21. Tavish
21
TAVISH
F ear strangled me, waking me from the most comforting sleep I’d had in days. My skin was still jolting from having Lira’s body next to mine, and I felt completely satiated from making love and then holding her all night long despite feeling slightly sluggish from my time in imprisonment. Yet, my magic flowed at full strength inside me, thanks to being back in the lands that held the essence of Unseelie power.
The mattress shifted, informing me that Lira had gotten up from the bed, and then the words she’d spoken through our mind-melding in the haze of slumber replayed in my head.
I sat up and watched her hurry to the closet, completely naked, and need tightened in my stomach and made my dick harden again.
I swear, if Finnian harms her, I’ll cut off one of his testicles, she connected, disappearing into the closet for all of one second to come out with a gray tunic and leather pants for me and a snow-white gown for herself.
She had dark circles under her gorgeous blue eyes—proof that sharing her magic with me was impacting her—but she stood steadily on her feet, whereas she hadn’t the night before.
Right. Finnian and Eiric were fighting. We needed to stop that, but all I wanted to do was admire my mate’s body. However, I knew better. Even though Lira was threatening Finnian, she’d be equally upset if Eiric harmed him. She cared about both of them dearly, which meant breaking up the fight was as much a priority for me as for her.
I couldn’t tolerate her being hurt again.
Snagging my pants, I threw the covers off and slid the material on. Not bothering with the shirt, I flew across the room, unlocked the door, and barreled toward the main room.
Lira followed close behind me, the tips of my wings brushing her body a few times. The intimate sensation made me struggle to keep my mind on the task, but I managed.
We turned the corner as Eiric swung her sword at Finnian, who blocked the attack at the last second.
He grinned. “Good. Your eyes didn’t telegraph your attack.”
When I realized they weren’t actually trying to slice the scales from each other’s wings, the tension drained from my body. I dropped to my feet behind a couch, and Lira landed beside me.
Her concern morphed into frustration as her face turned a faint golden hue. “What the hell ?”
Finnian and Eiric lowered their swords and turned to us. He rubbed a hand over his new beard and asked, “I don’t understand. What is this ‘hell,’ and what does it have to do with us?”
“I thought you’d be happy that we were training together.” Eiric sheathed her sword and placed her hands on her hips. “Why are you upset?”
“So hell means she’s upset…” Finnian nodded. “That’s a strange saying.”
Even though I agreed, I was more concerned with her being upset than with Earth’s vocabulary. I wanted to smack Finnian since he wasn’t focused on what mattered. I opened my mouth to defend Eiric, but I didn’t have to.
“I’m glad you two are amicable enough to train with each other, but a heads-up would have been nice.” Lira lifted her chin, staring down the woman she’d claimed as a sister. “Instead, I’m woken by the sound of you almost being beheaded. I thought you two were actually fighting.”
“I didn’t want to risk knocking on your door and hearing you and the Unseelie fiend fucking, or waking you up if you were actually sleeping.” Eiric shivered. “I was being considerate.”
Lira’s anger vanished, and relief lightened our connection. “I know. After the way last night ended, I just got freaked out when I heard you almost got injured. If something happened to either of you…” She trailed off.
I placed an arm around her shoulders and pulled her to my side, our wings touching. I didn’t understand how Lira could be that angry and then calm down so fast. She’d never been that way with me. I needed to learn Eiric’s trick for managing that.
“We woke up an hour ago and had some bread and sunbursts. We came to an understanding. One that will allow us to work together more easily.” Eiric strolled to the table and drank from a glass of water.
Now I couldn’t deny being intrigued. “And what exactly is this agreement?”
Finnian beamed. “I won’t kill another Seelie unless there’s absolutely no other way, and she’ll be cordial to the Unseelie when we arrive back at the castle and remember she can’t go around killing our people either.”
Hands dropping from her waist, Eiric scowled. “Damn nightfiends.”
“It was eye-opening when she put herself in our wings and thought about arriving in a kingdom full of Unseelie who will want to kill her.” Finnian bumped his shoulder into Eiric’s. “She hadn’t thought that far ahead, especially with her wearing a guard’s uniform.”
He was right. I’d been so consumed with Lira and her well-being that I hadn’t thought about what might happen to Eiric once we returned to my people.
“There should be an outfit here she can change into.” Lira nibbled on her bottom lip, burrowing deeper against my side. “God, I hate that you got yourself into this situation. They’ll know you’re Seelie. You should’ve stayed at Gleann Solas and pretended not to know anything.”
Eiric’s face softened, and she came toward us.
I tensed. A Seelie being this close to me had the hair rising on the nape of my neck. My gut reaction was to yank Lira and myself back, but I fought the instinct for her .
“What did we promise each other?” Eiric arched a brow as she took Lira’s hands in hers.
The tingles of affection shot through our connection, warming my naturally icy chest more than normal.
“That was on Earth.” Lira smiled tenderly, moving from my side closer to her. “You aren’t bound by it here.”
Eiric rocked back on her heels. “It might as well have been made here because I always keep my promises, even those not bound by Ardanos and Seelie magic.”
“Oh… what was this vow?” Finnian shuffled forward, expanding his wings in excitement.
The urge to punch him nearly overwhelmed me.
“That we would stand beside each other, no matter what.” Lira mashed her lips together. “But I didn’t expect you to go rogue against the king and queen on my behalf.”
“Whether I like it or not, you chose to complete the mate bond with an Unseelie, and you swear he makes you happy.” Eiric winked and shrugged. “So I didn’t really have a choice. Besides, you’re a pain in the ass to keep in line, so I figure Tavish will need help keeping you out of trouble.”
I laughed, and Lira cut her eyes at me. Somehow, that made me smile even wider. “She’s not wrong.”
“That’s one of Lira’s best attributes, in my humble opinion.” Finnian clasped his hands, holding them toward Lira. “She finds trouble where there shouldn’t be any. She even tamed a cù-sìth, which has never been done before.”
Lira tried to frown, but the corners of her lips tipped upward. “I don’t like the three of you teaming up against me. Maybe I want you fighting each other again.”
“No, you don’t.” Eiric snorted, pulling her into a hug. “The three of us know better than that.”
I could feel the happiness wafting from Lira, and the last thing I wanted to do was ruin that moment, though several threats were hovering over us. We needed to return to—
My thoughts cut off because, after returning here to the real Cuil Dorcha, I couldn’t call the ruined dragon lands by that name anymore.
Some of the joy ebbed, and Lira pulled away from Eiric. I had no doubt she felt the guilt of what came next weighing me down. Even though I cherished our fated-mate connection, sometimes I wished I could protect her from my feelings so they didn’t spoil her happiness.
“Let’s eat some breakfast and then find something for Eiric to wear that doesn’t scream Seelie guard .” Lira ran a hand over the stomach of her gown. “We should probably head back to Cuil Dorcha before the dragons join my father in retrieving me.”
My stomach soured as if I’d eaten rotten fish. Even though she spoke the truth, I hadn’t determined a way to keep her safe. I couldn’t abandon my people, but Lira remaining there with me wasn’t an effective strategy either. The only solution I could see was to kill the dragon prince, thus ending the demented agreement their parents had arranged between them.
“How does one’s outfit scream?” Finnian lifted his hands. “This conversation has yielded so many questions about hell, God, and why someone would want to look upward when two people are getting along when they haven’t been. The Earth language is quite fascinating—it sounds so illogical.”
Of course, the thornling would be more concerned about Earth’s vernacular than a huge war brewing. Nonetheless, we needed to return to prepare my people for battle. The one benefit we had was that Finnian and I had been recharged by our true lands, and I hoped neither the Seelie nor the dragons expected that. “Now isn’t the time, Finnian.”
“If not now, when?” Finnian pouted like I’d stolen the last bit of spirits of the night.
Eiric pivoted back toward him and said, “I’ll tell you all about it once we’re crossing the ocean and not at risk of being found by the Seelie.”
“I guess I can wait,” he teased, heading back to the table and grabbing a piece of bread. “But everyone should note that I’m on my best behavior.”
“Oh, it’s noted, all right.” Lira crossed her arms and stepped in front of me. Now that everything is calm, why don’t you put on your tunic before we eat? I love E, but you’re my mate, and if she glances at you for a moment too long, I might lose my rationale and slit her throat.
Hot desire shot straight to my dick. Are you threatening to kill the person you consider family for merely looking at me? She was usually so empathetic and kind—for her to threaten violence like that made me want to throw her against the wall and bury myself inside her.
She looked over her shoulder at me. I am, and I feel awful, so do something about it. Because at this point, if she does, it’ll be your fault. You’re aware of the threat.
Something was wrong with me. That threat only made my hands itch to follow through on the very naughty thoughts running through my head. I smirked as I turned toward the hallway, spreading out my wings so Eiric couldn’t see me. If we were at the castle and safe, I’d be dragging Lira with me, and the only thing holding me back was needing a future with her.
I had to determine how to kill the dragon prince, freeing Lira to always be with me. That was the only thing that mattered.
Two hours later, the four of us left the hiding spot, and I cloaked us in darkness. The magic came easily now; it didn’t drain me while I used it, and we left the kingdom behind without issue.
Finally, Fate had blessed us. The first sign that maybe things would turn for the better.
We waited to leave until the moon was rising and the faint shadows of darkness shrouded the land, knowing the Seelie would expect us to make our move while the moon was higher in the sky. We flew over the water, and the strength of my magic slipped as we left our true kingdom behind.
Finnian and Eiric flanked Lira and me, with Finnian on my left and Eiric on Lira’s right. Our wings beat in a similar rhythm as we flew high in the sky. I kept the darkness close to us, not wanting to risk the dragons locating us with their keen eyesight.
Every so often, Eiric tugged at the long, dark-green dress she and Lira had found. She’d demanded to keep her sheath and sword, which I’d agreed with. Whether Eiric was in Seelie guard attire or not, she’d need to protect herself once we were back on land. Lira was competent with a sword as well, and I’d be giving her one too. She needed a sword to protect herself in case we got separated if Eldrin attacked us on our return to the ruined lands.
After an hour of flight with no danger, Eiric and Finnian began having the Earth conversation she’d offered to have. I learned a lot of pointless vocabulary that only Eiric, Lira, and her parents would ever know. I tried to focus on the conversation, seeing the way Lira enjoyed Finnian’s foolish questions and interpretations, but each moment we came closer to returning to my people, the problems I’d left behind reared in my head. I hoped Eldrin was still alive so I could kill him. After all his deceptions, I needed to be the one to use my sword and stab him in the heart.
Lira’s wings brushed mine as she reached for my hand. The jolt sparked between us, easing some of my turmoil and tiredness from the physical exertion.
Are you thinking about Eldrin? She squeezed my hand comfortingly.
Of course she’d know. She was the other half of my soul and could sense my feelings the same way I could hers. I hope Caelan found him and wasn’t forced to kill him. I hated that I’d hinted he had my permission if needed. That I’d wanted him dead but didn’t think I could do it myself without risking my magic over the debt I owed him.
Not anymore. I wouldn’t feel complete unless I was the one who punished him.
I won’t lie. Her gorgeous emerald eyes hardened. I’d love to see the wildling die at your hands, especially after what he’s done to us. Her disgust made our bond feel like grainy sand.
I didn’t have to know what she was remembering. Though the scar had faded from her healing magic, I remembered exactly how it had looked, especially on the night she’d received it and she’d refused to tell me what had happened.
Eldrin had threatened her Earth family if she told anyone he’d attacked her while she was bathing. The first thing I’d do to him was cut his eyes out for laying them on Lira like that. Then I’d chop off his hands for touching her before stabbing him in the heart. That would be the minimum, but based on whatever he said, I might draw out the torture in front of my people so they could see what happened to anyone who dared to hurt my mate in any way, even if it made her uncomfortable.
Don’t fret. If he’s alive, we’ll make sure he dies a fitting death for what he’s done to us, I replied. She would have a say in the ways he was punished if she desired.
The steep, jagged, ruined spikes of the land we’d been forced to relocate to broke through the skyline in the distance. Living here had been difficult for all of us, and after returning to the Unseelie land and feeling the strength it provided, the land before me didn’t feel remotely like home.
I didn’t notice before because I didn’t have my memories, but… why do you call the places on this island the same names as the ones back in your actual home ? Lira connected.
My heart grew heavy, but with Lira by my side, there was no doubt I’d be fine. At that moment, I realized she was my actual home. It was her presence. When we relocated here, I wanted to make this place feel familiar. As a fourteen-year-old boy, I decided that using the same names would make things easier. I’d been so young and foolish, but I’d tried.
Did it? Lira tilted her head, a few wispy pieces of her blonde hair flying into her face.
Not really, but no one questioned me. I inhaled, smelling the brimstone of the dead land we were approaching. We were all looking for something to cling to.
You’re truly amazing. Awe swelled through the connection. I doubt I could’ve done half as well as you at fourteen.
I smirked, the tenderness of her affection and words nearly choking me. You didn’t have magic and wings, and you survived the gauntlet. I have no doubt that at ten, you would’ve been a better royal than me.
“This is the land you’ve been living on?” Eiric gasped.
“It’s amazingly awful, isn’t it?” Finnian chuckled. “But yes, this has been our living quarters since your people forced us to leave our true kingdom behind.”
The island was five hundred yards in front of us. The dark castle seemed to hover in the sky, and the village came into focus down below. Everywhere else was dirt and rock, proof that the dragons had killed the land before moving on.
“It’s something.” Eiric’s voice deepened with what sounded like pity. “I can’t believe this is where they sent you.”
Normally, that would have angered me, but instead, it endeared her to me a little more. She seemed to care, similar to Lira.
Concern swirled from Lira. “Tavish, when did you begin recloaking the island in shadows?”
I lifted my brows as something sank inside me. “I haven’t.” I was so used to it being hidden in darkness that it hadn’t hit me that I wasn’t the one doing it.
“Can Caelan do that?” Lira’s eyes widened.
We were upon the island, but my heart stopped beating. “No. Only members of the royal line can do that.”
Eldrin.
But what did this mean?
Suddenly, Eiric screamed.