Lillis burst into the courtyard. Her father was standing beside a pretty fountain near a copse of small, flowering trees. "Papa!" She raced towards him, only to stop, frozen in her tracks, when he turned to face her.

Only then did she realize what Lorelle had been trying to tell her.

Papa wasn't alone. He was with someone else, a person he'd been standing so near, Lillis hadn't seen her until Papa turned.

Lillis felt her body shake. Tears filled her eyes, blurring her vision and spilling down her cheeks. She took one shaky step, then another and another. Then she was running.

She crossed the small courtyard in a flash and threw herself into the waiting arms of the woman standing beside Sol Baristani. And when the familiar arms, so strong, so loving, closed around her, and the familiar scent of rosewater filled her nose, Lillis sobbed brokenly.

"Mama. Oh, Mama, I've missed you so much."

Chapter twenty-one

I am born a thousand times

When I see you,

I live a thousand lives

When I am with you,

And I die a thousand deaths

When you leave.

Born, Live, Die, a courtship poem from

Adriel vel Arquinas to his truemate

Elvia ~ Navahele

Ellysetta woke to the ethereal beauty of Elvish dawn song rising through the trees and the joy of Rain's warm body wrapped around hers. For a moment, she lay there, hugging the arm draped over her. She ran her fingers lightly over his and carried his hand to her lips. Such strength, such power, and yet ultimately so fragile.

The memory of Hawksheart's dire prediction of Rain's fate made her eyes close in grief. She had only one month to bind her soul to Rain's or lose him to the bond madness. Just the thought of it made panic tighten her chest and robbed her lungs of breath.

She couldn't lose him. Not to bond madness. Not to war. Not to the High Mage.

«Shei'tani?» A sleepy thread of Spirit brushed across her senses. Rain's fingers flexed against her lips. The body that had been relaxed against her in sleep now shifted and his arms tightened around her. «Arast sha de?» What is it?

She turned towards him. His eyes were still closed. He was still half-asleep, and it was only her distress that had roused him. She stroked his brow. «Neitha, shei'tan. It's nothing. Go back to sleep.» She accompanied the reassurance with a light weave of compulsion and peace.

But as he began to sink back into weary sleep, a staccato rap upon the door shattered the silence.

Rain's eyes flashed open. Before she could take another breath, he'd leapt from the bed and crossed the room in a blur of speed. His meicha scimitar flew out of its sheath and into his hand as he went, and he flung open the door, razored steel in one hand, magic blazing in the other.

An Elf stood on the landing outside the bower door.

"Forgive the intrusion," he said calmly, as if confronting naked, sword- and magic-wielding Tairen Souls were an everyday occurrence. "Lord Galad sends his apologies but says you must depart immediately. Please gather your things and join him on Grandfather's island."

Half a bell later, clad once more in her studded red leathers and bloodsworn blades, Ellysetta stood by Rain's side at the base of Grandfather Sentinel. Early morning light filtered through the cool, dew-drenched leaves, and curling clouds of mist rose from the silvery ponds at the city's center, lending a dreamlike feel to the peaceful enchantment of Navahele.

Galad Hawksheart stood at the base of the ancient Sentinel tree, garbed in flowing, silver-shot robes of sage green. "I had invited the leaders of the Danae to join us in Elvia so you could meet with them. Unfortunately, there is no longer time. You must depart for the Celierian-Eld border immediately."

"Why?" Rain asked. "What has happened?"

"A verse I'd long hoped would remain silent has begun to play." Hawksheart's face was etched in grim lines. "The next battle begins in six days' time, not the two weeks you were expecting. And without you, defeat is certain."

"Where?" Rain asked instantly. "Kreppes?"

Hawksheart bowed his head. "Lord Barrial's Elf blood has long made his family a target of interest for this High Mage."

Beside Ellysetta, a sudden bloom of heat burned through the morning mist as Tajik's Fire magic flared. "Barrial as well?" His hands bunched into fists. "You stand here and tell us another of your kin is in mortal danger—and no doubt you Saw it centuries ago—yet still you will not lift a finger to save him?"

The Elf king's eyes flashed with ire. "Have I not just revealed a truth you did not know? Am I not sending you to Lord Barrial's aid? As I have explained, I cannot do more without causing great harm. You Fey look for patterns in the gods' weaves. We Elves See them. We help where we can, Tajik, but some weaves must be spun. Some Songs must be sung."

"So you always say. No matter who pays the price." Tajik spat a curse and stalked off.

"Tajik is overset by the news of his sister," Rijonn said. "I'm sure when his emotions calm, he will regret his harsh words."

"No, he won't." Hawksheart gave a thin smile. "I know my cousin. He's a hothead. Always has been. But he's a strong blade, and a fierce and tireless champion of the Light. You'll need both before this Song is done. Here." He thrust a long, cloth-wrapped bundle into Rain's hands with none of his usual Elvish grace. "This is my gift to you."

Rain frowned and unwrapped the bundle. His brows climbed to his hairline when the soft cloth fell away to reveal a spiraling silver horn. "Shadar horn?"