9. Lira
9
LIRA
“ L ira, no!” Tavish exclaimed as I soared into Father.
Even if I’d wanted to listen to him—which I didn’t—his warning would’ve been too late. My chest and arms slammed into Father’s a few inches before the blade would have made impact, and Father fell to the side. With my right hand, I shoved the sword upward so that it missed Tavish’s leg as Father crashed to the stone floor, with me landing on top of him.
Though he’d been my cushion, the impact hurt. My knees hit the stone, causing a throbbing that I would feel later when the adrenaline wore off. But that was the least of my worries.
Finnian laughed. “I love how she makes an entrance wherever she goes.”
Chains clanged together as Tavish tried to get to me, and my heart leaped as my wings lifted me from my father and toward him.
I buried myself in his chest. His arms wrapped around me, but his head remained lifted. The jolt of our connection sprang to life, and tears that I didn’t want to release burned my eyes.
Silence descended, and a large hand grabbed my arm, yanking me from Tavish.
“You foolish girl!” Father shouted, digging his fingers into my arm. “Get away from the wildling right this second.”
Tavish dropped his arms and hurt panged in my chest.
He connected, I don’t want you to get hurt, and he doesn’t see things rationally. Believe me, the last blasted thing I want to do is release you. Being apart from you has been pure agony.
Father spun me around, his face flushed with the gold of our blood.
Tavish’s rage flowed into me, mixing with mine, but our connection also clenched with his concern for my well-being.
“Have you forgotten everything you’ve ever known?” Father spat and dropped his hand like he couldn’t handle touching me any longer. “He’s Unseelie, and you’re betrothed. Do you know what the dragons would say if they learned of your blasphemous intentions?”
I straightened my back, standing between the two of them. Mother stepped behind Father, shaking her head at me, telling me to stop and stand down. Both of them conveniently acted like they were my parents again.
But that was the thing.
They didn’t get to give me up for twelve years and expect me to come back and fall into the same dynamics. I wasn’t ten anymore, and frankly, they’d lost that privilege when they forced me to live on Earth even though I’d begged them not to make me.
“There is nothing blasphemous going on here. He’s my fated mate, and I will protect him with my life if that’s what it takes.”
The four guards who remained in the room gasped as the warmth of Tavish’s love and the cold tendrils of his fear clashed inside our connection.
“Don’t listen to her ramblings.” Father glared over his shoulder at them. “She was taken, and there’s no telling what the Unseelie did to her. She’s not of sound mind and needs time to reacclimate.”
I hated that my attention darted over his shoulder to the guards. Unlike the Unseelie, who wore dark armor, the Seelie soldiers wore golden armor with intricate designs. Three of the guards were men, and one was a woman who was lithe and as tall as the other three.
“She doesn’t know what she speaks of, and her manners and loyalties to our people were forgotten during her time on Earth .” He spoke the last word as if it were a curse. “She will remember her place. She just needs time.” He took two steps toward me, using his half-foot height advantage to bring home the lingering threat in his voice as he wrinkled his nose at me.
“If you harm her, I will ensure that you experience the same pain you bestow upon her,” Tavish vowed in a low growl. “Father or not, you don’t get to touch my mate with reckless intentions or insult her. The wrongs you’ve committed against the ones I love continue to add up.”
Father placed a hand on my shoulder and shoved me out of the way. His strength caught me off guard, and I flew into the stone wall, injuring my shoulder.
Eiric rushed into the room and helped me to my feet as Father placed the tip of his sword to Tavish’s neck.
A scream lodged in my throat as cool, refreshing magic swirled inside me. I’d begun to push it toward Father to force him back when Dad stepped up beside him and said, “Your Majesty, think about the consequences of killing him. The unbalance will be catastrophic.”
Arm shaking, Father exhaled and lowered his sword.
I yanked back the magic, not wanting him to know that I’d planned to use it against him. I’d do whatever it took to save Tavish because I refused to live without him.
Dark skin glistening under the lantern lights, Dad turned his gaze on Tavish. “Release Lira from the illusions you placed on her. If you care for her at all, give her that.”
“Believe me, when this all began, Tavish wished the bond was an illusion he’d cast on her.” Finnian nodded his head in Tavish’s direction and then mine. “But what they have is real. I know it’s hard to fathom, but they are fated mates.”
Mom shook her head, causing her curls to hit her shoulder. “The same illusion could be placed on you. Your statement holds no merit.”
“Then listen to my words.” Tavish’s stormy irises darkened as he held my father’s gaze. “Lira is my fated mate. I would die for her the same way she proclaimed she would die for me. Our souls merged into one. I love her and will have her as my wife forever .”
My heart raced at his proclamation. We’d never discussed marriage, but his words made perfect sense. It wasn’t even a question.
“It isn’t an illusion. Do what you must to prove that, but let me be clear.” I clenched my hands at my sides. “If Tavish or Finnian is harmed, I won’t forgive you.” That decision would have me allying with the Unseelie in every way because Father would have declared war on me.
“As if I care about that.” Father’s nostrils flared, and his head snapped toward me. “Your forgiveness isn’t something I need or desire. I am your king, and you will abide by what I say since it is law . Now go to your room and don’t come out until you remember your duties and who you are.”
My blood boiled, and I wanted to lash out. Ignoring the way my chest heaved, I refused to budge from my spot. “I’m not a child.”
“Then stop resembling one,” he snapped.
“She fears you’ll hurt them.” Mother spoke slowly and placed a hand on his shoulder. “If you give her the reassurance she needs, I’m certain she will happily oblige.”
“We are the rulers, not her. She doesn’t get to dictate the terms.” Father lifted a hand. “Take Lira to her room and ensure she remains there.”
As all four guards headed toward me, I shook my head and widened my stance, preparing to fight if needed. “This is wrong. Tavish hasn’t done anything to you or the Seelie. Just like your decision right now goes against what I believe in, and that shouldn’t be a reflection of me and what I stand for.”
Go with them, Tavish connected. Don’t put up a fight.
What? No! I tore my gaze from them to him. I can’t leave you like this.
Father’s wings spread out, and he glared at me in a way he’d never done before, not even when I was an insolent child. “It’s in your best interests to remain silent from this point forward.”
Listen, Lira. I don’t want you to leave either, but we don’t need them watching you. Tavish’s eyes lightened to the light-silver shade he showed when we were alone. Because we are getting out of here, and I need you to pretend to be the good, obliging daughter until then. Do you understand? His face blanched, and he shared the strength of his determination through our bond. I came for you, and we’ll leave here together. Trust me on this. We need to work together to get out.
When the guards reached me, I exhaled.
Eiric stood as tense as a statue at my side.
I shook out my hands, ignoring the way my shoulder panged with discomfort from the wall’s greeting. Then I took a step back and lifted my hands as they reached to grab me.
“I’ll go back to my room of my own accord.” I shuffled a few steps back, though the yanking in my chest tugged me toward Tavish.
Sprite, I swear to you that he won’t kill me. If he was going to, he would’ve done it moments ago. He needs me alive so that our magic remains in balance. Seelie can’t continue without Unseelie, and vice versa. It’s the way of our realm.
He was right. That had been their intention in bringing the injured Tavish here as a boy. Though, when I’d found him all those years ago, they hadn’t mended him yet. They’d planned on someone tending to his wounds. They’d merely wanted him to remain as weak as possible so he couldn’t use his newfound power from his parents against them. And with the injuries he’d sustained, they hadn’t been able to place him in chains to lock his magic. I’d learned all that after Eldrin had rescued Tavish from the holding cell.
I turned to head out the doorway as Eiric’s brows rose. Instead of speaking, she followed my lead and soon we were flying down the hallway back toward my room.
The guards stayed on our wings, and the hair on the nape of my neck stood on end from their attention.
Every flap I took away from Tavish made my heart clench more, and my entire being wanted to turn around and race back to him. My mate was captured and in danger, and leaving him behind was the last thing I should be doing.
The Seelie king is just threatening me, Tavish connected. I feel your struggle, and I swear to you, I’ll be fine.
But this isn’t right— My words cut off as the connection between us cooled, and my chest almost went back to the normal temperature it’d been before we completed our fated-mate connection. I froze midflap. Tavish?
Eiric stopped a little in front of me, realizing I wasn’t beside her.
I’m here, love, he replied, but the connection still felt strange.
“Why are you stopping?” the tallest guard rasped. “That isn’t what King Erdan ordered.”
I bit the inside of my cheek, needing a distraction from the terror knotted in my stomach. My desperation to be with Tavish was damn near overwhelming, yet I couldn’t do a damn thing because of my biological parents.
I wished they hadn’t discovered that I’d returned so that Tavish and I could be together, hunting down the real threat—Eldrin.
I thought you were dead. Our connection cooled. I needed to hear his voice again so I could make sure that those last words hadn’t been a figment of my imagination.
A moment passed, and just as I was about to turn around and rush back to him, he answered, They put chains on our wings, and now my magic is restrained. I feared we wouldn’t be able to speak like this anymore, but I’m blasting glad we can.
The memory of those chains and their effects popped into my head. Having my wings restrained had felt claustrophobic. I could only imagine how he and Finnian were struggling.
I hadn’t noticed that we were already back at my bedroom door. I pushed the double doors open, wanting the guards to leave me alone. Hot rage burned inside me, and I wouldn’t be able to hide it much longer.
The four guards stood at my door, glancing at each other.
“I came back to my room like a good little girl.” I crossed my arms, letting sarcasm drip from each word. “Is that all?”
The woman guard smirked. “You three, head back. I’ll keep watch on Lira a little while longer.” Her auburn hair reminded me of embers sparking, contrasting with the pink walls. As she stepped into my room and stood closer to me, I noticed that her eyes resembled flames in the dark of night.
“Should one of us remain with you, Sorcha?” the shorter man with cobalt hair asked.
“We’ll be fine.” She nodded at the door. “I’ll alert someone if anything goes awry. Go back to the king and queen to ensure nothing happens with the Unseelie. Their presence here will affect the veil eventually.”
The three of them nodded and left, and I made my way to my bed and sat, folding my wings and crossing my legs like I had all the time in the world. In fairness, as an immortal, I kind of did.
Eiric cleared her throat. “She returned here as requested.”
“Which alarms me.” Sorcha tilted her head, examining me. “How could you protect an Unseelie? Especially the king? If I were you, I’d want to kill him myself rather than remain fated to him.”
My last bit of restraint was damn close to snapping. I wanted to grab the bitch’s hair and yank.
Lira, what’s wrong? Tavish connected.
A guard is telling me that if you were her fated, she’d kill you. My breathing quickened as the anger took over.
It’s a test, he replied. She wants you to react. Stay strong and don’t fall for it.
Shit. He was right. Even though I didn’t feel completely fae, I had to remember how things were here. Fae played with words and tested each other’s intent. “Well, I’m not you. However, I understand that Father needs to be in control, so I will behave.” Until we had an escape plan.
She lifted a brow. “That’s good to hear, but I find it hard to believe after what we saw in the holding cell.”
“I don’t remember asking for your opinion, nor am I obligated to explain myself to you.” Even though this was going against what Tavish had asked of me, I would never gain respect if I didn’t stand my ground. “Even though I’ve been on Earth for the past twelve years, I’m still a princess and will not tolerate your disrespect.”
Her shoulders relaxed as if I had passed the first set of tests. “Very well. Please alert me if you need anything.”
“We will.” Eiric leaned against the wall in the corner of the room.
Sorcha bowed her head slightly to me before stepping into the hall and shutting the doors behind her.
As soon as the door clicked, Eiric fluttered over to the spot next to me. She leaned back and asked, “What was the sudden change of mood back there? You were all gung ho about not leaving him, and now we’re just going to chill in your room while they do whatever they want?”
I had to choose my words carefully. The last thing I wanted was to get Eiric involved in my escape plan. However, I couldn’t stay here, Seelie or not, with Father and Mother more than willing to hand me over to the dragon prince. “Insisting on staying would have made things worse for Tavish and Finnian. I didn’t realize it at first.” My voice had thickened, and I paused, trying to hold myself together. “So I walked away to make the king feel as if I was obliging his command, hoping to eliminate some of his wrath.”
Pain shot through the connection, stealing my breath. It wasn’t the worst pain I’d ever felt, but they were hurting Tavish.
A lump lodged in my throat. What’s going on?
Nothing I can’t handle, he replied. Stay in your room, please. Don’t come here, or neither of us will get free.
Tears rolled down my cheeks, and I took a shaky breath.
“What’s wrong?” Eiric asked, taking my hand in hers. “You’re suddenly crying.”
Another jolt of pain had a sob breaking from my chest. “They’re hurting him.”
“What?” She glanced around the room. “How could you know that?”
I gripped my chest. “I feel his pain. It’s coming through our fated-mate bond.”
“That’s both fucking cool and terrifying.” Eiric wrapped her arms around me. “But I’m sorry. You heard Dad—they won’t kill him.”
As if that made it better. I didn’t want him to feel any sort of pain. I’m sorry. I didn’t care if I shouldn’t say those words to Tavish. He was hurting because of my father, even though the king knew what Tavish was to me. What sort of parent could hurt their child in such a way?
You tried to protect me, sprite, he replied as another jabbing pain shot between us. That means more to me than you’ll ever know. I love you. Nothing will ever change that.
I buried my face in Eiric’s shoulder, holding on to the one person from this kingdom who seemed to be on my side. I love you too, thorn.
Our bond warmed from the love he felt despite the agony still coursing through me.
I wasn’t sure how long it lasted, but eventually, fresh pain stopped flashing through our bond. Tavish?
I’m okay. I just need sleep, he replied, and the bond cooled further, but the part in my chest that had the warm magic flared to life.
It had to be due to the lack of warmth from Tavish.
I lifted my head and Eiric frowned. She wiped a tear from my face and asked, “What can I do? I don’t know how to fix this.”
“You did the only thing you could, and I love you for it.” I squeezed her hand, unsure what I would’ve done if she hadn’t been here. She’d been my protector all my life, and now it made sense since she was the child of the Seelies’ two strongest guards.
She pressed her lips together. “You know I’ll always be here for you and on your side.”
“And the same goes for me too.” I bumped her shoulder to lighten the moment. I didn’t want to worry her, or she’d watch me more closely. I needed to play a part with her from this moment forward and not involve her in our plan. In order for my plan to work, I had to ensure that she remained unaware and innocent so she didn’t get accused of anything.
Someone banged on the door, and my stomach dropped. I reached up, wiping the tears from my face, needing a moment before letting them in.
The doors opened, revealing Father’s towering frame.
His gaze landed on my face. The warmth in his eyes was still gone as he stalked into my room.
“I need to speak to my daughter alone,” he commanded, not bothering to acknowledge Eiric’s presence beyond that comment.
She hesitated, unsure whether she should go, and Father’s calm demeanor snapped.