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to Greenbriar with a contingent of guard. If I am to travel there, it would leave Winterland vulnerable to attack.”
    “Who from the faerie will you ask to take with you?”
    “I will go.”
    Roarke turned at the sound of a small voice. Trista stood behind him, slowly fluttering her green and gold wings. A spot of color darkened her cheeks.
    “You are volunteering to act as emissary for the faerie?” Garick asked.
    Trista nodded and moved forward. “Aye. “
    “Why?”
    Something was wrong. Trista refused to meet Garick’s eyes. Roarke had never known her to be shy. In fact, she was the boldest of the sisters. “I merely wish to assist you, Garick. And my sister, of course.
    Plus, as we will pass through D’Naath, I will alert our parents to Solara’s disappearance. They will want to know so they can search for her there.”
    “So be it.” Garick stood and whispered to one of the guard, then faced Trista. “Prepare yourself to leave by tomorrow morning.”
    Garick left the hall and Trista made to do so, but something in her manner made him curious. “Trista, before you go I wish to have a word with you.”
    She halted and turned. “Yes, Roarke?”
    “Do you know something of Solara’s disappearance?” Her golden eyes widened and she shook her head, her wings flapping so furiously they created a draft around him. “Oh, no! Nothing at all, I swear it! I wish merely to help you.” Her denial broke too quickly from her lips, making Roarke suspicious of her intent. Trista was the trickster, the devious one, according to stories Noele had told them. Always one to play games, she never took anything too seriously. Surely she wouldn’t think of doing anything to upset the delicate balance of the kingdoms.
    “Make sure your intent is honorable, Trista. There is much at stake here.” She nodded soberly and fluttered up the stairs to the chambers.
    Perhaps he’d misread her. She seemed genuinely concerned for her sister, and yet something in her manner led him to believe she was holding back. Had Solara told her what happened between them? Did Trista harbor some ill will towards him because of what he had done with Solara?

    Ridiculous. He was merely worried for Solara’s safety, much the same as he would be for any inhabitant of Winterland. Delving into Trista’s every action was unwarranted. She knew nothing.
    Roarke sat and contemplated additional areas he could search for Solara. This mystery of her disappearance became more vexing by the minute. She could not have been kidnapped by the wizards.
    Even if they had rendered her unconscious, her powers of telepathy would have reached her sisters. Or perhaps, he hoped, to him.
    Something was not right. He felt responsible for her disappearance. A vague uneasiness had settled within him and refused to let go.
    He had to find her.

    * * * * *
Noele worried her bottom lip and fluttered about her bedchamber, assisting Garick with preparations for his departure to the southern lands. Her worry was insurmountable. She worried for Solara, and for her husband’s and sister’s safety on the long journey to Greenbriar.
    That, and she had a secret that she now could not tell her husband, for fear he would not make the journey and jeopardize the faerie treaty with Greenbriar. A joyful secret that would have to wait.
    “I will miss you, my husband.”
    Garick turned warm gray eyes on her. “And I will miss you, my wife. Who will warm my bed at night?” She heated under his penetrating gaze. “And who will warm mine? ‘Twill be many a cold night until you return.”
    He gathered her into his arms and pulled her close. She laid her head on his broad chest, comforted by the steady beat of his heart. Garick tipped her chin up so she could look at his face. “My love will warm you in my absence. My heart always remains by your side.” She never knew she could experience love such as this. All her trepidation about marrying a man she had not chosen had flown away in a