okay? I just want you to offer me your energy, nothing more.”
They nodded.
Closing my eye, I conjured up the elements required to shield the castle from any damage from the storm. It happened so quickly, I had to ask the energy to rewind and show me in slow motion to be sure it was done properly.
“Wow. Henrek, this is beyond our wildest dreams. They are prodigies—” I stopped myself from continuing when I remembered Lila was in the room. “They are perfect.”
“Lila, we no longer need the spell of concealment.” I paused. “Actually, let’s keep it up. With the rate they are growing who knows what will happen. It’s best to wait and see what happens with the realms and the storm before we bring them to the others.”
Lila’s face softened as she gazed down upon them. “I’ve always wanted children.”
“Why haven’t you?” I asked.
“Barren. Part of the curse.”
“You were cursed?”
The old woman glanced sideways in surprise. “You don’t get perfection without a price.”
Chapter Ten
I n a rush I hurried back upstairs, leaving Lila downstairs with the halflings and Henrek.
Without wasting time I made my way to the center of the room. “We’re protected from the storms. Of course, you are free to leave the castle if you wish, but I’d suggest that you do not. I’ve been warned about the impending storms, and they will wreak havoc on the lands around us.”
There was some mumbling but no real complaints. I don’t think anyone really wanted to venture into the storm. Hopefully, they would all get along in the confined space, who knew how long they were going to be stuck indoors together.
Scanning the room, I found Michael and Blake talking. They had Seth with them. Thank goodness, in all the commotion I’d forgotten all about bringing the boy back.
Mother, are you okay?
No reply.
My heart literally stopped in my chest. Mother?
Demitrious came to my side. “She’s fine. Her attention is focused and she can’t be distracted right now.”
My head snapped up to stare at the demon. “How would you know?”
His face never changed. I wondered if he always looked so serious. “She made sure I would know if her magick was no more.”
Why would she do that? I wondered. And why hadn’t she done the same for me?
As if he’d read my mind, he lowered his voice. “You would know as well. It’s encoded in your family genetics.”
“How do you always know what I’m thinking?” I demanded.
One corner of his mouth tilted. “I don’t. I just know that’s what I’d be thinking if I were in your shoes.”
Hmm. Something about this demon did not sit right with me. I really wished my mother had found a less dangerous advisor. I lowered my voice. “Can you really shift into all your former selfs? Anyone you’ve been throughout all your lifetimes?”
He nodded, glancing off in the distance. “It’s both a blessing and a curse. To remember what you once were and could never be again …”
I could see how that might be troubling, especially if your current incarnation was that of a demon. “Why does my mother trust you so much?”
He studied my face. “She has her reasons. Princess, know that I will put your safety above all else. That is the least I owe your mother.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Why would you owe her anything?”
“Someday I’ll explain, but not this day.” He turned and walked away, leaving me even more confused than when he first came over. Like it or not I was going to have to deal with him until my mother returned.
Shaking off my unease, I made my way toward Michael. He was deep in conversation with Blake and didn’t notice my approach. However, Seth watched me the whole time. Poor kid looked scared out of his mind. I guess I would be, too, with all the creatures he’d been raised to hate in one room.
When I got close enough, he looked down at the floor and then back up at me. I offered him a smile and reached out my hand. He hesitated before
They nodded.
Closing my eye, I conjured up the elements required to shield the castle from any damage from the storm. It happened so quickly, I had to ask the energy to rewind and show me in slow motion to be sure it was done properly.
“Wow. Henrek, this is beyond our wildest dreams. They are prodigies—” I stopped myself from continuing when I remembered Lila was in the room. “They are perfect.”
“Lila, we no longer need the spell of concealment.” I paused. “Actually, let’s keep it up. With the rate they are growing who knows what will happen. It’s best to wait and see what happens with the realms and the storm before we bring them to the others.”
Lila’s face softened as she gazed down upon them. “I’ve always wanted children.”
“Why haven’t you?” I asked.
“Barren. Part of the curse.”
“You were cursed?”
The old woman glanced sideways in surprise. “You don’t get perfection without a price.”
Chapter Ten
I n a rush I hurried back upstairs, leaving Lila downstairs with the halflings and Henrek.
Without wasting time I made my way to the center of the room. “We’re protected from the storms. Of course, you are free to leave the castle if you wish, but I’d suggest that you do not. I’ve been warned about the impending storms, and they will wreak havoc on the lands around us.”
There was some mumbling but no real complaints. I don’t think anyone really wanted to venture into the storm. Hopefully, they would all get along in the confined space, who knew how long they were going to be stuck indoors together.
Scanning the room, I found Michael and Blake talking. They had Seth with them. Thank goodness, in all the commotion I’d forgotten all about bringing the boy back.
Mother, are you okay?
No reply.
My heart literally stopped in my chest. Mother?
Demitrious came to my side. “She’s fine. Her attention is focused and she can’t be distracted right now.”
My head snapped up to stare at the demon. “How would you know?”
His face never changed. I wondered if he always looked so serious. “She made sure I would know if her magick was no more.”
Why would she do that? I wondered. And why hadn’t she done the same for me?
As if he’d read my mind, he lowered his voice. “You would know as well. It’s encoded in your family genetics.”
“How do you always know what I’m thinking?” I demanded.
One corner of his mouth tilted. “I don’t. I just know that’s what I’d be thinking if I were in your shoes.”
Hmm. Something about this demon did not sit right with me. I really wished my mother had found a less dangerous advisor. I lowered my voice. “Can you really shift into all your former selfs? Anyone you’ve been throughout all your lifetimes?”
He nodded, glancing off in the distance. “It’s both a blessing and a curse. To remember what you once were and could never be again …”
I could see how that might be troubling, especially if your current incarnation was that of a demon. “Why does my mother trust you so much?”
He studied my face. “She has her reasons. Princess, know that I will put your safety above all else. That is the least I owe your mother.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Why would you owe her anything?”
“Someday I’ll explain, but not this day.” He turned and walked away, leaving me even more confused than when he first came over. Like it or not I was going to have to deal with him until my mother returned.
Shaking off my unease, I made my way toward Michael. He was deep in conversation with Blake and didn’t notice my approach. However, Seth watched me the whole time. Poor kid looked scared out of his mind. I guess I would be, too, with all the creatures he’d been raised to hate in one room.
When I got close enough, he looked down at the floor and then back up at me. I offered him a smile and reached out my hand. He hesitated before
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