Chapter Thirty-One

T hat evening, Evienne excused herself from the festivities, citing a need to recover after the attack in the afternoon. In truth, it was the conversation with the queens that had left her shaken. She had never felt such a distance from them in all her years of service. Even before they all stepped into their adult roles, she had never known such awkwardness with them as girls.

The sight of Léhiona’s worry as she had left the room hung in Evienne’s mind, and now that the adrenaline of the attack had worn off, she couldn’t help but ponder her conversation with Cecelia and Orion in the library with increasing anxiety.

There were too many coincidences in the timing to be meaningless. Determining how actively nefarious any connections were would be the real challenge.They needed to find out if anyone currently living in Ichorna knew something, but there was a reason this history—if there was one—was not common knowledge. It was likely if someone did know, they would not appreciate anyone poking around for insight.Evienne knew they had to continue their investigation, but she had a feeling they were about to stumble into a very dangerous game.

Her soul weary with all that had occurred that day, Evienne made her way to Orion’s chamber in the guest wing, stopping a maid in the hall to request that dinner be brought up.She rapped her knuckles on his door, and his rich, open voice answered.Evienne found him seated in the armchair by the fire, a book in hand, looking a bit paler than usual.

“How are you feeling?” She asked, curling up on the floor next to his legs. The heat of the fire seeped into her hands; she hadn’t even noticed how cold she’d been.

“I’ve been better, but I am glad you’re here with me,” Orion answered, his hand stroking Evienne’s hair.

“We’ve had quite a day,” Evienne said with a sigh.

“Indeed, we have. I confess, charging into battle in my shifted form is not something I ever thought I would do. It was exhilarating and intense and…sort of awful,” he said, considering.

Evienne remembered what it had felt like the first time she had been in a real fight, and she didn’t blame Orion one bit for feeling the weight of it. She relished the rightness of wielding her magic, but she did not take joy in hurting other living things. She often pondered how her actions straddled the line between good and evil.

“I do not know if I am cut out for such violence. Perhaps I should leave it to you to be my fearless defender.” He smiled at her then. Evienne was so grateful, she realized, that Orion felt comfortable enough to share these musings with her.

“I will happily be your knight in shining armor, Orion,” Evienne said, smiling back at him.

“How are you doing?” He asked, giving her space to share her feelings. She looked up at him and saw in his face that he actually wanted to know, that he really cared.

“I’m…” she started, struggling to put words to her feelings. “I’m overwhelmed, I think.” Emotion clogged her throat.

“I certainly don’t blame you for that, love,” he said softly.

“I just,” she started again, fighting the tightness in her chest and losing. “The implications of what we were talking about in the library yesterday, and the Gevaud showing up so unexpectedly today, and you getting hurt, and my time magic lashing out, and this strange dissonance with the queens and lying to their faces,” the words tumbled out as tears streaked her face. “It feels like my whole life is stained glass, shattering pane by pane,” she continued.

Orion remained silent and attentive. She continued, “I know, when it’s over, I’ll see the true light of day. The colors, however lovely, are lies, it would seem.” Her voice broke as the words passed her lips.

As she spoke, Orion joined her on the floor, pulling her close. She rested her head on his shoulder, her face buried in his neck. He didn’t say a word, just held her, and she let her tears flow.

After what could have been minutes or hours, Orion’s voice broke the silence. “You’re the most courageous person I know, Evienne.”

“I’m so glad to have met you,” Evienne said, her voice now hoarse from sobbing. “I don’t know what the future will hold for either of us, or what it really means to be your Còmhanam, but if some higher destiny chose you for me, I can’t help but feel honored.”

Orion pressed a kiss to her temple, his hand rubbing soothing circles on her back. “I don’t know what I did to deserve to share my soul with you, but I will endeavor to be worthy of your love every day of my life. I know what we are facing feels impossible, but the hope of a life with you on the other side…” he trailed off, and Evienne glanced up to find a tear tracing down his cheek. She brushed it away, cupping his cheek in her hand.

“Whatever comes, I’m glad we’ll face it together,” Evienne whispered. “My brilliant, kind, fearsome Còmhanam.”

·

E vienne was unsure if she was awake or asleep as she extended her hand to the luna moth, who seemed so familiar now. It landed on her hand, gently fluttering its wings, and Evienne smiled at it. It was so lovely, so bright even here in the dark.

She looked up from its hypnotic colors to see an expanse of leathery wings filling her range of vision. Its slate gray scales were the size of her hand, and the wind from its landing swept her luna moth friend into the darkness where it danced on the breeze.

The massive beast stilled, and a growling sound filled the space around Evienne. It turned then, and she caught sight of the dragon’s massive head, its amber eyes appraising her. She gasped in surprise, but she did not feel fear.

A smaller dragon, this one a vibrant, shimmering blue, peered around the larger one. It held Evienne’s gaze for a long moment before the blinding light Evienne knew too flashed searing red as she woke with a jolt.

The day broke outside Orion’s window, a winter dawn kissing Evienne’s face as she lay next to him, startled, with a sheen of sweat on her brow. Orion still slept next to her, his breathing soft and rhythmic. She savored these seconds of peace, settling them deep in her mind, calming her breathing.

She had been awake most of the night thinking about what she knew she must do, and her dream made her feel even more sure for some reason. It was the hope of more mornings like this, her Còmhanam peacefully by her side, that gave her the courage to even consider it.

“Good morning, love,” Orion’s voice greeted her, raspy with lingering sleep. She turned then to look at him, and his beauty truly overwhelmed her.

The sun caught the cool green of his eyes and illuminated every perfect plane of his face. She gave herself a moment to commit the sight to memory, smiling at him.

“I know what I have to do to find the truth,” Evienne whispered.

Orion’s brow furrowed slightly in question.

“I have to use my time magic.”