Page 69 of Dryad’s Treasure

“Indeed,” Holland said, one large hand on Hikaru’s shoulder. “I believe not even you could make this big of a mess.”

Hikaru’s grin was practically feral. “Now, Niki, you should know better than to challenge me like that.”

Holland’s complexion went a little green around the edges. “That was not a challenge.”

Hikaru’s answering cackle proved it most certainly was.

Twenty-Nine

Grayson

I’d rarely felt so damn useless. Standing there, all I could do was watch as Hikaru walked around Martin’s trunk. Every so often, he’d tilt his head as if considering something. He and Holland would often speak in soft tones, too light for me to hear as they discussed the situation and how best to go about undoing the damage—if it could truly be undone at all.

“I need to get a better look at this barrier Martin made,” Hikaru said before disappearing, leaving Holland behind.

Holland didn’t seem upset by his companion’s sudden exit. His gaze was focused on Martin’s trunk. “It’s an impressive barrier,” Holland commented. “I believe we can say for certain that the magic distributed through the buzzweeds did indeed come from a home-and-hearth pixie. Time will tell if there is truly a bond or if only a barrier was created.”

“Do you have a suspicion one way or another?” Keir asked.

Holland’s slow nod was his initial answer. “I do.” Wincing, Holland added, “I believe it is just a barrier, though as we have all said, to anyone’s knowledge, this is a first.”

“And hopefully a last,” Tabitha said, voice strained. She’d woken up about ten minutes ago and been brought up to speed. Tabitha had commented that she wouldn’t have minded remaining unconscious a little longer. She’d also confirmed that Elvira was fine, but Tabitha herself was too weak to help her manifest. As it was, Tabitha was still lying on the floor, Jima tucked in tightly at her side. Keir had finally set the wyvern eggs down, nesting them between Jima and Tabitha, determined to keep them warm.

“You’ll get no disagreement from me,” Holland answered. “I can’t see magic like Hikaru can, but I can feel it and…I’m sorry to say that I feel nothing coming from Martin’s tree.”

Fear gripped my chest, wrapping it in icy tentacles. “That’s what I was afraid of,” I answered, my words nearly too quiet for any to hear.

Walking around Martin’s trunk, Holland stood before me, fingers outstretched and two rings flaring to life. Magic swirled around his blackened fingers. “You are very different. I can feel the magic in you, and it is more than should be there. It is no small thing that you saved Martin’s magic. No matter what happens, I want you to understand that.”

His words should have been comforting, and in a way, they were. But at the end of the day, I just wanted Martin back. I wanted to feel his arms around me, holding me close. I wanted him to fuss over my stamina and health. I wanted his solid strength, guiding me and anchoring my wisp form, allowing me the freedom to do what my nature desired. Was I selfish, wanting it all? I didn’t know, and frankly, I didn’t care.

Tabitha’s scratchy voice disturbed my melancholic thoughts. “What of Lazarus and the other wyvern?”

Keir had yet to enlighten us beyond a simple “it’s handled for now.” Inhaling deeply, Keir raked his fingers through his thick hair and answered, “Lazarus is alive, though badly injured. Thalia believes he will recover in time, though there will be scarring.”

“And the eggs?” Tabitha prompted.

Keir offered a tired smile. “It seems Thalia and her wyvern escort have neutralized Verona—her words, not mine. As for Axios, it has been deemed too dangerous for any in their current party to search for him, fearing the same cold could take them as well.” Keir offered me a very satisfied grin. “As for the eggs… It seems neither Thalia nor the wyvern she brought with her are able to breach the barrier Martin created.”

Henry clapped. “So, if we never leave the place, then they can’t touch us. Works for me!” Henry finished with a sharp cackle that nearly pierced my ear. He’d yet to leave my body and had scampered back onto my shoulder earlier.

“Yeah. Yay.” Jima didn’t sound nearly as pleased. I couldn’t say that I blamed him. Thoughts of never being able to leave the compound didn’t really sit well with me either.

“It’s not going to come to that,” Keir reassured us. “When we’re finished here”—Keir cringed and offered me an apologetic tilt of his lips considering how crass that sounded—“I’ll head topside with the eggs. The rest of you will remain behind.” When Jima opened his mouth to argue, Keir held up a halting hand. “I won’t risk you. Not again. We’ve all lost too much and while I appreciate the support, at least I know that in here, within these walls, you’ll be safe.”

“But you won’t be,” Jima argued.

“Possibly not. It’s a risk, but one I’m willing to take,” Keir answered. “It’s my responsibility.”

“Like hell it is,” Tabitha answered, coughing into her hand.

Keir walked to Tabitha, crouching by her side and reaching over to lay a hand on the eggs. “You’re right. I didn’t take them, but I am the leader of the council now. All of you elected me to that position when Huxley…well, when Huxley left. It’s not a position I take lightly.”

“Of course not,” Jima all but huffed.

“We would all sacrifice ourselves for one another.” Keir turned his head, staring at Martin’s trunk. “The proof is right before you. Tabitha nearly drained herself. Jima was willing to go up against a djinn. Henry’s gone out of his way to show Grayson and Martin where the buzzweeds were located to save Grayson as much discomfort as possible.”

“Fat lot of good that did,” Henry murmured, most likely too low for Keir to hear.