Frozen Tides (Falling Kingdoms 4)

But . . . how? Jonas might be a converted believer in Mytican magic, but he hadn’t thought a witch could be capable of a miracle this perfect.

Bruno was the one who’d said a witch couldn’t heal an injury this bad. But perhaps the old man had just never met one who could.

Lysandra grabbed him and hugged him tight. “I thought I was going to lose you. Don’t scare me like that again, got it?”

“I got it,” he whispered into her hair.

Olivia returned, wiping her hands on a towel. “All better?”

Lysandra rushed to Olivia and placed her hands on her shoulders. “To think, only a little while ago I didn’t believe a word about witches or magic, and here you are . . . and you’ve done even more than I ever could have wished for. Thank you. Thank you so much!” Then Lysandra pulled the girl into a tight hug.

Olivia’s brows raised with surprise and she awkwardly patted Lys’s back. “I’m grateful I was able to help in time.”

Despite his previous misgivings, the witch had more than proven herself to him. “My deepest gratitude to you, Olivia,” Jonas said. “I owe you my life.”

She gently pushed Lysandra away from her. “Yes, I suppose you do.”

He waited for her to name her price, probably some outrageous request that he’d never be able to grant. “And . . . ?” he prompted.

Olivia cocked her head. “And . . . I must be on my way now. Farewell.”

She turned toward the door.

“Wait!” Jonas said. “Where are you off to? Got some other random strangers to heal around town?”

“Perhaps,” she allowed.

The girl was a true mystery. But, really, all Jonas needed to know about her was that she could work real magic.

“Come with us,” he said.

She frowned. “Where?”

“The Limerian palace.”

Olivia crossed her arms and studied him for a long, silent moment. “Jonas Agallon, a failed rebel leader whose life purpose is to destroy King Gaius and bring peace and freedom to Mytica again, wants me to join him in a journey to the Limerian palace.”

“Actually, I’m going to start by destroying his son. And, yes, I do want you to join us. Lys, what do you think?”

Lysandra met his gaze. “You’re right, we need her.”

“Am I to become your newest rebel recruit?” Olivia asked.

“You did just save my life, knowing who I am,” Jonas reasoned. “And knowing my goal.”

“And you’d like me around to save it again, if need be,” Olivia said.

“I won’t deny that that would be a large perk. I know there’s not much in it for you, but if I’m successful . . . if I can pull this off . . .” He shook his head. “Everything will be better in Mytica, for everyone who calls this place home.”

Olivia turned, as if to leave, but then paused. “Fine. I will agree to accompany you on this fateful journey.”

“Good,” he said, a grin breaking out on his face. “Then let’s be on our way.”

CHAPTER 10

FELIX

KRAESHIA