“You must learn to shift. How else will you be able to avoid becoming entrapped in the spider silk yourself?”
Evelayn sat silently at the head of the table, pale and drawn. Dark bruises turned the delicate skin beneath her eyes a deep purple. Tanvir had barely been able to speak with her since they’d returned to the castle, let alone steal a moment or two alone. Watching her now sent a spike of fear through him. He knew the strength that ran through her, he knew the determination that drove her … but she looked so fragile as High Priestess Teca lectured her yet again.
“I assure you that I am trying. I spend hours every day attempting to shift. It’s not as simple as you seem to think.” Evelayn’s gaze flickered to his but quickly dodged away again to the others at the table.
“You have mastered calling down the beam of sun. From now on you must spend all of your waking hours learning how to shift. I don’t know how else you will be able to lead him into the trap without ensnaring yourself in the process.” The High Priestess spoke in such a severe tone, Tanvir expected Evelayn to snap back at her, but instead the queen just nodded morosely, allowing herself to be ordered about. “I will return to the Dawn Temple and continue searching our scrolls and texts to see if I can find anything else on the subject. If you’ll excuse me.” Teca stood and exited the room swiftly, leaving a heavy silence in her wake.
“Perhaps … if you suddenly veered to the side, he might still run into the web?” Lord Teslar offered weakly, in an uncharacteristic sign of pity for the queen.
“I appreciate the thought, but you and I both know that wouldn’t be possible. I’m going to be running as fast as I’m able and to change course like that so suddenly would be an unmistakable giveaway.” Evelayn reached up to pinch the bridge of her nose. “Even if I am able to master shifting in time, I would have to be able to do it in the blink of an eye if I want to be fast enough to avoid the web.” Evelayn didn’t look up from the table, and though her posture was still ramrod straight, there was a sense of defeat that hung about her like a second shadow, weighing her down.
Tanvir couldn’t bear it.
“Maybe we can help somehow,” he spoke up without even truly knowing what he was offering or how it would affect the outcome. “I know you were concerned about him scenting a trap if other Draíolon are nearby, but if you are running that fast maybe some of the most powerful priestesses could glamour Kel and me. We could be waiting in the trees with the web. Evelayn, you just make sure you’re far enough ahead of him that you are clear before we drop the web and trap him. It would give you the chance to turn and call down the sun. And you wouldn’t have to lose time shifting back.” As he spoke the idea took form and solidified into what actually sounded like a plausible possibility. It wasn’t sticking to the plan, but if the end result was that Bain was killed, did it matter?
Evelayn met his gaze directly for the first time in days, the rebirth of hope in her eyes practically making them glow. “That … that just might work.”
“As a backup plan, if you aren’t able to master shifting,” General Olena cut in.
General Kelwyn was watching Evelayn, his eyes slightly narrowed in consideration. “No, I think Tanvir might be onto something.”
Olena looked like she wanted to argue, but General Kelwyn quickly continued, “Your Majesty, I mean no offense, but you are obviously unwell. You must be at your full strength if you wish to defeat Bain, even with the spider silk. You have to survive laying the trap before you can hope to kill him. I think we should make Tanvir’s idea our main plan and take the pressure off you trying to learn to shift so quickly. If you are able to do it in the next week, we will adjust accordingly. But otherwise, I think this might work.”
Evelayn nodded demurely, but Tanvir could see the relief she was trying to hide. “I definitely agree that it is worth discussing with Teca. If her priestesses can somehow keep Bain from scenting the Draíolon aiding me, this could work.”
Tanvir nodded encouragingly at her when her eyes found his once more. And for the first time since they’d returned to the castle, Evelayn smiled at him.
HER EVER-PRESENT GUARDS HOVERED JUST OUT OF sight, but Evelayn could still feel their presence as she walked down the path toward the lake. Late-afternoon sun dappled the lush forest floor, turning it emerald and golden. Flowers bloomed in riotous bursts of color—a splash of fuchsia there, a broad stroke of burnished gold here, bright blots of blue and purple to her left and right. Even in the shade it was sweltering, but Evelayn welcomed the heat, knowing it meant life and power for her people. All too soon summer would fade and winter would be upon them, which meant the Dark Draíolon’s height of power.
This opportunity to possibly end the war during the week of the summer solstice was providence—it could only be fated to succeed.
That’s what she kept telling herself, anyway.
Soon the forest thinned, and the glint of sunlight reflecting off water flashed through the foliage. Once, coming here had brought her peace and comfort. But the looming confrontation with Bain and her inability to shift had stolen even that from her. Long before she caught sight of the flock, the constant tension that tightened the muscles in Evelayn’s neck and twisted her stomach into such knots she could barely eat or sleep grew even worse.
As she stepped out of the trees into the sunlight, she reached into her skirt for the satchel she’d tied around her waist. Inside were broken bits of leftover bread from this morning’s breakfast. She grabbed a handful, and as she took her seat on her usual log, she tossed the bread to the swans who were already swimming toward her.
“Hello, my beautiful friends,” Evelayn whispered as the birds began to snatch up the pieces of bread, extending their long, graceful necks forward.
She’d always been fascinated by the swans and had been coming to feed them since she was a little girl holding tightly to her father’s hand as he guided her down the path. It had been no surprise to anyone when she imprinted on them on her eighth birthday. So why had she been unable to complete the transformation into a swan since gaining her full power? Kel assured her she would figure it out with practice and time. But she didn’t have time, as Teca was fond of reminding her. She only had days left. Days before Bain would come and she had to be able to transform and fly out of the trap a split second before he ran into it or rely on the plan Tanvir had come up with instead.