Chapter Seven

Niko

I wasn't expecting Cassandra to agree so easily. But it makes sense. If your entire life turned out to be a lie, you may want to pack it all up too. Holding her hand, I lead her toward the cottage I have been renting. I haven't left anything there that can't be replaced, but I do need to let Hayden know I'm headed home. If I leave him here in Alluvium without a word, he will never stop complaining.

"I know it's late, Tayla," Cassandra says into her cell phone. "Just listen to me."

I can't hear the reply, but it makes Cassandra smile as I open the door to the cottage.

"I'm going out of town for a while, and I need you to open the café for a couple of days."

She listens as Tayla replies.

"I will tell you everything when I get back. Love you. Bye."

Cassandra ends the call abruptly and removes the battery. Then she drops it into her bag.

"Everything okay?" I ask.

"Yeah," she says and sighs. "She's just worried. This is out of character for me. She's being a good friend."

I could pry, but I won't. Instead, I lead us into the house where Hayden is lying sprawled out on the couch.

"We're going home," I announce.

"Finally!" Hayden says as he switches off the TV. "I'm so glad you are finally giving up on this crazy plan to find…"

His words are cut off as his gaze lands on Cassandra. His smile spreads as he runs a hand through his disheveled hair.

"Now, who is this beautiful creature?" His voice is sultry as he moves toward her. He is a total man whore, and I don't want him anywhere near my little witch.

"Back. The. Fuck. Up," I growl when I see a blush spread across Cassandra's cheeks.

"Whoa," Hayden chuckles. "Possessive much?"

Taking a deep breath, I get my rage and my jealousy back in check. Hayden has been my best friend for the better part of three hundred years. We give each other a tough time but I have never snapped at him like that. Especially not over a woman I've known less than twenty-four hours.

"Sorry, man," I apologize. "This is Cassandra. Cassandra, meet Hayden. My best friend." I gesture between the two of them. "Cassandra will be going to Runic with us."

"What are you talking about?" Hayden asks. "Why would you take her with us?"

"Because," Cassandra cuts in. "He thinks I'm the witch he needs to end the war."

****

Cassandra

Hayden hasn't spoken to me since we left the house and neither has Niko. The two of them keep giving each other the side eye as we make our way through the forest that borders Bantry Bay. I'm on edge waiting for someone to say or do something to break the tension.

"This should do," Hayden says when he finally stops. "It's far enough from town that we shouldn't cause a disturbance."

Niko releases my hand as he nods. "Aperi portum."

With his words, a portal appears. Bright, glowing, yellow light in a large circle above the ground. I'm transfixed by the beauty of the magik in front of me and can do nothing more than stare. I have never seen magik created out of nothing. I draw on the energy of nature to use my powers. But then again, what the hell do I know? I haven't been able to access my full powers before. Maybe I could be capable of this kind of magik too.

"Is it safe?" I whisper, reaching out a hand, intending to touch the portal.

"Yes, princess," Hayden drawls. "But it will be jarring the first time you use it. See you later."

Hayden steps into the portal, disappearing. My gaze collides with Niko's. He smiles brilliantly, pulling me against his chest.

"Hold tight, sweetness." He laughs. "This is going to be a hell of a ride."

He kisses my forehead before stepping into the portal. Around me, colors flash past as we travel through time and space. I see flashes of places I have never been to before. Different lands, the change in seasons, and so many people. I hear laughter and music. Joy surrounds me and enfolds me. I feel true happiness.

And then it's over. Niko smiles down at me, his hands lightly gripping my hips. His smile is contagious.

"What do you think?" he asks.

"It wasn't what I expected. But it was fun."

Looking around I try to take it all in. The colors seem to be more brilliant here. The sky is bluer than I've ever seen it and the air is so clean I can almost taste it. This is what I have always imagined when someone described paradise.

"Where did Hayden go?" I ask, not seeing him.

"Probably back to the palace. But we don't have to go there yet. Let me show you around."

He tugs on my hand, pulling me down a gravel path. Leading me deeper into his world and further from my own.