“Being a hearth witch, there are skills I’ve had since I was very young, and there is work that attracts me. So my dreams had a shape. But Jillian is a young witch who hasn’t found her passion yet, and I think this valley is starting to feel small. She doesn’t fit in with the Rihlander girls who are her equivalent age. She might one day, but she doesn’t now.”

“What am I supposed to do? Let her be moody and unhappy?”

Marian rose on her toes and gave him a light kiss on the lips. “For now.”

Lucivar studied the concern in her gold eyes. “What?”

“Are you going to check on your brother today?”

“Wasn’t planning to. I have a full day of work in Ebon Rih. Besides, if I show up today, he’ll think I’m worried about him.”

“Aren’t you?”

He sighed. “Yeah. I am. But that’s not something I can tell him.” Just like I can’t say how much I’m worried about you.

“You could tell him that Nurian asked how he was feeling and if he’d like her to make up another batch of those healing herbs for him to take when the headache is just coming on.”

“I’m not going to lie to him, Marian.”

“It wouldn’t be a lie if you actually asked her.”

That would give him an excuse to see Nurian and ask about other things as well. “I can do that.”

She gave him another kiss and stepped back. “You’re lingering and about to start fussing. Go to work, Lucivar.”

“I’ll bring something from The Tavern for the midday meal.” She would “forget” to eat during the day if he wasn’t there, so he made sure he swung back home to feed her. She was still nursing the baby and he could see the weight slipping off her—weight she couldn’t afford to lose.

He flew to the communal eyrie, where Rothvar and the other men waited for him to review the day’s list of duties. Once the other men headed out, he flew to Nurian’s eyrie.

“Prince Sadi?” she asked as soon as Lucivar entered the room where she made her tonics and healing brews.

“He’s fine as far as I know. I just wanted to check if he could get another batch of those herbs. . . .”

“He’s run out already?” Nurian sounded alarmed. “I gave him enough to make up several healing brews. If he’s run out—”

Lucivar raised a hand to stop her. “I just wanted to let him know you would do that if he needs more.” His eyes narrowed as he watched the tension leave her shoulders.

“Of course,” she said. “My apologies, Prince. I made the mixture strong, since his headaches were so severe, and it shouldn’t be used in excess.” She thought for a moment. “And it shouldn’t be used by anyone else. You would be all right with that mixture, but not anyone who wears a Jewel lighter than Ebon-gray.”

“I’m sure he wouldn’t leave the jar unshielded, but I’ll have a word with his valet just to be safe. Right now, I’d like to encourage him to use the stuff, but I’ll say something to him if it looks like he’s using more than he should.” He gave Nurian that lazy, arrogant smile. “Now, Healer, is there something I should know about my wife?”

She hesitated. “I’ve told you everything I know, Prince. I won’t deny that I’m concerned, but Marian isn’t the only woman whose recovery after having a baby has taken longer than is usual. It happens. There is nothing for me to heal, nothing to mend.”

“She’s fading, Nurian. She’s hidden it well, but she’s fading.”

“I know. All I can recommend is food and rest—and time to let her body heal on its own.”

He wasn’t sure that would be enough, but he knew Nurian was doing everything she could—and he suspected everything she could do wouldn’t be enough.

As he stood in front of Nurian’s eyrie, he looked toward the mountain called Ebon Askavi. A century ago, there had been someone else he could have asked for help, would have asked. But maybe there was someone there now who could help. It wasn’t his place to challenge visitors who came to the Keep. The vast library and historical records drew scholars and historians from all the Territories in the Realm. However, the appearance of someone wearing a Gray Jewel was bound to catch his attention.

His visit to the Keep didn’t take more than a handful of minutes to confirm that, yes, Lady Karla was now in residence and would be staying for the foreseeable future.

He didn’t think Draca could actually foresee the future, but considering who and what she was, he wouldn’t have bet on it. Didn’t matter at the moment. The sun was up, which meant Karla, being demon-dead, was at rest until the sun went down. He would return then, since Karla had not only been a Queen and a Black Widow; she’d been a strong Healer who had learned some of her healing Craft from Jaenelle Angelline.

Nothing he could do right now for Daemon or Marian, so he dealt with the work of ruling Ebon Rih. If worry was the whip that pushed him to work harder, to work until his body ached with fatigue, it was no one’s business but his own.

 

* * *

 

* * *

Daemon knocked on the door and waited to be acknowledged before entering Surreal’s bedroom. Staying near the door, he tucked his hands in his trouser pockets and watched her transfer the folded clothes on the bed into a trunk.

“Going somewhere?” he asked quietly.

“I’m going to check on the family’s other estates,” she replied, not looking at him.

“Again?”

“Yes. Again. I’ll be back in a few days.”

Will you be home and back under my protection before your moon’s blood begins to flow? He’d done a quick calculation that morning while he was in the shower and wondered if her mood last night—and apparently this morning—had a simple explanation. While she should be safe at any of the SaDiablo estates, she knew it was easier for him to allow other males to be around her during the vulnerable days if she was here at the Hall or staying at the family’s town house in Amdarh, where he could count on the staff to assist in protecting her.

He studied her stiff movements, which usually meant she was primed for a fight. It wouldn’t be prudent to mention her moontime, but perhaps he could make things easier for her.

“Would you like help draining some of the power from your Gray Jewel?” he asked. Since she couldn’t use her power during those first three days of her moontime, her Jewels needed enough of the reservoir of power drained to make room for the power that needed to be channeled out of her body.

“No, I already took care of that.” She looked up from her packing but didn’t quite look at him. “But thanks for the offer.”