24. Killian
Ishouldn’t have left Briar alone.
Despite my words, I did care that people were dying. Alistair’s foolish arrogance cost a lot of people their lives today. The king isn’t blameless; he insisted upon holding this tournament too.
She’ll be safe where I left her. Alistair can’t handle a flock of harpies even with the backing of the royal guards.
Arriving upon the once-peaceful scene, I find two of those monstrous birds tearing at the entrails of a fallen royal guard, their beaks coated red.
My scar aches beneath my sleeve. I put too much strain on it while carrying Briar. Or…it feels different from other wounds. Almost like it’s reacting to the presence of the monsters that scored my flesh.
Eating into me. That harpy marked me. I’ll never forget its beady eye fastened on me as it attacked.
I shove the disturbing thought aside. I’ll figure out what’s happening to me once the danger has passed.
Alistair draws back and sends an arrow straight into one bird’s breast as it dives toward an earl’s young daughter. Feathers fly. He hits it again, and the thing tumbles out of the sky, landing a in a heap a few feet away from the terrified girl. A woman scoops the child up and starts running across the field dotted with bodies.
“Nice work.” I slap the prince on the shoulder and run after the woman, anticipating the harpy that lands in front of them. The lady pulls up short, pushing the girl behind her, but it’s no use. They’re trapped when a second bird lands and they both begin stalking their prey, wings upraised to prevent them from running.
These are not ordinary birds. They are fae and ferocious. Their feathers show a pattern that from a distance looks like a woman’s tits. The wings and tails are an oily gray and black.
I shout and run forward, slicing the head off one raptor as it menaces the girl. Damn thing never saw me coming; it was so intently focused on its prey.
I throw myself between the second bird. Its beady gaze holds mine. I raise my sword…
But I can’t do it. A strange whisper echoes in my mind, vague and indistinct.
It’s looking for something. It wants her. Briar. Feeding is good too, but there’s easier prey to be had. The flock came here looking for?—
Mid-thought, I’m hit by a warm body and crushed to the ground, losing my grip on the sword. The bird’s vicious beak snaps where I was just standing. Alistair kicks its head with his boot, then rolls up, grabbing my sword and slashing its breast. The thing hops backward, glaring. A nonfatal hit. It turns and takes wing. Wind gusts my face as I get up.
“What was that, Kill?” Alistair breathes hard. “What the absolute fuck happened just now?”
I have no answer for him. I don’t know.
“That thing was in my head.”
I rub my aching forearm. Alistair looks at it, then at my face. The girl and the lady are long gone, having run off while I was having a tete-a-tete with a harpy.
“Because of your arm?” he asks.
“Dunno.” Something is wrong. Can’t explain it. Can’t find the right words, even if I wanted to, which I don’t.
“Where’s Briar?” Alistair demands.
Alarm races through me like wildfire. I left her alone. What if there are other monsters? Why are they all coming here, all of a sudden? Belterre castle has never been directly attacked before. Not since before the fae wars.
“Safe,” I tell him, hoping it’s true.
Satisfied, he swipes a sleeve across his damp brow and says grimly, “They’ll never doubt my worth again. Not after today.”
As disgusted as I am by his self-absorption, he saved my life just now. I owe him. He’s been desperate for acknowledgment of his prowess in battle for years. Leaning on me was a shitty way to get it, but I cannot blame him for taking pride in an actual accomplishment.
“You fought well.” I clap him on the shoulder. “You’re a brave prince.”
I can’t lie and tell him he’s a good one, but at least he’s not a coward. A smile ghosts over Alistair’s lips. For a moment, it feels like we’re friends again.
“You’d better see to your people.”
Alistair scans the death field and nods grimly, reminded of his slaughtered wedding guests. “Right. That’s going to be a mess.” He turns his back on me. “I’ll finish this. Go and fetch my bride.”
Just like that, I hate him all over again.
Briar isn’t where I left her.
Fuck.
“Briar!”
No response. Panic explodes in my chest.
No.
Can’t be.
“Briar!”
She has to be here. She can’t be gone. She can’t. I need her too much. The entire kingdom needs her. She is the key to these monsters. I’m not sure how or why, but they’re drawn to her. She is the reason they’re flocking here now.
Briar
I break eye contact with the dragon and slip off the rock, my heart hammering. Dragons don’t venture into royal hunting grounds a half-hour ride from Belterre castle. They live in deep caves and high on mountaintops.
Dragons do not lurk in well-maintained royal hunting grounds in broad daylight, as a rule.
That soporific history book I was reading last night said so.
Apparently, you can’t believe everything you read in books.
If Killian doesn’t return immediately, I am going to die.
Fear floods my senses, overwhelming my ability to think straight. I’m a little girl again, lying in bed and trying to hide from the monsters I’m convinced lurk beneath it.
What did I do back then?
I gathered my courage, threw back the covers, and ran to my parents.
I have no parents anymore, but I have Killian. If I can signal to him without drawing the dragon’s attention…If I can’t do that, then I can hide.
It requires every ounce of my strength to force myself into movement.
Sipping air, I edge around the back of the rocky outcropping. The enormous creature’s intelligent, unblinking eyes follow me. I keep my gaze fastened on the ground but I observe the monster from the edge of my vision as I creep away. Rocks at my back. Monster at my front.
Killian, where are you?
My voice sticks in my throat. Can’t speak. Struck silent.
I’d even welcome Alistair’s rescue at this point. I don’t want to die. My entire life has been co-opted by others. I want a chance to live freely.
If I get out of this, I will never let anyone else make decisions about my life again. If it means I’m poor, I’ll find a way to get by. If it means I’m alone, then I’ll find a way to protect myself. I am through with acquiescing.
I’m so tired of sleepwalking toward my fate. I’m desperate to wake up, but it’s going to take more than seducing Killian in secret.
Away from the dragon, I slowly flutter my eyes open. The rock is cool and rough against my back. I exhale in relief. I can wait here until Killian returns.
A crunching twig sends my pulse soaring.
Not safe yet.
On instinct, I twist and claw my way up the sloping side of the outcropping. My nails tear to the quick but I ignore the pain and climb with trembling desperation, slipping off my shoes to seek purchase with my toes. Don’t make noise.
Stupid dress. I hate the way it rustles and impedes my ability to pull myself up the outcropping.
Somehow, I clamber my way to the top and lay flat on my stomach, breathing, for a long time. My own beating heart is all I can hear. No crunching twigs. No birdsong.
Nothing but a light breeze shaking the leaves of the trees all around me.
Nearby, Killian bellows my name. I push myself up, inch by inch, rolling onto one hip and scanning the clearing. Nothing. I have to warn him before his shouting attracts the dragon. Sitting upright, I scan the place where it was a few minutes before and exhale for the first time since I locked eyes with the monster.
Gone. I did it. I got away all by myself. I’m safe. A hint of pride swells near my heart. I’m not helpless. I can fend for myself.
I push up to stand. I don’t dare yell down at him. Turning to examine the steep downslope and try to figure out how to get back down, I inhale sharply?—
And scream.