I can’t believe my eyes.
Korah stands several feet away, her white hair braided into two single braids that carry down to her waist. Her hands are lit in lavender flames that create enough light to shine down on us and highlight this section of the forest. My eyes find hers, fiery rings around her pupils that shimmer purple, and a smirk claims her lips.
“Korah,” I breathe. How is she here? I thought she was never coming back to Vakeeli.
“The Korah? The Regal?” Maeve gapes, climbing to her feet. Juniper, Rowan, and Killian do the same, staring at the Regal with a mixture of shock and fascination.
“In the flesh,” Korah says, and the flames fade from her hands. Her eyes remain lit as she takes her time studying each of us.
“You saved our lives.” Maeve drops to her knees, bowing her head to the Regal, and her children follow suit.
“Please don’t bow to me,” Korah says, and Maeve tips her chin.
“It’s an honor to be spared by a Regal,” Maeve insists.
“I understand, but no need for formalities. Please rise,” Korah demands.
They all stand again, dusting off their clothes, and I move closer. “What made you come back to Vakeeli?” I ask.
“I didn’t have enough power to kill that vessel of a man and keep the portal open when I sent you and Caspian back,” she states. “Your mate seemed to know this, and he saved my life by taking Decius’s vessel into the portal with him. I suppose I couldn’t let him have one up on me.”
I crack a smile at that, shaking my head. I know that’s not the truth, and that it goes so much deeper than that, but if that’s what she wants to stick with, I’ll take it.
“I flew past the Dark Cliffs,” Korah states, more serious now. “I saw Caspian. He’s tracking Decius by his blood. He’s lost a lot, Decius. This is a good thing.”
“Can he still hurt Caz?” I ask.
“That depends. Did Hassha offer him protection?”
“She gave it to both of us…which doesn’t make sense if those shadows attacked me. But I think Decius sent them after us. I could feel it, and I heard his voice.”
“He’s using what’s left of his energy to prevent you from reaching Caspian. He knows the presence of your Tether along with the Trench weapons is more than enough to defeat him.” Korah’s eyes travel up and down the length of me. “I do not detect Hassha’s energy on you. That means her protection is wearing off, and if yours is, so is Caspian’s.”
Korah strides toward me, placing her hands on my shoulders. Her touch sears through my shirt, but I don’t budge despite the heat. The warmth of her hands travels through me, touching every organ, until she finally pulls away.
She moves to Maeve next, placing her hands on her shoulders as she did mine. She does this to everyone, and when she’s done, she finally says, “I don’t have much in me, but this should protect you for at least another hour.”
“How do you get your energy?” Maeve inquires. “Perhaps we can help you restore it.”
“My energy comes from many things combined. I swim, I fly, I lie on a large field full of flowers and plants and absorb it all. All the land, water, and vegetation of Vakeeli fill me. However, it requires a lot of rest, a lot of eating, and many chants. I haven’t been able to do that in ages.” Korah blinks then steps away, her hands conjuring purple flames again. “Caspian is this way. Follow me.”
