25. Lira
25
LIRA
L orne paused, but then his hand tightened on mine, and he pulled me inside the cell I’d stayed in the first night Tavish had brought me here.
The cot remained against the wall near the bowls. The cell could have been left untouched since the last time I’d been inside, except Malikor’s blood and decimated wing had been removed and the bowls placed on the floor. Malikor, a guard, had been injured, courtesy of Tavish as a punishment for attempting to harm me.
Two pairs of footsteps headed my way, and my blood froze. Unfortunately, it had nothing to do with Tavish’s magic and everything to do with the paralyzing fear Eldrin held over me. Ever since the attack in the bath, my palms became sweaty around him.
“Help me,” I murmured, staring directly into Lorne’s eyes. I swore I saw a flash of something reflecting back at me, but then his eyes turned back to an emotionless, blank gaze.
“Even with your wings and memories back, you’re still weak.” Eldrin breezed through the door, joining us in the cell. “Begging a former competitor to help you is quite pathetic. The fated-mate connection has to be the reason Tavish finds you appealing. You may be nice to admire from the shadows.” He winked. “But that’s the only pleasant thing about you.”
I shivered, and he smirked. He wanted to remind me of the tub attack, and I’d given him the very thing he wanted, confirming he had power over me.
That ended now. I refused to inflate his ego any more. I stood tall, ignoring what Eldrin had in store for me. My magic remained depleted, but there was no way in hell I’d stand here and allow him to drain me . I had every intention of getting away. “You say I’m weak, but I’m one of the few prisoners who survived the gauntlet.”
What’s happening? Tavish connected.
I wasn’t sure what to say. If I told him, he’d be more upset, but he couldn’t do a thing about it. Eldrin is just being himself. I’m getting him talking. I’d distract him for as long as I could.
“You were meant to die .” Eldrin’s face strained with anger. “You only survived because of Tavish’s interference. He was the king our people needed until he brought you back from Earth.”
A lump lodged in my throat. No wonder Tavish had changed so much from twelve years ago. He’d believed his cousin had saved him, and he’d wanted Eldrin’s approval. “If that’s the case, why did Tavish have to stab you the first year he became king?”
His face darkened to the color of a bruise. “The day he stabbed me, I realized he had become vicious enough to lead our people in our trying times. I merely stood beside him and guided him until he grew weak once more.”
“Do you think we’re that stupid?” I spat, trying to get the horrid taste from my mouth. “You’ve been preparing for this moment the entire time.”
He shrugged, and all the tension eased from his face. “None of that matters. Now we strategize how to protect the Unseelie from the Seelie.”
“Your Majesty, I thought you said we wouldn’t kill her.” Lorne sounded disinterested.
Eldrin arched a brow. “If I say I changed my mind, will you have a problem with that?”
“I would’ve worn something else. This is my best armor.” He frowned. “If the Seelie attack, I’d rather know the blood I’m coated in came from warriors on their side and not mix it with such an easy kill.”
All hope vanished. Lorne wouldn’t aid me. I felt like a balloon that had lost all its air, but I refused to give up because that was what Eldrin wanted—to break me.
“We aren’t going to kill her, but we do need a decent amount of her blood.” Eldrin gestured to the bowls. “We can’t handle a full Seelie attack yet, so we need enough to create a strong barrier like theirs. They used my uncle’s blood to keep us from entering Ardanos, so we will use the Seelie princess’s blood to keep them out.”
There was one flaw in that logic. “How will that work with Seelie inside? Won’t that negate the barrier?”
He rocked back on his heels. “Not if your magic is bound.”
I swallowed. I hadn’t considered the chains. Was that why Father had placed them on Tavish and Finnian so quickly, to rebalance the magical veil? I had to think more like a royal and consider everyone’s actions. Maybe Eldrin had a point, which burned deep in my chest to admit.
Lorne yanked me closer and removed his sword. “Get down on your knees,” he rasped.
Throwing his head back, Eldrin laughed. “I love the enthusiasm, but you don’t get the privilege of making her bleed. I’ve bestowed that kindness on someone who deserves the right to do with her as he wishes.”
He had to mean Bran. I’d killed his sister during the trials. She’d attacked me—it had been her life or mine, and part of me had reacted before I understood what I was doing. Bran didn’t agree with that sentiment. All he knew was that my hands had held the blade that ended his sister, and I couldn’t fault him. He was right.
“Enter, Malikor.”
The walls closed in around me as the tall, muscular man with one white wing entered the cell with wing chains in his hand. His eyes were as white as his remaining wing, and a deep scar marred each cheek. Before he attacked me, he’d had only one scar. He’d attacked me in this holding cell, hoping to scar my face the same as his since the Seelie had given him the mark. Tavish had arrived seconds before he could stab me, and he had cut off Malikor’s wing and given him the injury intended for me on his other cheek.
Even then, Tavish had protected me, though he’d insisted it was because he wanted to be the one to kill me. Looking back, I knew it was the fated-mate instinct that had driven him to those measures.
One corner of Malikor’s mouth tilted upward as his freaky eyes focused on me.
I wanted to shudder, but I’d already allowed enough Unseelie to feel strong.
Lira— Tavish warned. I need to know.
Malikor is alive and here to make me bleed so they can strengthen the barrier. I couldn’t hide that from him. He’d see me when they finished what they’d started.
Clanging metal echoed down the hallway. “Eldrin! Don’t you dare hurt her! I swear to Fate, if you or Malikor harm a hair on her body, your breaths will be limited.”
Eldrin’s brows shot up. “I always thought that mind-melding between fated mates was pure legend. However, for him to yell, that means you informed him of my plans. He hadn’t been alerted to that because I wanted him to see you weak and broken.”
I made sure my face remained indifferent because I was tired of being so easily read. “Maybe you aren’t good at keeping secrets.” I shrugged, ignoring the way Lorne’s fingers dug into my skin. He’d tightened his hold slightly, and I had to accept that, even if I got away, he would be able to cut me and catch enough of my blood for their means. Still, I refused to give up fighting.
“Even in prison, the dethroned king is arrogant.” Malikor removed a dagger from a sheath positioned behind his sword.
“If Malikor was alive, why wasn’t he in the gauntlet?” I managed to keep my voice level, but my heart galloped with fear. Eldrin might want to cause me pain, but he wouldn’t want true revenge on me… unlike Malikor. Tavish protecting me had made Malikor’s anger more personal. His goal wouldn’t be to make me bleed—that would be the end result for Eldrin—but to make every cut hurt in the most painful way.
“That’s none of your concern.” Eldrin shook his head. “But enough talking—the Seelie could arrive at any moment. We need her blood to reinforce the veil.”
Malikor strolled toward me and commanded, “Force her to the ground and hold her wing over the bowl. There’s no point in starting slow since we’re in a hurry.”
My wings fluttered and my wounds ached.
“Her wing is already injured,” Lorne said, pulling me a little against his side.
A malicious smirk spread across Malikor’s face. “Even better.”
My stomach roiled, and the banging on the cell door continued as Tavish yelled even louder. I couldn’t make out the words with my pulse pounding in my ears.
Lorne turned me so my wings were over the bowl, and I swung my free hand, nailing him in the face. His head jerked back, though his grip didn’t loosen, and Malikor leaped over some bowls with the dagger raised over his head.
Ignoring the way my scabs stretched and pain shot through them, I spread my wings out completely so they lay completely flat along my back. The dagger whooshed by, missing me. It was close enough that the air hit my back.
Lorne released me, stepping forward.
A deep, pain-filled grunt came from behind me, and I spun around to see Lorne’s sword lodged through Malikor’s neck. Malikor’s eyes widened in shock as his black blood poured out.
“Here.” Lorne handed me the keys. “Go. Only a few guards are here since the Seelie—”
Wings flapped, and Eldrin soared toward us. I squatted, knowing he would hit me, but Lorne flew over me, catching Eldrin head-on.
I stood as Eldrin landed on the bowls with Lorne on top of him, and I took off back toward the prison cell, the cold keys heavy in my hand.
“Lira!” Tavish screamed in agony as I darted toward them.
Get ready. We’re getting out of here, I connected with him as the cell came into view. I landed at the door, slid the key into the lock, and swung it open.
The sounds of Lorne and Eldrin’s scuffle were faint, but it gave me enough hope that we would make it out. Then, complete agony filtered into me, forcing me to my knees.
Bran.
The keys dropped from my hands. Finnian scooped them up and stuttered, “Tav… turn….” His words trailed off as Bran’s footsteps headed toward us.
No. I couldn’t let him take control of the situation. Lorne was risking his life to free us, and we’d never get another chance like this.
Though my magic was weak, I tugged at it, calling for healing. If I could negate the pain enough by healing myself, maybe I could free Tavish. He was stronger than Bran.
My magic was a mere trickle, but it took the edge off. Though I didn’t have a fresh injury, the magic healed my mind from thinking it did. I lifted my head. Finnian was hunched over with the key between his fingers and Nightbane whimpering at his feet.
Gritting my teeth, I stood and took the keys from him and stumbled the two steps to Tavish’s chained wings. Tavish’s chest heaved as he struggled without his magic protecting him.
Tears filled my eyes, and my hands shook as I tried sliding the correct key into the hole.
“Quit that!” Bran snapped. His footsteps got faster. He understood that I was a threat.
Just as he reached the door, I slipped the key into the lock and turned it. The click sounded magical, and Tavish grunted as he moved his wings, allowing the chains to clank to the floor.
Bran fisted the hair on the back of my head, yanking me away from Tavish. The ripping pain at my roots fizzled the last bit of my healing magic.
“You blasting sunscorched!” Bran yelled a moment before he started whimpering.
The chill of darkness brushed across me. Tavish was using his magic, and my fated mate reached for Bran and pulled back, holding Bran’s sword.
“Don’t,” Bran squeaked, releasing his hold on me. I dropped to my knees in relief while snagging the keys which had fallen to the floor with the chains.
“Do you remember my warning?” Tavish seethed.
Nightbane rushed to his side, snarling. He wanted to teach Bran a lesson as well.
Turning to Finnian, I freed his wings as Bran whimpered, “I’m sorry.”
My breath caught, and I jerked toward them. A fae never apologized or thanked anyone.
“Not good enough.” Tavish swung the sword, the blade so sharp that it sliced clear through Bran’s neck. Black blood squirted everywhere as his head dropped. His body continued to stand for a second longer before it followed suit.
Something wet slid down my cheek. I touched it and pulled my hand back to see smeared blood. “Really? You couldn’t have just stabbed him?”
Tavish lowered the sword to his side and grinned. “I don’t even feel bad. You wearing the blood of our enemy is blasting sexy.”
My body warmed despite the dire situation, but my human side surged forward enough to make me feel guilty. I bit my bottom lip, conflicted, and turned to find Eiric’s face all wrinkled as if she smelled something bad.
“Fate no.” She shook her head and moved so I could reach her lock. “Never talk like that in front of me again.”
When her wings were free, Finnian took the keys from me and said, “This is nothing. Just wait. He ruined a chessboard over me helping her before.”
“She was practically naked.” Tavish marched out into the hallway, but he stumbled before regaining his balance.
My chest tightened as I followed after him and linked, Are you okay? Usually, he was more graceful than me.
Just a little off balance between not being fully healed from my time in Seelie and having my wings chained. I’ll be fine.
Nightbane raced to my side with Eiric, Finnian, and Caelan hurrying after us.
I wanted to push him for more because something didn’t seem right, but the chill of Tavish’s darkness covered us, hiding us from anyone who might look down the hall. The entire castle was blanketed in shadow, and even the flickering lanterns dimmed for those who didn’t harness shadows to see. I didn’t want to distract him, not when we needed to get out of here quickly.
No sounds of the battle in the holding cell reached us, and we all hurried there to find Lorne standing over Malikor, removing his sword from the dead man’s neck. More worrisome was that Eldrin wasn’t there.
Tensing, Tavish readied to attack. I caught his hand and connected, Don’t. He helped us. He turned against Eldrin to free me and all of you. He gave me the keys. He’s our ally. He played along until he couldn’t. You could use him on your side.
I still don’t like him, but I won’t kill him… yet. Tavish pulled some of the darkness back and asked, “Where’s Eldrin?”
Head jerking up, Lorne sighed. “He used the shadows and left. He has to be calling for reinforcements. You all need to leave and come back with the Seelie if you can. That’s the only way you will take back the kingdom.”
Anger swirled through Tavish. “Absolutely not. I will kill Eldrin and prove I can take back my kingdom on my own. Otherwise, the people will never respect me.”
Lorne bowed his head slightly. “That’s what I thought you would say. Then I would like to fight alongside you.”
“Don’t make me regret this.” Tavish raised the sword. “Lira trusts you, but I don’t.”‘
Caelan exhaled. “We don’t have time to bicker. Guards will be here any second if Eldrin went to get them.”
“We should go outside so they can’t find us as easily.” Eiric pointed to the window we’d flown through. “I see about twenty heading our way right now.”
Everyone turned toward the window, where Eldrin flew in front of several guards. He could sense Tavish’s magic now that it was freed, so Eiric had a point.
“Let’s move.” Tavish waved his hands, indicating that Lorne should follow us.
“Nightbane,” I rasped. I didn’t want to leave him. Not after what I’d seen them do to him.
“Don’t worry about the beast.” Finnian placed a hand on my arm.
Tavish snarled, and he dropped it quickly, taking a few steps back. “I’m not touching her anymore, so don’t turn feral on me.” He lifted both hands like I was the wild animal. “Nightbane can teleport anywhere on the island without a leash as long as he leaves before someone uses their magic on him.”
Good to know. Maybe that was how he’d located me when I tried to escape that night.
Eldrin and the guards were only fifty feet from us and flying quickly.
“I’m done waiting. I’ll go.” Eiric flew toward the window, and the rest of us followed.
As soon as she reached the window, something crashed into her.