Women in the small kingdom of Aeriana are disappearing.
Iris Daniels, a budding painter in the East Territory, is trying to keep her head down. In a kingdom filled with abilities, music, and Destined love, Iris is determined to build a career out of...
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"Agent Traey has not reported in."
—a text to Reese Garrick, Redlian, Second Palace
"I'm not telling her, you tell her."
Wylan pinched the bridge of his nose. "I can't believe you're going to make me do it."
"You're the one who went on a rampage earlier," Thad said. "You have some making up to do."
"To her, not to you. You just want me to dig myself deeper into a hole."
"She's not evil," Thad pointed out. "Our little flower is friendly."
Wylan rolled his eyes. "She's the princess, not—"
"What are you two talking about?" Iris appeared on the last step of the stairs, her bag around her shoulders, and frowned at the two of them in the living room.
Wylan shot a glare at Thad and checked his watch again. They had seven minutes until they had to leave. It would take them twenty-four minutes to get to the airport, and they needed enough time to go through check in and security.
"Tell her, Wy," Thad adjusted the strap of his own bag.
Wylan grunted at his partner. He held a dark beanie out to Iris. "As cool as the purple hair is, it's also very distinctive."
Iris took the hat, frowned down at it, and then put it on her head, tucking her pass of purple curls underneath it.
Wylan's lungs felt as if they'd expanded. She immediately knew.
"I don't have any dye," she said.
Thad's mouth had dropped open.
When Iris nonchalantly tucked her hair away, Wylan had to beat down the urge to laugh right in his partner's face. "It would take too long, anyway. Once we land, we can work on it. Until then, I'll need you to keep it under the hat as much as possible."
She nodded. Then, "When this is all over, I'm going a deep purple, just out of spite."
The corner of Wylan's mouth tilted up. "As you should."
Thad blinked a few times, then shook his head. "My little flower, you're always surprising me."
Wylan caught the end of Iris' own eye roll. Instead of saying anything, she looked at Wylan. "What's our game plan?"
"We're loading up in the car in the garage," Wylan said. "I'll drive, and you and Thad will be in the back seat. I'm going to have you lie down for the trip over."
