“We have a visit to make,” Rhain told her.
She raised a brow.
“The head priestess has summoned us.”
Beside her, Tavith did his best to hide a wince.
“Priestess?” Mal said.
“Yes, we have a sect of women who are especially sensitive to energy. Most people call them energy witches. They can see visions.”
Both of Mal’s eyebrows went up. “Really?”
“Really. They connect with the energy flowing somehow between space and time, and get glimpses of the future.”
“O-kay.”
“The head priestess might give us something about Krastin or Poppy.”
Mal froze. “All right. Lead on.”
They headed out of the palace and crossed the large main bridge. He watched Mal slow her steps, breathe deeply.
“God, this place is pretty.”
He looked at it, trying to see it through her eyes. “I loved growing up here. I grew up running through the streets of Citadel with Thadd.”
“He’s like a brother to you.”
“I also have two brothers.”
Her eyebrows winged up. “Really?”
“Not here. They aren’t Zhalton, and they’re technically half-brothers. Zavir fathered a son with wives from the other two habitable planets in the system. My brother Brodin rules the planet Damar. Graylan rules the planet Taln.”
“Do you get along?”
He nodded. “We do, and we’re united in our hatred of Zavir.”
“Can they use energy like you do?”
“No, each of the species on the other planets have their own powers. The Damari are wolf shapeshifters, and the Taln can utilize the geological forces of their planet.” He scanned his city. “I worry that Zavir will attack their planets too.”
She touched Rhain’s arm. “You’ll beat him.”
A group of children, led by two teachers, walked by. The boys and girls called out hellos and waved to Rhain, all of them beaming.
“You belong here.” A sad smile crossed Mal’s face. “It must be nice to know you truly fit somewhere.”
He hated that she’d never had that. “I always knew Zavir might come for me, or attack Zhalto. I knew I had to protect it.”
“I get that…but at what price?”
“Any.”
She looked away. “Your own life?”
“If required.” He moved closer behind her, nuzzled her neck. “But I’d prefer to live.”
She looked up at him. “I’d prefer that too.”
He took her hand, entwining their fingers. He led her toward the temple of the energy.
It was built of the same white stone as the palace, but more intricately carved.
“God, it looks like icing,” Mal muttered. “Like a fancy cake.”
They entered through the large, arched doorway. Several young women in flowing, gauzy dresses of white and pale blue met them.
Inside, there were flowers everywhere. They were all pale colors as well, energy wafting off them.
A tall brunette appeared, her hair flowing to her waist. “She’s waiting for you, Overlord.”
“Thank you.”
They entered through another ornate archway. Beyond lay a shadowed room, candles flickering, creating islands of light. A shallow pool of water sat in the center. Light filtered down from above, making the surface shine silver.
A woman stepped forward.
The witch was a few years older than Rhain. Tall, slender, with a wisp of a white dress on, she had long, dark hair that fell below her hips.
She was beautiful, but the constant immersion in the energy left her thin, brittle, her cheekbones like blades.
She wore a single, silver flower tucked behind one ear. Her eyes were so silver that they looked white, sparking with electricity.
Beside him, he felt Mal stiffen.
“Overlord.” The woman’s voice held a faint, sibilant rasp.
“Priestess.”
The woman turned her eerie gaze to Mal. “Mallory West of Earth.”
“Ah, nice to meet you.”
“You’ve come a long way.”
“Accidentally.”
“I sense you are where you’re supposed to be.”
Mal glanced at Rhain, then back at the woman. “I have to find my friend.”
“Yes, before it’s too late.”
Mal took a step forward. “Do you know something? Is Poppy all right?”
“She has a difficult journey ahead.”
“Um, do you give straight answers?”
The woman spread long-fingered hands. “I share what the energy shares with me.”
Mal released a long breath. “Okay.”
“Overlord, you must face Krastin. The prosperity of Zhalto depends on it.”
“How do we find him?” Rhain asked.
“I don’t know all the answers. Some, you will have to uncover for yourself.”
He winced.
“Rhain?” Mal said.
“She wants to do a vision.”
“What does that mean?” Mal asked.
“You must both step into the energy.” The priestess touched her finger to the pool of water.
A blast of energy filled the room, and the water flew up, then fell back down into the pool.
Mal gasped and stepped backward.
Energy rose like a mist, twisting around the pool and into the air. It looked like a whirlwind, sparking with different colors.
“We have to step into that?” Mal breathed.
“It won’t hurt you,” he said. “But it’s not pleasant.”
“You’ve done it before?”
“A few times.”
“Well, if it helps us find Poppy…”
He held out his hand and she took it.
Together they stepped into the energy maelstrom.
Chapter Twelve
Oh. God.
It was like stepping into a vortex. Energy whipped around Mal and stung her skin. She wondered how long she would have to endure the discomfort.
Then, suddenly, it seemed to flow more evenly, like it was adjusting itself to her.
Strong fingers squeezed hers, and she looked up into silver eyes. She loved looking at those eyes.
Rhain pulled her closer, and she wrapped her arms around him.
Images hammered at her brain, like flashes of light, too fast to comprehend.
She saw Rhain. She saw Krastin. She saw Poppy.
She saw herself and Rhain in the garden. Naked. His big hands on her body.
Desire swamped her.
She looked up and saw that his eyes were glowing, and she felt the throb between her legs.
She went up on her toes and kissed him.
It was wild, hungry. He hauled her closer. The energy enhanced it all, but she knew Rhain was potent enough without it.
They kissed in the center of the energy storm, and nothing had ever felt more right.
Mal felt truly connected to him, not alone, like she was important to this man.
Then slowly, the energy died away.
They broke the kiss, and stood there staring at each other.
The energy witch laughed. “Energy loves to transform and change, kill and unite.”
Great, more useless drivel.
“What did you see?” Rhain asked the witch, his voice husky.