Sorry for the delay! This chapter has taken on a life of its own and keeps growing. I’ve decided to break it up into sections and intersperse it with prior chapters so the timeline doesn’t keep resetting quite so much. Without further ado, here is the first part of what I think is going to be three.

CHAPTER THIRTY

INISFAIL COURT

SHISTI

Shisti paused in her spell work and resolutely kept her eyes on the magical flames alight in the fireplace. Under the blanket on her lap, her hands curled into fists.The day had begun so well. She’d awakened from a dream in which her babies were free. Perhaps ten years old, full of laughter as they played with the carefree attitude of children who were safe and loved. It wasn’t a premonition, but rather her hopes playing out.

The Nixies had made breakfast, and everything changed. They weren’t the boisterous group they had been since they’d invaded her space and the meal was eaten in an awkward silence. Shisti knew better than to attempt friendly small talk. She had no talent for casual chitchat. Her gift was quelling conversation with a stare or a mere arch of one eyebrow. Since the women had essentially moved in, words, smiles, and laughter flew between them, filling the air with no effort on Shisti’s part. She’d always known words had power, but never imagined an intangible thing like happy words could fill a residence and make it a home.

At least, it felt like that until now. She’d been tempted to ask what was wrong, but had chosen not to in case one of the women said something that changed everything. Happiness felt a lot like balancing on a razor’s edge in a windstorm — the slightest breeze could cause a bloody fall.

The food grew less delicious with every bite. Shisti ate because her babies demanded nourishment, then retreated to her favorite chair in front of the fireplace, unsure she was welcome in her own rooms. She focused on the ward magic that would free Azar. The sooner she figured that out, the sooner she could escape all of this.

The women whispered among themselves all morning. Why didn’t they just leave? It felt like the situation had reverted to how everyone acted around Shisti. Fearful. Not speaking to her, definitely talking about her, though not loud enough for her to hear. She could use magic to listen, but doing that would force her to acknowledge the words were real. As long as she didn’t actually hear the women she thought were friends saying hurtful things, Shisti could pretend the murmurs were innocuous.

At least, she could try. The expressions on their faces said it all. The furtive looks. The sideways glances. Well, Shisti was used to those. The hurt that came with this betrayal had a sharp sting she hadn’t felt before. She’d allowed herself to think she had friends. She should have known better. Had known better before Azar’s arrival.

Shisti wrapped her arms around her babies. Love flowed between the three of them, freely given and joyfully received. She basked in the simple acceptance. It settled some of the confusing emotions roiling inside her. The old Shisti would have cursed these backstabbing betrayers and relished knowing they would suffer for their insolence. The new Shisti simply rose from her chair, full of disappointment rather than fury. Surely the women would leave if she went into her bedroom and ignored them.

The whispering increased in speed and volume. Shisti ground her teeth, refusing to show these ungrateful traitors they were getting to her. Head held high, she took measured steps across her sitting room. She wouldn’t run like a little girl needing to hide before she cried. Feet pattered over the floor. A hand landed on Shisti’s arm, stopping her retreat. Magic coiled like a whip, ready to strike the fool who dared touch her.

“Please. Shisti. Don’t go. We’ve been terribly rude, but it was only because the others were trying to help me be brave.”

Shisti’s fury blinked out, the emotion replaced by indignance. Why did they have to be brave here with her? “I have not hurt you. I would not.” She was almost positive that was true. It had only briefly occured to her to curse them this morning, and she hadn’t done it.

The woman’s eyes rounded. “Of course you wouldn’t.” One hand waved that possibility away. “I…I need to ask for your help.”

Startled, Shisti blinked, thankful for her Court Face. No one, other than Azar, had ever come to her out of friendship or for help.

The Nixie clutched Shisti’s hand in both of hers. “I know I don’t have any right to ask for more after everything you’ve already done for me. Us.” Words gushed out of the woman. “But I have to. It’s my sister. I thought she was dead, but I heard her this morning.” The woman tapped her head. “She’s still being held prisoner by Vilkos and his men. I…um, I thought with the wedding today it would be a good time to get her out.”

“Wedding?” There was always some sort of ridiculous pomp and circumstance ceremony happening in the castle with Fechin presiding like he was already King. Shisti avoided them like the plague.

The woman wrung her hands. “It was announced a couple of hours ago. Fechin and Azar are getting married today.”

The bastard wasn’t wasting any time, was he? News like that should have infuriated her, but Shisti felt a shocking lot of…nothing. She drummed her fingers on her rounded stomach, getting playful punches and kicks in return. Her babies were growing fast. She could almost hear delighted giggles at this game. Her children would want her to rescue this sister.

Vilkos would make an appearance at Fechin’s wedding, if only because Fechin wouldn’t want his brother at the ceremony, or anywhere near Azar. And where Vilkos went, so went his thugs. No better than a pack of rabid dogs. All of them vied for dominance and Vilkos’ favor. Shisti had seen that when Vilkos held her captive. Any prisoners would be lightly guarded by men who resented being left out of the fun. Fortunately, Shisti wasn’t wasting any time, either. She’d infused the wards with as much blood and magic as she dared. Much more, and someone might notice her tampering. She could focus on something else for a little while.

“So…will you help us?’ The Nixie bit her lip. “Please?”

Shisti could hardly let the Nymphs and Nixies attempt a rescue on their own. They were impulsive and would be captured in no time. “Yes. Let’s get your sister back.”

A cacophony of high-pitched shrieks assaulted Shisti’s ears as the women all tried to hug her at the same time.

“Do you know where your sister is being held?”

A hush fell over the women. “She…she’s in the tree.”

That would complicate things. A dungeon cell in Raven Castle wouldn’t present much of a problem, but breaking the connection between a victim and the tree growing in Vilkos’ territory would alert him of the escape and likely allow him to sense her magic. He would come running, eager to enslave her if he could catch her. Shisti pressed a hand to her abdomen. She would be going in aware, though, and sharing magic with her babies gave her the power of three.

“Let’s be quick about this.” Shisti murmured the magic to open a cabinet and perused the contents. She removed her dress and donned leather pants and shirt, eyeing her sword. It wasn’t her preferred defense, but a girl didn’t grow up among Valkyries and not learn to fight with fists and sharp things. Normally, her magic was enough to protect herself, but Vilkos and his men had magic too. They wouldn’t expect her to use bladed weapons against them. She pulled on spelled armor that covered her chest and back along with bracers that covered her arms from wrist to elbow. As she slipped the sword into its sheath on her back, she turned to face the Nixies and Nymphs, all of whom gaped at her.

“Do any of you know how to use a sword or dagger?” Shisti received the head shakes she expected. Reaching into the cabinet again, she removed several vials that contained spells and handed them around. “Throw these at your targets. Don’t drop them. When the glass breaks the spells will stun or render anyone close unconscious, including you if it lands at your feet.”

Shisti slipped a few vials into loops on her gauntlets. “I’ll materialize us outside Vilkos’ chambers. We go in, straight fir the tree, and get out as soon as possible. There can be no hesitation. Take out anyone you see. Agreed?”

A chorus of “yes” was the response.

“Very well. Gather around.” Shisti held out her arms. “Everyone hold on to me.” She pictured the corridor outside Vilkos’ chambers and released her magic. Tendrils of power wove around the women. When the web was complete, it took only a thought to dematerialize the group.