

The friends sat on the western steps of the palace, watching the sunrise together as they ate and drank. It didn’t feel right to sit at a grand table. They needed the feeling of the solid ground below them and the steady reverence of the wilderness waking for the day. Birds twittered and rustled from the trees, singing their morning songs.

Talhan split open a steamy cinnamon loaf and passed out the pieces. The kitchen staff had spoiled them with food, showering their gratitude upon the group with their decadent breakfast. By hiding in cabinets and barring themselves in rooms, fewer of the palace staff had lost their lives than Bri had expected, but the carnage was still horrific.