“The Enchanter tell you anything useful?”

  Trent walked over to the table where his wives sat expectantly. “I’m afraid not.”

  “Well, if it helps, he has a talent for that.”

  Trent pulled out a chair at the table and sat between Revca and Bethany. “The Enchanter said he has no way to locate Ivy’s soul. So, I’m open to suggestions as to how we can find her in the Firmament.”

  Revca scooted her chair closer. “Have you considered imbibing her quintessence?”

  Trent smiled. “I had, actually. I mentioned it to the Enchanter as a possibility, but he suggested I do it. Do you think it would work?”

  “It’s certainly something we should try.” Revca sat back in her chair and visibly pondered their options. “If that doesn’t work... well... we might consider asking for advice.”

  “We already asked Xorumon about her. He didn’t have anything useful to say.”

  “I meant from our friends at the Primal Academy. We have a number of experienced mages who might have experienced similar problems. I could⁠—”

  Trent touched her hand. “You’re not going there.”

  Revca blinked. “Why not?”

  “You’re the realm’s only primal conjurer, remember? I’m sure someone there could figure that out, or they might already know. What if they try to recruit you?”

  Revca smiled dangerously. “They would regret that.”

  “Yes, but we don’t want to start a diplomatic incident with an allied academy. If we get desperate enough to draw upon their knowledge, we’ll send Kari. She knows people there.”

  Revca sighed. “I wish there was more I could think of to help.”

  “You’ll come up with something. You always do.” Trent glanced at Bethany. “What about your theory?”

  Bethany frowned. “What theory?”

  “That the dagger’s enchantment only activates during an eclipse.”

  “I thought the Enchanter said that was impossible.”

  “Emerald reminded us all he doesn’t know everything, and I trust you more than I trust him. Is it worth testing?”

  Revca leaned forward again. “How would we test it?”

  “Well... we’d just have to find another total eclipse.” He pivoted to Emerald. “The Enchanter said his orrery was precise. Do you agree?”

  Emerald grinned. “Oh, yeah. It’s crazy accurate. A work of art if I’ve ever seen one.”

  “So all we need to do is learn where and when the next total solar eclipse will take place, and get there ahead of time. It’s worth pursuing. While we research that, any other suggestions?”

  No one spoke up. Trent could tell they were as worried about Ivy as he was, especially given their rapidly dwindling options to find her. He needed to project confidence for their sake, and he had to remember Kari’s faith in him... and in his tribe.

  “Keep thinking. We’ll come up with something. For now, I should report to Princess Victoria. Then, Emerald, if you wouldn’t mind escorting me to that orrery?”

  She practically bounced off the bookshelf. “Sure thing. I’ll be at archery practice. Come find me when you’re done cuddling your princess.”

  “I’m not...” Trent sighed and nodded. “Thank you.”

  Revca rose as well. “While you’re gone, I’ll imbibe some of Ivy’s quintessence and search the Firmament for her. If I can track her down, I’ll send someone to find you.”

  Bethany rose as well. “And I’ll get lunch started for us. We can’t accomplish anything if we don’t eat.” She walked over and kissed him on the cheek. “How many for supper tonight? You invited Pip and Aron to join us again?”

  Trent smiled as he remembered that as worrisome as things stood, there were reasons to celebrate as well. “Gods, I forgot to tell you. My parents will be joining us as well.”

  The looks his wives offered ranged from delight to disbelief. Bethany clutched his hands and smiled in delight.

  “They’re here?”

  “It seems so.”

  “How?”

  “My mother, obviously. She spotted the pattern of people coming to the monastery and followed it to its source. That’s something else I need to talk to Princess Victoria about.”

  Sapphire groaned at the door. “I knew we should have changed our pattern earlier.”

  Trent gave Bethany’s hand another squeeze, then walked toward the door. “My thoughts as well. We’ve gotten too predictable. So, Beth, in addition to our tribe, we can expect my parents, Pip, Aron, and possibly Gertrude if she’s here.”

  Bethany turned with a swish of her braid and hurried to their pantry. “That will be quite the gathering. There’s no way we can feed all those people with what we have on hand. I’ll figure something out. You focus on the princess, and then on planning our next move.”

  As he watched Bethany poke through their pantry, beautifully pregnant with their first child, he was struck anew by how competent every woman in his tribe was. Every last one of the women who had chosen to make a life with him had her own unique talents, and they were all as smart as they came. They also knew how to handle all the matters he couldn’t.

  With them all working together, there was no chance they wouldn’t find a way to retrieve Ivy’s soul. He looked at Sapphire.

  “Shall we go see the princess?”

  She shrugged. “Least that’ll stop her from asking about you.”

  They left Bethany to her supper preparations, Revca to her exploration of the Firmament, and Kari to her duties monitoring Ivy’s body. Emerald fell into step with him and Sapphire as they left, but soon split off to head to the archery grounds.

  As he and Sapphire walked toward the heavily guarded building where Princess Victoria was living, he did what he could to gauge her mood. Their trip across Clarion had taught him a few things about Sapphire, one of which was that every man she had ever met and befriended had eventually asked for more... which she wasn’t remotely interested in.

  Sapphire didn’t want a man. She didn’t want anyone, ever. She simply wasn’t interested in sex. And while her preference might be uncommon, Trent was determined to respect it.

  He didn’t sense any discomfort from her at the moment, not like when they’d set off to Clarion, which was a positive sign. Sapphire also seemed comfortable walking in silence, just like him and Pip when they’d had a long patrol ahead of them on the streets of Whitebridge.

  To his surprise, Sapphire broke the silence as they approached Princess Victoria’s building. “I don’t know how best to say this, so I’ll just plow through. I’m glad we talked back in those woods. I appreciate you understanding... well, me.”

  “I’m sorry if I ever made you uncomfortable.”

  “You didn’t know you were doing it, and I never told you. Never told anyone, really, which is my own fault. You had to pry it out of me, and then you listened and didn’t judge. That’s rare, so I just want you to know...” She took a deep breath. “I appreciate it.”

  He simply nodded to show her he understood.

  “And if you still want me in your tribe... even if I’m not... you know. Then⁠—”

  “Yes.”

  She glanced at him. “Think hard before you say that. I’m not easy to get rid of.”

  He smiled. “I already have. You’re not just a powerful warrior, but a brave woman and a loyal friend. You’d be an asset to our tribe. I also know Ruby would miss you if she left you behind, and I’d never want either of you to have to leave behind family. So you’d be welcome with us as our protector, our friend, and Ruby’s sister. We’d require nothing more.”

  Sapphire visibly relaxed. “That’s my plan, then. After this is all over, after Princess Victoria is back on the throne and her devil mage of a father is dead, I’ll come live with all of you in your tribe. Our tribe, I guess. We’ll see how things go from there.”

  “I look forward to that day. Now, shall we head inside?”

  Sapphire motioned with one hand. “You go on ahead. I want to take a walk.”

  “Something you need help with?”

  She chuckled softly. “Gods, no. I just walk sometimes. Clears my head.” She lightly thumped his arm, but even that almost sent him stumbling. “Talk soon?”

  He smiled as she turned and clanked away as if embarrassed. “Talk soon.”

  Trent didn’t know the soldiers standing guard at the entrance to Princess Victoria’s building, but they obviously knew him. Both saluted deferentially as he approached, and neither challenged him before he headed down the stairs. Victoria must have left orders.

  Even after months to get used to it, it still felt strange to be saluted by so many soldiers he’d never met. Did those two soldiers now see him as he used to see Captain Kyle? As some mythical warrior who had accomplished legendary deeds for his queen and country?

  Just the thought made Trent feel ridiculous. Yet as he passed the two inner guards, who also saluted, and headed unescorted down the hall into the building to speak to the crown princess, he decided it wasn’t so ridiculous after all.

  He’d saved Victoria. He’d found this monastery. He’d saved the Primal Academy. He’d gathered a powerful tribe, and they’d even stopped a civil war in Clarion together. His patron was a devil mage who sent him visions of the future, and he was also a mage now.

  As he considered all that had changed in his life in the last six months, it really did seem like a tale out of a storybook. Yet he couldn’t let his successes make him think he was invincible. All it would take was one reckless move, and an assassin could fell him like that devil felled Ivy.

  And then the women he loved would be left to mourn his death and avenge him.

  He didn’t know where Princess Victoria was right now, so he paused at the fork between her personal chambers, her map room, and the new room they had converted into a briefing room for the commanders of her growing legion of loyal soldiers.

  “Your Highness? It’s Sir Marston. I’ve returned from Clarion.”

  It felt presumptuous to call out to the princess of Dalry like he might call out to a friend in a tavern, but he didn’t want to wander through her quarters unescorted even if that was allowed. He was relieved when Ruby’s loud, pleased voice answered.

  “We’re in the common room, Master! Vicky has made such wonderful tea!”

  Trent marched forward and down the hall to the common room where Victoria had hosted him, Bethany, and the others many times before. He had no sooner walked inside before the crown princess of Dalry bounded off her chair and rushed over to him.

  Victoria wore a low-cut pink dress that showed off more cleavage than was likely appropriate for a princess at court; but then again, they weren’t at court. With her blonde hair in a tight nest above her head, exposing her lovely neck, she looked gorgeous. He instinctively braced himself as she threw her arms around him like they hadn’t seen each other in years.

  Victoria didn’t hug him as tightly as Ruby, but just having her throw her arms around him with a happy sigh still felt incredibly scandalous... and so wonderful that it made him tingle all over. He could feel every soft curve of her supple body. She didn’t seem to mind at all.

  From where she stood by the couch, Ruby watched them both with a wide and pleased smile. She didn’t look the least bit jealous that a woman outside their tribe was now wrapped tightly around Trent. On the contrary, she had a slightly hungry look in her blue eyes.

  It was the same sort of look Ruby got while she watched him take Bethany from behind, tugging on Bethany’s braid so hard her shoulders tensed, while Ruby masturbated and brought herself to orgasm again and again. Her lips tightened as her cheeks reddened.

  Xorumon’s words from the Firmament drifted through his mind. “So if you still wish to see your realm stable and safe, you must set aside your love for Victoria.”

  Xorumon was right. He shouldn’t allow Victoria to run up and throw her arms around him like this. He should remind her, right now, that for her to greet and hug her first knight in such a familiar manner would cause a huge scandal if anyone saw them.

  Yet given how glad Victoria looked to see him, and the warm blush in her cheeks as she stared up at him with her wide, warm blue eyes, he couldn’t push her away. Perhaps he should ask Bethany to talk to her. Yet that felt cruel and cowardly, not to mention awkward.

  If he was going to ask his princess not to hug him, he would be a man and do it himself.

  Also, he had to remember all Victoria had lost over the past few years. First her mother had died of poison, then her father had tried to kill her, and then she had learned her father had actually made a devil deal and had his soul consumed by a devil mage.

  The crown princess was now alone save for Bethany, who was serving as her lady-in-waiting, and she was lonely. So Trent would let her hug him. They’d discuss boundaries another time, perhaps after they retook Castle Guileford and she was ready to ascend to the throne.

  Until then, he could simply enjoy and return her warm hugs.

  Victoria sighed longingly as she squeezed him once more, then reluctantly stepped away as her expression turned serious. “I heard about Ivy. Please, tell me everything.”

  Ruby spoke up. “Master? Would you like some tea?”

  Victoria glanced at Ruby as if only just remembering she was there, then blushed. “Oh, but let’s sit first! On the couch.” She eyed him hopefully. “If you’d like.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Given Ruby was already occupying one end of the couch, and Princess Victoria was in the middle, Trent’s only choice if he chose the couch would be to sit hip to hip with Victoria. While that was far from an unpleasant idea, he did have to set some boundaries. He doubted Victoria would hop into his lap while Ruby was here to watch over them.

  But he didn’t want to tempt her. That would also be cruel.

  Victoria only looked a tiny bit disappointed when Trent settled into a chair across from her and Ruby. Ruby looked disappointed as well, but cheered up as she snatched a delicate cup and then poured him some tea from an ornate silver teapot. It steamed pleasantly.

  After Trent was settled in a chair opposite them on the couch, with a warm cup of tea brewed by the crown princess of Dalry in his hands, he enjoyed a few calming sips before he focused on his princess once more.

  “Has Ruby told you much about the trip?”

  Victoria settled her teacup in her lap. “She’s told me a few things, but we actually spent most of our time discussing your parents. They arrived in your absence.”

  Trent grinned. “I met Dad in the yard.”

  Victoria giggled. “Oh, that must have been quite the surprise.”

  “I honestly thought I was hallucinating for a moment. Thank you for taking them in, Highness. I don’t⁠—”

  “Vicky.” Her lips quirked.

  “Of course. Vicky. Thank you for taking them in.”

  Ruby sighed happily. “Oh, I can’t wait for supper tonight. I only got to meet with your parents for a little while when we left Kallowhorn. I can’t wait to get to know them properly.”

  Victoria nodded. “They’d be welcome to join us even if they weren’t your family. Marika has already proven extremely useful as a hunter, and your father is a master of leatherworking. I’ve already had several of the local smiths who’ve joined us asking for his help by name.”

  Pride in his parents flooded Trent. “That’s wonderful to hear. Regardless, I’m grateful they’re here and safe, but we do need to talk about how my mother found us.”

  “Yes. You think we’ve grown too predictable?”

  “Given we’ve used the same methods for months now, Dame Sapphire and I agree on that point. If my mother has noticed us gathering people in Hartford who then walk off into the wilderness and disappear, it’s going to attract the wrong sort of attention.”

  “So what would you suggest?”

  “I’d like Dame Sapphire and Captain Crane’s opinions on this as well. But I’d suggest we pick several towns other than Hartford to stage from, and then switch between them every few weeks. We should also double the number of watchers around the portal, and see if we can find a second portal that will also offer access to the monastery.”

  “Won’t that increase the time required to reach us?”

  “Yes, but it will also mean people will be disappearing at multiple locations instead of just the one. That will make it harder to find the portals we’re using. I’m no expert on moving large groups of soldiers, but those would be my uneducated suggestions.”

  “They certainly make sense to me. Thank you. I’ll speak with Dame Sapphire and Captain Crane about seeing them implemented, assuming they have no objections. Now, please. Tell me everything that happened on your trip to Clarion. I want to hear it in your words.”

  Trent took another calming sip of some very delicious tea, then related everything that had happened on his journey to Clarion with his tribe. As he spoke, Victoria listened closely, and Ruby watched him as raptly as if she hadn’t been there at his side every step of the way.

  Trent told Victoria about selling Lachlan’s mechanical bows to the semi-corrupt watch commander in Braedon. He told her about their discovery that Calla, Revca’s younger sister, was posing as a figure called “Scylla’s Daughter” and gathering valkyries who believed her to be divine to her service. He told her about the discovery that Lord Adon was behind it all.

  He told her about rescuing Emerald and stopping a civil war. He told her about the devil assassin that attacked him during the eclipse, and Ivy’s heroism as she protected him with her own body... or the body of her shadow servant. He told her about Kari’s and Lachlan’s thoughts on what had happened to Ivy.

  When he finished, Victoria took a long sip of tea. Her eyes remained distant as she absorbed all he’d told her. He could see her keen mind working through all the ways that the loss of Princess Ivy changed their plans for unseating Tallun and returning her to the throne.

  Ruby leaned close and patted Victoria’s arm. “Trent is going to find Ivy’s soul. He found mine. We’re not going to give up on her.”