"In the name of the Queen, give me the feather."

My insides were glitter, the world a dreamy haze, and the mysteries of the universe mine to unravel.

"Ash," Priya squeaked.

Her anguish penetrated my euphoria. Slightly. "The feather. Yes."

I pried my fingers off it, but in the seconds it took Moran to release her and move close enough to take the feather, I pulled the magic out of it in a black smudge. Red forked branches pinned it and the white clusters ...