Syndrian flinched as a man who’d tried to flee was struck in the back of the leg by the low swing of a mace. The player fell to the ground crying for help, protesting his innocence. And I knew, just knew, there would be no justice in this tavern. Ending this was up to me.
But something was missing. Last night, when I’d practiced, I had Syndrian beside me. His hot thigh pressed against mine. His fingers laced with mine, reassuring me that I could focus my power and control more than a single candle or torch. What brought me heat and strength and confidence and peace was the same thing that brought me passion and joy and love: Syndrian.
I leaned forward and rested the flat of my palm against his back. Whether the heat there brought me comfort or somehow connected me to the burning energy inside me, I’d never know. He didn’t move but stood before me, a shield and a touchstone, as I closed my eyes, connected to his heat, and willed the fires to go out.
And in a flash, they did.
Once the place lost every bit of candlelight, the already chaotic scene erupted into pure panic. I could hear coins spilling, people screaming, tables and chairs being knocked over. The place was as dark as if I’d been wearing a death mask. The finely dressed man was hoarse with shrieking, and I heard the mad rush of feet running for the doors.
I trailed my hand from his back to his hand and held Syndrian tight. I was suddenly weak, nearly exhausted from the effort, but he didn’t let me rest, practically dragging me through the crowd toward the door. My footsteps faltered, but I didn’t release him until I felt the rush of cold air on my face.
Once we were outside, along with dozens of other people who’d made it into the streets, everything fell into place. Flynn was waiting for us in the woods where Syndrian and I had fled the last time we were here. Flynn had all three of our horses waiting. He’d paid the Kyruna stable hand an exorbitant amount to release the horses to him, then secured them in the woods so they would be ready for us to make our quick escape.
Reunited with our horses, we took off for Omrora. Only when we were a safe distance from the village and away from the public lamps did I light our torches with what little energy I had left. I felt so drained, so exhausted, it was an effort to stay upright on the horse. But the thrill that I’d been the one to get us out of harm’s way—not to mention, I hoped, kept dozens more from being hurt or killed—gave me the boost I needed to just hold on tight and ride.
When we finally made it back to Omrora, we didn’t ride back to the Lombard estate. We met up at the Oderisi manor.
The entire household was awake and anxiously waiting. Dale stabled the horses, while Antonia offered us food and tea. Idony rushed through the door and launched her body at her son. She hugged him, rocking Biko back and forth, hugging him and crying, before doing the same to me.
Neo and Brex were in the sitting room with four children, including the severe little one, Ivo, that I’d met last night.
“You’re early.” Neo grabbed Syndrian’s arm and clapped him on the back. “We didn’t expect you back so soon.”
“There was some unexpected trouble,” Syndrian explained.
“Trouble is always expected,” Neo said. “You were ready for it.”
“Pali was,” Syndrian said. He had an arm around my waist and was offering to carry me into the sitting room.
“I’m all right,” I said, gripping his hand. “Just weak.”
Biko dropped to his knees and introduced himself to each of the children, while Flynn picked up the littlest child and spun her in dizzying circles. The happy homecoming of Flynn and the children immediately lightened my spirits. I felt suddenly starving, but also re-energized. Like with food and a nap, I could take on all the Otleiches myself.
“I feel…powerful.” I tugged at Syndrian’s arm. “It’s almost intoxicating. Like now that I know what I can do, I won’t be able to turn it off.”
He tipped my chin with a hand. “You’ll never have to again. But I would like Odile to take a look at you. Make sure you’re all right. That was truly…something back there. What you did.” His face was flushed, and he seemed suddenly shy. “You are powerful, Pali. More so than any of us realized.”
I knew what he meant, as I felt the same sort of surprise within myself. The power, the thrill of being able to manipulate events and even people—I could see how it might be abused by some. I felt sincere terror at the thought that my father wielded some power—whether it was the ability to transform or control objects. Whatever he could do, I could only imagine how terrifying magic could truly be in evil hands. While I hated the dark networks that had made my father a criminal, for the first time in my life, I began to understand what might have driven him to it. If I felt this way using magic, I could only imagine what someone with more power and fewer morals might be capable of. Being close to those people, no matter the cost, felt in some ways like the safest course.
“Odile is working up in her room with Valkiva, our oldest girl,” Brex said. “I’ll summon her. She’ll be anxious to hear that everyone is safe and unharmed.”
“We accomplished much while you were gone.” Neo looked down at Ivo, who was tugging at the man’s hosen. “The records you sought from the midwife…Odile was able to obtain them. My sister-in-law, the scrivener, took a sworn statement. You should have exactly what you need.” He took Ivo’s hand but then seemed to reconsider and bent to pick the child up in his arms. “Everything is as it should be,” he murmured to the child. “We told you there would be some excitement tonight. Do you understand?”
The child nodded but rested his nearly bald head on Neo’s shoulder. He motioned for the other children to leave the sitting room.
“Come, little ones,” he said, sounding like a loving father. Something in my chest tightened. Watching him gather up these children—carrying Ivo, scolding Flynn for being too rough as he played horse with the toddler on his back—and seeing the older children hold hands and play together…I realized how much of my life had been cold. Loveless. I wondered if all that could change now.
Once Idony, Biko, Syndrian, and I were alone in the sitting room, Syndrian pulled me close to him and pressed his forehead to mine.
“You saved our lives tonight,” he said. “And many, many others.”
I savored the feel of his heat against me, taking comfort and energy in his quiet strength.
Biko dropped onto the settee and rubbed his injured hand. “Excellent work getting us out of there, Pali.” He looked at his mother. “Things got messy. Pali had to work under less-than-ideal conditions. I don’t know how she did it.”
“She is more powerful than even she knows,” Idony said, her eyes misting with tears. “I’m just glad you all made it back safely.”
“Some were not that fortunate.” I sighed and reluctantly lifted my face from Syndrian’s. “What was that man going to do?” I asked.