Siana and Naerin shared a look and left, leaving Rana to berate her tree in peace. They made it as far as the verge where Naerin stopped to do something to the barrier that surrounded Winter Haven. There was nothing there as far as Siana could see, not even the smoke-like magic that was usually present when Naerin was working. When he straightened, he offered her a hand and a gentle smile.

“I didn’t see anything,” she reached back for his hand. “Why wasn’t there smoke ...