Asher's fierce loyalty was a thing to study. The moment Lila explained the spell, he stepped forward without blinking.
"Do it on me first," he said. "If I'm fine after breakfast with the queen, the others can take it."
Violet opened her mouth to argue, but he cut her a look that said this wasn't up for debate. She closed it again, squeezing his hand instead. He squeezed back with assurance.
To be honest, Asher expected they would invite some priest and that it involved some ritual, you know, witch style.
Instead, Lila only moved closer, "Hold still," she said.
Then she breathed a string of soft, old words against his skin. A small prickle ran under Asher's flesh, as if a veil brushed him from crown to heel. The hairs on his arms stood on edge, then settled. Just like that, the tingling faded like the after-spark of a touch.
"That's it?" he asked, stunned. He had been looking forward to a little pain.
