We planned to renovate the inside to suit our needs, but keep the outside in its dilapidated state. The horses would stay in a camouflaged structure in the forest nearby.

On the first night, Valek and I arranged our bedrolls and blankets in the largest bedroom on the second floor. We added coal to the small brazier, coaxing a little more heat. Most of the others stretched out by the fire around the central hearth downstairs, but we hadn’t had any privacy in forever. Or so it seemed.

Even with so much to discuss, we spent the first couple hours getting reacquainted.

Finally, with our hearts beating in sync and our bodies pressed together skin on skin, we shared the events that had changed both our lives so drastically.

Valek explained about the Storm Thieves and discovering his new siblings. The epiphany by Vincent’s grave.

“I had no idea letting go would have such...consequences,” he said. “A huge weight lifted off my shoulders, but it took my immunity with it.”

“I was right. You attached a null shield to your soul when you witnessed your older brothers’ murders. Once you didn’t need that protection, it returned to the sky.”

“Rotten timing,” he murmured.

“I wouldn’t say that. Nor would Leif or Mara.”

“I lost control and almost killed us.”

“But you didn’t. Next time—”

“There’s not going to be a next time.” He sounded like a sullen child.

“Yes, there will be. We need every advantage we can get. Leif and Zethan can teach you how to control it.”

“I don’t have to like it.”

Amused by his tone, I said, “Look at the bright side. You reconnected with your parents and gained three new siblings.”

“And you gained a mother-in-law.”

Oh. Right.

“Not so amusing now, is it? I even promised her to bring you for a visit.”

“Fighting Bruns’s Cartel doesn’t seem that bad now,” I joked.

“Ha.”

The silence stretched as I considered how much Valek’s world had been turned upside down in the past two months. The Commander’s mistrust, our marriage, the baby, his family, his lost immunity and the discovery of his magic. No wonder Bruns’s men had been able to capture him at Mara’s. Anyone else would have been unhinged by just one of those incidents.

“Your turn, love,” Valek said. “Why does your touch block my magic? Not that I’m complaining. In fact, I love your touch even more now.”

I told him my theory about the baby being a void. “But after my experience with Loris’s magic and Teegan’s comment, I’m not so sure anymore.”

“Something drained the magic when we were connected,” Valek said. “Is that what Teegan meant?”

“I think so. But if that was the case, then what did the baby do with the magic? I didn’t regain my powers. Nothing happened. I don’t think so, anyway.”

“But this blocking power has grown stronger, right?”

“Yes.”

“Perhaps the baby is channeling the power back into the blanket?”

“Perhaps.”

“I guess time will tell if the baby’s responsible for your lost magic, love. In the meantime, you can neutralize a magician with a touch. That may come in handy over the next couple months.”

“As long as it doesn’t hurt our baby.”

“Of course.” Valek rested his hand on my stomach. “That’s what the upcoming battle is all about. Protecting our baby, giving him or her a chance for a peaceful life.”

“No, it isn’t.”

“No?”

“It’s about giving all the babies and all the people a chance for a peaceful life.”

“You know that’s impossible.”

“I know, but wouldn’t it be nice?” I asked.

“It’d be worth dying for.”