Night Study

“She’s missing school. They could have worked on her reading skills, math, history...” I sighed. And she still would have driven him crazy. “If Opal gets upset, I’m blaming you.”

“Feel free. But I suspect her lessons have strengthened her magic.”

“No one has been able to confirm she has magic.”

“No magicians, you mean? I’ve picked up on it when I’m next to her, but last night, I felt her power in the hallway.”

“Are you sure it wasn’t Owen’s? She hasn’t reached puberty yet.”

“Do I need to cite all the examples we’ve encountered of magic doing strange, unexpected and impossible things?”

“No.” It would take too long. “If she’s a protégée, then she’ll be a target. I just...”

“Want to protect Reema?”

“Of course.”

“Then it’s a good thing she’s learning how to defend herself.”

I huffed. “Don’t be all logical when I want to be irrational and overprotective.”

“Now you know how I feel.”

“You? Irrational?”

He grabbed my hand and tugged me toward him. I settled on his lap.

Valek pulled me close until I leaned on his chest. “Love trumps logic. And when it comes to you, love, I can be extremely irrational.”

“Is that so? Give me an example.”

“All right. I’ve put you in incredible danger by marrying you now. If my enemies discover the truth along with the news about your magic, which is spreading, they will take advantage of this unique, and hopefully brief, opportunity to target you. The logical thing to do was to wait until your magic returns and Owen is dead.”

“Finding an ideal time may have been impossible,” I said.

“I’d like to believe we’d find a moment of peace in our future. However, waiting would have been torture. I’m empty without you.”

I tilted my head back to kiss him, and my cheek brushed the bandage hidden under his shirt. I wasn’t the only one in severe danger. If the Commander discovered Valek’s altered scar, he might order Valek executed for treason. I’d already experienced the searing pain of grief that burned me from the inside out when I’d thought Valek had died in that barn fire over six years ago. A horrible time I’d rather not repeat.

Ever.

* * *

I checked on Kiki after leaving Valek’s office. She munched on the grass in the small pasture next to the stables, but trotted over to the fence as soon as she spotted me. Her coat gleamed.

Stroking her neck, I said, “I see your favorite stable boy has been busy giving you a bath. Did he braid your tail?”

Kiki moved to the side and swished her tail, which now contained a number of thin braids and colorful ribbons.

“Pretty.” I patted her shoulder. “Are you rested enough to go for a ride with me and Reema later?”

She dipped her head once, then glanced at the stable, clearly signaling yes. While glad Kiki was able to communicate with me, I wished I could tell her about my union with Valek. My happiness bubbled inside me, pushing to escape, fueling the desire to share it with her. But it was too dangerous to voice aloud.

Kiki snuffled my pockets. I fed her a peppermint before searching for Reema. The young girl practiced in the northeast training yards with Lacole. Reema had wrestled her long curls into a ponytail and sparred the young lieutenant with a rubber knife. Ari leaned on the fence, watching them. I stood next to him. He tensed.

“Relax,” I said. “I’m not going to yell at you. I’m sure you’ve had your hands full with Reema over the last month.”

“You’ve no idea,” he muttered.

“Then explain it to me.” I kept my tone neutral.

Ari’s broad shoulders sagged. “She’s the most exasperating child I’ve ever met. Not that I know a bunch of kids, but I swear, she’s like a mini Janco—just with more focus.”

“You do know you’re not making sense, right?”

“Yeah.” He drew in a breath. “She’s smart and learns new skills wicked fast. Faster than anyone I know. Look at that.” Ari gestured to Reema. “She has Lacole on the defensive and they just started knife fighting last week. The kid’s a natural. She’s a pro at reading body language. Plus, she’s stubborn, fearless and manipulative. Reema can turn on the tears in a heartbeat and suddenly act like a four-year-old. And then she has this...this sixth sense about people, knowing if they’re lying or bluffing or sneaking around the hallways.”

“Wow.” I studied the girl with a fresh perspective.

Intense, Reema didn’t hesitate to take advantage of Lacole’s weaknesses. The lieutenant dodged a flurry of Reema’s strikes that reminded me of Janco.

“Opal is going to kill me,” I said.

“But Valek—”

“I put her in danger and sent her here. I’m responsible.”

“Responsible for what?” Janco asked, joining us.

“Reema’s new skills.” I pointed to the match.

Janco’s eyes lit up. “Holy snow cats! Look at her go. I gotta get in on that action.” He grabbed the top rail of the wooden fence and hopped over it in one smooth move.

Lacole handed her practice weapon to him and he faced Reema with a huge grin on his face.

“Reema’s ego is about to be bruised,” Ari said.