Mistlight (The Aenigma Lights Book 2) by JA Andrews

Author:JA Andrews [Andrews, JA]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-07-29T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

Kate stood between the two beds in the familiar room above Yellow’s tavern, wiping the last of the mud off her arms and face. The branch of the pine that snaked in through the cracked-open window sent a pleasing warmth into the room.

Ayen sat on one bed, scanning the room, holding a bowl of roasted almonds. He offered some to Kate.

She took a handful and found them still warm. “Are these from Yellow?” She breathed in the roasted, nutty scent, which was so perfect she let out a little laugh.

Ayen paused at the question. “Yes, is that funny?”

“They smell exactly like him.” Kate popped one in her mouth. It was salty and warm and rich.

Ayen’s eyes narrowed. “I’ve never noticed.”

“She’s speaking figuratively,” Venn said from the other bed. “She thinks everyone smells.”

Ayen looked between the two of them with a lost expression, then settled a slightly accusing gaze on Venn. “I haven’t seen you in the White Wood in years, and yet you stay in Home often enough to have your own room?”

“It’s the only one with a tree.” Venn set her hand on the end of the branch and pushed it outside. “But since we can’t afford to be overheard⁠—”

“Wait!” The edge of a question tickled Kate’s mind, and she turned to Venn. “Maybe he wasn’t just posturing!”

“Me?” Ayen asked.

Kate shook her head as the different pieces fell into place and the whole idea brightened. “Of course it would block him.” Kate pointed at Venn. “We wondered why Thallion commanded us to do what we’d already planned—I think he didn’t know!”

Venn frowned. “We were standing right under his tree.”

“No.” Kate waved her hand at both elves. “Listen through the tree.”

Ayen reached out to touch the branch too.

Kate sent a veil of vitalle out of her fingers, grimacing at the effort it took. She spread a shield around herself. The warmth from the tree disappeared, and the cold emptiness of the room wrapped around her. “We said our plans inside a shield.”

Venn’s eyes widened.

“It makes sense that if the shield blocks out the forest, it also blocks out Thallion,” Kate said.

Ayen’s mouth dropped open. “The tree can’t hear you!”

“And better yet,” Venn said to Kate, grinning, “it couldn’t sense you well at all. To it, you look like a blurry haze of dim light.” She motioned at the branch. “I’m still getting rid of this, for an extra measure.” She pushed the tree branch outside and closed the window. She pointed three fingers, then closed them, tucking them under her thumb. “That’s Silas’s sign for ‘hide,’ right? All three of us.”

Kate sat next to Venn, stretching the shield around both elves as well as herself. The chill air seeped down her neck, and she expanded the shell to include the candle on the table as well, capturing the little heat it put off.

Ayen still watched them somewhat warily. Venn leaned forward and took a handful of nuts. “Queen Naevys is missing. Thallion doesn’t know where she is.”

Ayen blinked. “Missing?”

“Has been for several weeks,” Venn said.

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