Page 89 of The Edge of Darkness

“They did not,” I argued.

“I was there, Auren. I witnessed it.”

“They were just astonished that a woman had even been invited to participate.”

He laughed this time, deep and smooth. “Think whatever you want, little one, I’m not here to argue. Just . . . take the compliment.”

Slowly, I met his gaze.

“You’re talented, and beautiful, and blessed by Karios himself. And you’re my Dionam. Needless to say, I’m overtaken with pride.”

Before I could respond, the door to Nivelle’s chamber swung open, and the witch leaned her head out to look both ways down the hall corridor. “What are you two arguing about out here?”

“We’re not arguing,” Silas and I said at the same time.

She looked back and forth between us, then pursed her lips.

“I came to summon you, actually,” I said to her.

“For what?”

“To see if you’d like to join me in a quick training session before we head east.”

Silas pushed off the wall. “Training?”

“You’re free to join as well,” I offered.

He kept his arms crossed. “I will never turn down a good training session.”

I swung my head back to Nivelle, awaiting her answer.

She started to protest. “I don’t have⁠—”

“We’ll provide everything you need.” I smiled, and she shifted her jaw, as if weighing the risks and benefits.

“Fine,” she said as she stepped past the threshold.

The walk to the patio of The Keep was a quiet one.

When we stepped through the large double doors, Aremis was waiting for us. “Good, you made it.” He nodded to Silas. “And glad to see you are joining us as well.”

The sun reflected off Silas’s white wings as he stretched them out in the breeze. “Happy to.”

“Have you ever ported before?” Aremis asked Nivelle.

She shook her head. “No. But I’ve seen it done.” She gestured toward her brother. “Dionachs are able to port.”

“Good. So you understand the essence of it.”

“I guess.”

He stretched out his hand to her. “All it requires is that you have an anchor to the one who’s doing the porting. That way, they can take you with them.”

She stared at his hand.

“Don’t worry,” I assured her. “It feels like going into a wind tunnel for a brief moment. Quick as a blink.” I pressed my lips together, smothering a grin. I’d knowingly said the same thing Niall had told me the first time I had been about to port with him. And oh how untrue the words were for someone fresh into porting.

She eyed me warily, then placed her pale hand in Aremis’s. Silas took hold of his shoulder, and I his elbow.