Finally, Rowan broke our kiss and stepped away. I kept leaning against the tree trunk, panting for breath. “What’s wrong?”
“Transport spell.” Rowan nodded to a small red cloud that had appeared on the forest floor. Red meant it was a Creation Caster. Someone was looking for him.
My shoulders slumped. A man like Rowan can’t forget his responsibilities and run off. He may want to, but his people would never let him.
Rowan hitched his thumbs into the waistband of his leathers. “I can see what you’re thinking.” He gestured to the solidifying mist. “My responsibilities won’t always interfere between us. I give you my word.”
“And I believe you.” The words tumbled from my mouth, unbidden. What really shocked me was how fiercely I meant them. Beyond all reason, I trusted Rowan over anyone else in my life. Not that I should. My judgment wasn’t the finest. The last man I trusted, Tristan, had lied to me and tricked me into taking on a curse.
Linden materialized in the clearing beside us. He appeared just as I remembered him—a lanky man with light brown hair and a missing arm. He’d changed since Rowan and I had freed him from the Midnight Cloister. After his release, Linden had looked positively skeletal. He’d been the victim of one of the Tsar’s experiments. It made my heart glad to see him looking so fit. He smiled. “Elea! It’s good to see you.”
“And you, Linden.”
He turned to Rowan. “You’re needed back at camp. Your uncle has new ideas for tonight.”
My eyes widened. “Tonight? As in, the Montagne celebrations for Theodora?” There were two events for the celebration. The play took place tonight while the ball would be held tomorrow.
Linden frowned. There was no real anger in it though. “I can’t speak about that.”
“You and your secrets.” The Casters were forever hiding where they were going and what they were doing. When it came to Genesis Rex, their secrets turned extreme. Rex had a series of body doubles. All the guards wore leather helms over their faces to hide which man was their king. Rex was constantly under death threats, but still. “There’s no point in playing coy. Both of you are too easy to read. I’m going to attend tonight as well. I’ll see you there.”
Rowan’s brows drew together. “It’s impossible for you to attend.”
I shrugged. “I can be very persuasive.”
Linden shook his head. “I’ve seen the aftermath of your magickal handiwork. I don’t even want to know how you plan to get an invitation. I’ve no doubt that you will succeed.”
“Does that mean you’ll both be there?” I tried to ignore the way the thought of Rowan made my heart thud faster.
Rowan gave me another one of his crooked grins. “Yes, I’ll be present.” He stepped up and pressed his palm against my cheek. I leaned into his touch. “Remember what I said.” His voice was so low, only I could hear him. “We’ll be together.” He moved in close enough to whisper in my ear. “Look for me at the ball tonight. I’ll be guarding Rex.”
“I will.”
He brushed a gentle kiss on my forehead and walked back to Linden. Soon, a red haze formed around both of them, and they vanished.
For a long minute, I stared at the spot where Rowan had last stood. Bit by bit, my Necromancer training came back to me. Finally, I scrubbed my hands over my face and got back to work. I needed to ward this property, prepare for the ball at the Montagne estate, and forget about Rowan for a while. Too many lives were depending on me to do anything else.
Chapter Thirteen
There was no doubt about it. Casting these gods-damned protection spells was taking far too long. Still, I couldn’t stop now without risking everything I had cast before.
As much as I wanted to leave, there was no other option. I simply had to finish my spellwork.
I followed a trail deeper into the forest. Stout trees towered around me, their heavy branches blotting out any sign of the late afternoon sun. Hours had passed since I’d last spied another soul. No question why, either. This part of the forest was a muddy mess. With every step, my boots took on fresh streams of chilly sludge. Swarms of angry gnats buzzed around my head. The stale smell of rotting leaves filled the air. And my wards weren’t done yet.
How I wish this was over.
I trudged onto some high ground under an oak tree. At least, the earth here only oozed up to my ankles. There were no gnats either. Some tension left my shoulders. This spot was a definite improvement. I paused, ready to cast again.
Closing my eyes, I reached out with my mage senses, searching for the cords of energy that I’d placed across this property. Every strand of power represented a different spell to protect the Havillands.