26. Tavish
26
TAVISH
M y throat constricted as a new guard, coming from a different direction, flew through the window and crashed into Eiric. The guard grunted, unable to see her with my darkness surrounding us, but this momentum pushed her backward. Lira prepared to catch her sister, but I gripped Lira’s waist and yanked her to the side as I moved forward to keep Eiric from falling.
The world spun slightly. I was far more drained than I wanted to admit. The injuries and the burst of magic I’d used on our arrival had caught up to me, and I had not been able to refuel during the past few hours with the chains on me.
Still… I refused to allow Lira to be injured more than she already was.
Tavish, no! Lira exclaimed as determination flashed through our bond, but I ignored the sensation as I moved my shoulder forward just as Eiric’s body pressed into it.
Nightbane stepped in front of Lira, blocking her from heading back toward the threat. I kept Eiric aloft, fighting the momentum of the guard, and I connected, You’re injured. You’ll wind up getting all of us hurt, because everyone here is determined to protect you, including Eiric and Nightbane.
Her displeasure pulsed between us, but Nightbane growled a warning at her. Knowing the beast would protect her and not allow her to interfere, I turned my attention to her sister. Eiric’s wings flapped in my face, causing my skin to crawl. Wings were one of the most intimate parts of our bodies, and it felt wrong having hers all over me. This wasn’t for pleasure but out of necessity.
Another guard rammed into the first one, and my feet slipped underneath me. I gritted my teeth, shoving forward and allowing my illusion magic to trickle out and swarm the guards. My magic quivered and stretched, but I didn’t have the luxury of not using it. I had to remain strong.
Finnian gripped my shoulders to aid in our battle, and we shoved both guards out the window, hitting a third who had paused outside.
Continuing forward, I clutched Eiric’s arms, keeping her from falling out with them. Then I pivoted to her and spoke in a faint whisper, “Go out another window now .”
“Are the windows unlocked? Otherwise, we’re going to get hurt,” Eiric hissed under her breath.
“They’re like the Seelie’s,” Lira replied. “They’re all open air except for the royal chambers to protect the ruling king and queen. Everywhere else is wide open.”
The sound of the three guards’ beating wings helped cover my instruction, but a female guard yelled, “The former king is cloaking them and attacking us here!”
Excellent. Let them believe we’d remain here so we could find a better exit.
Our best chance to beat Eldrin was to get out of the castle so we’d be harder to locate. With the sky dark once more, we could easily hide in the ruined lands and sneak attack the guards. No one but a royal could sense my darkness magic, which meant disarming the guards and killing the ones who posed an actual threat to us should be easy.
The six of us flew down the hall toward my chambers as more guards flew in through the window. We needed weapons—another dilemma to rectify as blasting quickly as possible.
Caelan and Finnian led the charge as Lira waited for Eiric and me before flying alongside us. Of course, Nightbane remained glued to my mate’s side, and I found myself feeling grateful for the beast I’d once tortured. I never would have believed that I’d feel indebted to a cù-sìth, but Lira had again changed my perception.
Lorne followed us with his sword in his hand, prepared to fight the guards who’d followed us. Yet another person I’d never dreamed of allying with because he’d led the rebellion against me twelve years ago.
After a few strokes of our wings, I felt a faint sting through my connection with Lira, as if she were hiding her pain from me.
Her wings.
Of course, they’d hurt if we flew. I hadn’t considered that.
I turned to see a tear trailing down Lira’s cheek, and my heart squeezed uncomfortably as the rigidness of my terror spread throughout my chest.
She’d fight me on it, but I needed to carry her. Her injury was worse than mine, and I couldn’t stand to let her suffer any more than she already had.
“Wait,” I said, louder than I wanted, but I needed Finnian and Caelan to hear me ahead.
Without question, the entire group stopped, searching for the threat.
The guards we’d left behind quieted too, and then I heard their feet shuffling in our direction.
Nightbane whimpered, staring at Lira, realizing the same thing I had. I wanted to scold the beast, but I’d already given away our location. I bent and lifted Lira in my arms like the princess she was, and her mouth formed an O of surprise.
What are you doing? she connected.
Since we were all cloaked in darkness, we could see each other, and I nodded as the guards flew toward us. We had to move before they reached us. We hadn’t made it far.
“They must be heading toward the king’s chambers!” a guard shouted.
We had been since I had weapons stowed there, but not any longer.
Our group took off again, and Lira squirmed against me. I let my aggravation leak through to her and mind-melded, Sprite, it’s clear that I’m carrying you. You’re in agony, and you can’t fly for long. You were already slowing us down. I need you to reserve your strength in case there’s no choice but for you to fly on your own. I’d do anything to ensure she got free. The Unseelie had done enough damage to her, mostly because of me. I’d do whatever was necessary to fix the huge list of mistakes I’d made against her.
I could feel her frustration brew between us, but before she could respond or fight me further, Eldrin snarled, “Let me through!”
I’d hoped that the chaos would’ve kept him occupied a little longer, but I should’ve realized that my wildling of a cousin would be more focused on locating me than checking on his people.
We pumped our wings harder to gain distance from the guards. They were moving cautiously, allowing us to move ahead undetected, but not for long.
Not with my cousin here to aid them.
Even though the guards couldn’t see us, Eldrin could keep them right on the cusp of our wings until I drained my magic enough not to be able to hide us. Allowing the sky to light up would conserve my magic, but then we’d be easier to locate.
“They’re almost at the turn in the hall,” Eldrin rasped.
Numerous wings flapped. Most of the guards that had been following Eldrin had made it through the window and were now chasing us.
My pulse raced. Time was of the essence. Thankfully, my adrenaline spiked, allowing my strength to return fully, if only temporarily.
Eiric glanced over her shoulder, and the castle walls began to quake like they did before a volcano erupted on the island. Chunks of wall began to crumble between us and the guards, and thick pieces of the ceiling and walls crashed down, separating us from them.
Guards screamed, and someone shouted, “The other Seelie must have earth magic!”
We turned the corner toward the king’s chambers as Eiric faced forward. She’d bought us more time, though the Unseelie would be on us shortly if we didn’t get out of here.
Ten guards appeared through the window that Finnian and Caelan had been leading us to, and I funneled more darkness between us. Eiric readied herself to use her magic again, but Finnian and Caelan flew close to the side of the hallway. The ten guards moved slowly and warily, knowing we could be anywhere.
I wanted to attack them, but the risk of Eldrin locating us if we didn’t leave the castle held me back.
Finnian darted in front of Caelan, preparing to attack.
No. That was the worst thing he could do.
Nightbane hunkered in front of me, but Caelan grabbed Finnian’s shoulder and yanked him back against the wall. Caelan shook his head as Finnian fought against him, and the first guard held his sword in front of him. The guard glanced around, searching for anything out of the ordinary, and continued forward, breathing hard.
The guards following him moved much faster, no doubt knowing if they ran into us, the lead guard would get attacked first.
Selfish idiots, but that was the fae way.
After five passed us, the sound of the rubble being pushed aside had us all moving again. We moved alongside the wall toward the window, and the ten guards stopped to listen to the commotion ahead.
“Those who can, fly over it!” Eldrin exclaimed in frustration. “Those trapped inside can get out on their own. Our kingdom is under attack.”
Disgust slithered through me, and Lira wrapped her arms around my neck. Our connection jolted where our skin touched.
He’ll get what’s coming to him, she vowed as Caelan darted out the window.
One by one, we took to the sky, and when I stepped onto the window ledge and readied to fly, Lira gasped.
Heart hammering against my ribs, I took flight. Is it Eldrin? Had he located us again so quickly? I braced myself for an attack, but I refused to spin around with Lira in my arms.
No. It’s Nightbane, Lira replied. She pulled back, her cobalt eyes wide and twinkling. He vanished.
I smiled, loving that even with all her memories back, I still got to enjoy her wonder at new things. We told you he could portal on the island.
Hearing and seeing are two different things. She arched a brow, but then her face strained once more. At least he’ll be okay.
I wanted to vow that she would be as well, but I couldn’t even if I tried. We had so many stakes against us that it could very well be a lie. I will do everything in my power to protect you. That is my priority. My people had come second to her, but they were no longer on my list. They’d turned on me after everything I’d done for them, and the fact I was the rightful heir made their betrayal worse. They should’ve supported me over that alone, but I’d done everything for them, including changing, which made their turning their back on me hurt more than I ever imagined.
Lira cupped my face, and the wind blew a few wavy, blonde tendrils of hair in her face. She pressed her lips into a line and sighed. I know that, but your safety is my priority as well. So if you do something stupid to protect me, just know I’ll follow you right into the lion’s den.
Lion? Even with her memories back, she spoke like a human.
I scanned the area for guards around the city. They should be stationed along the perimeter of the island in case the Seelie tried to attack us. As expected, twenty-five guards were stationed on the mountain peaks.
The snow I’d summoned when I’d arrived here had melted while my magic was bound. The temperature was almost as warm as it had been back at Glean Solas, but thankfully, it was nighttime, so we were blanketed in darkness. Even if I’d wanted to, I couldn’t have spared the extra magic to signify my power. I had to reserve it to cloak us.
We flew toward the center of town, which was vacant as most people had gone to bed. Every household slept with their weapons beside them in preparation for the Seelie’s arrival. Our people yearned for the day when they could fight the Seelie once again, and my goal had been to ensure that day would end in our victory.
I was no longer sure that was possible.
Caelan, Finnian, Eiric, Lorne, and I flew close together. Lira had stopped fighting me and nestled into my chest. Her wings hung limply, and even though I no longer sensed her torment, I could tell they bothered her from the way she flinched any time they brushed my arm.
“What do we do?” Eiric arched a brow. “We need weapons. You can’t use your darkness forever, and you need to kill Eldrin.”
She was right. I would soon be struggling to hide us. I could already feel my magic blipping. I needed to reserve it for whatever fight lay ahead of us.
“Before the Seelie arrive.” Finnian lifted a hand. “If we don’t, Eldrin will attack them, and we’re all going to die… except for her .” He gestured to Lira. “Not that I’m upset over it. Lira’s a rare Seelie that I like, but I’d prefer to live along with her.”
“Father won’t come for me.” Lira exhaled loudly. “Not after I helped you two escape and chose the Unseelie over them.”
Eiric snorted. “Your parents love you, believe me. But even if the king and queen cut you loose, Mom and Dad won’t tolerate leaving us here, knowing the Unseelie could attack us.”
I found myself approving more of Lira’s Earth parents than her royal ones, though it wasn’t hard since they’d had my parents killed.
“If we attack the guards for weapons, they’ll alert the others.” Caelan frowned. “And Eldrin will find us quickly.”
Sheathing his sword, Lorne rubbed his hands together. “I know where weapons are stored outside the castle. They’re guard grade and meant to serve a larger purpose. Even when he came into power under the ruse that Tavish had died, we kept the weapons. Eldrin suspected that Tavish would return and wanted his loyalists to have access to guard weapons. That’s how the woman who hit Lira in the wings managed to have guard-grade weapons. A handful of guards pretended to remain on Eldrin’s side and hid a few weapons in one of our homes, hoping you’d come back with Lira. Our hope was that she would be an ally and aid us in returning to our homeland without war.”
“Loyalists?” My body tensed.
“He has coveted power since before your father died, Your Majesty. I know because I used to believe in his cause, thinking war was the only way to respond against the Seelie.” Lorne rolled his shoulders back. “He had a group of followers even then and a plan to take the crown, but now isn’t the time to discuss this.”
As if Fate wanted to reinforce his point, Eldrin shouted so loudly that we could hear him even as far away as we were as he flew out of the window, “They’re somewhere out here! I feel the faint pulse of his magic.”
“I can lead you to the guard’s house where we stored some of the weapons. He is loyal to you. No one outside our trusted group knows where they are. No one will betray us to Eldrin because watching Lira during the gauntlet changed their perception of her, the same as she convinced me she was worth having on our side.”
Even at fifteen, I hadn’t felt like everything was working against me like I did now. I should’ve seen that Eldrin had coveted my position before I even held it. At least there was a group of Unseelie who supported Lira, which meant they wouldn’t have an issue with us ruling over them together. “Fine. I’ll cloak us until we get there, but we need to hurry.”
Lorne took the lead, and the rest of us followed. When I glanced behind us, I could see Eldrin searching the open area.
Our group flew low through the town, keeping to the shadows so there wasn’t a dark spot moving through the light of the flickering street lanterns. My arms were growing tired from carrying Lira, but there was no way I would put her down.
As we flew past the darkened houses, I noticed that some fae were sleeping on the floor near their windows, ready to fight at the slightest alarm. It would’ve been comforting if I hadn’t known many were prepared to kill Lira and me.
I couldn’t hear Eldrin anymore, and a chill of warning ran down my spine. I pushed it away. My emotions were getting the best of me. We’d moved fast enough to put distance between us, and he’d have a harder time tracking us. He wouldn’t expect us to head into the village.
Maybe we should get as far away as possible, but I couldn’t run off and let the Seelie slaughter the innocent while searching for Lira and me. They’d have to find her because of their vow to the dragon prince.
Lira tensed, and I couldn’t fathom her being with him . I refused to allow it. At the thought, blind rage wanted to take over, but I closed my eyes and focused on her touch and her wild roses, moonlight mist, and vanilla scent—my favorite in the entire realm. My body relaxed, but then a slight bulge grew in my pants, causing a whole different kind of problem.
“We’re almost there,” Lorne whispered, bringing my attention back to the present.
We reached a home in the center of the village, and Lorne dropped to the top-floor window. Even though I knew most of my people by name, I didn’t know where everyone lived and wasn’t sure whose home it was.
I followed close behind Lorne, wanting to shut off my magic so that Eldrin couldn’t track us here. Moments after landing, I bent and set Lira down on the smooth floor, giving my arms some relief.
As Eiric, Caelan, and Finnian landed behind me, I pulled back the darkness so that the person who lived here could see us.
“Struan?” Lorne called. “It’s me. We need those—”
My chest seized, and I pulled Lira behind me. This was a trap, and we’d all made a big mistake in trusting Lorne. Struan was one of Eldrin’s most loyal guards, and he’d wanted Lira to die in the gauntlet.
Struan appeared, his face flushed black and his eyes flashing. He said, “You shouldn’t have come here.”