Chapter 17
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
I t took several days for the Fae council to iron out the details. I was initially part of the first of several meetings as I told them all about what I knew and remembered about the castle. I told them the guard’s schedules, the layout of the castle, the training the soldiers received - everything I could remember.
Once I had shared all I knew, however, they continued discussing their plans without me. Truthfully, I was glad to not be a part of that process - too much ego was being thrown around for my taste.
Instead, I spent my free time around the Fae village. I’d never been wholly accepted for who I was, and the feeling was a novel one. I savored the feeling, the acceptance, and worked to ensure their faith in me was not misplaced.
When the council finally agreed on their final plan days later, Aldric requested that I join the invading party. I agreed, and we set about preparing to change the course of our kingdom.
My nerves were playing havoc with my magic, and I felt like I was a walking cloud of gingerbread. By the constant sniffing of the villagers and the increased request for my gingerbread cookies, I had a feeling that I wasn’t the only one affected.
After the evening meal, I sent Fiach ahead to the cottage and stayed behind with the villagers. We spent hours together around the fire drinking and singing together to celebrate our hopeful triumphant return. I glanced around at the villagers and etched every face upon my heart, intent that they would finally find peace after tomorrow’s mission. Eventually, I said good night and went to head to my lovely, if lonely, cottage. Maybe when I get back I could move it closer to the village, I mused.
“Katharina!” I turned at the sound Ruhan’s voice, patiently waiting for him to catch up. I’d mostly successfully avoided the gorgeous Fae since our last forest session that had ended so… intensely. “We need to talk.”
I hated those words. When have those words ever been uttered and it turned out to be happy news? Half of me wanted to continue to ignore him.
I’d finally admitted to myself that I cared for him, and I wasn’t yet ready to hear that he didn’t return the sentiment. I turned and continued walking to my cottage. “Okay, so… talk.” But don’t expect me to slow down for you, I thought peevishly..
He gave me a strange look, but fell into step beside me. As we continued to walk in silence, slowly my heart rate began to settle, my body relaxing into the companionable silence we shared.
“I have a confession to make.”
He had to go and ruin the moment. I sighed, wondering if my silence would stop him from continuing.
“I asked Matteo to keep an eye on any developments in Bur?l.”
Apparently not. I stopped walking and turned to him. “Why?”
With a grunt of frustration, he stopped beside me and ran his hand through his hair. My fingers itched to touch it, to see if it felt as soft as it looked. But I had determined that I would keep my hands firmly to myself until I was positive that he was not only a willing participant, but that he shared my feelings. “You know why,” he insisted.
My magic blazed through me, bringing with it a blaze of clarity. That wasn’t enough for me. I stepped forward into his space and repeated, “Tell me why.”
He stilled, and my heart rate spiked. My magic responded to my emotions and began to swell, not quite escaping my grasp, but enough to perfume the air. Ruhan’s magic also flared, its essence mixing and twining with mine above our heads in a heady fragrance. He also stepped towards me, and our bodies almost touched. I almost couldn’t draw enough air in, and my lungs clamored for more oxygen.
I was gratified to see he was just as affected as he drew in deep breaths, just shy of panting. Together our eyes locked on the other, and the air around us felt charged. My skin pebbled over and over in waves as I waited to hear his next words. I felt in my bones - with a knowing that defied logic - that they would decide our fate.
I was not disappointed.
“Because I care for you, Katharina. Because the world without you in it isn’t one I could bear to save.” He pushed a strand of hair behind my ear, and the affectionate gesture made my knees weak. I locked them to keep from falling at his feet.
Who was I kidding? I had fallen for this Fae already.
I leaned my head into his hand, and the feeling of his hand on my cheek felt like it cradled my heart. “I care for you, too.”
The words seemed far too plain for the feelings that stirred in my heart regarding him. I felt full, as if the feelings were too big to fit in my body, and they must come out or I would combust.
“I need you safe, Katharina. I know better than most how it feels to be singled out by the King’s depravity and have it wielded against you. I couldn’t bear if something happened to you Katharina, so I need you to promise me - promise me you will stay safe.”
I looked deep into his eyes and I saw love shining out. I heard his words, and in them I heard his passion. I felt his arms as they wrapped around me, holding me, and I felt his protection. It made me feel whole in a way that not even my magic could.
I nodded. “I will do my best.”
He sighed and kissed my forehead, and I swear a lightning storm erupted behind my eyes as I closed them. “That’s all I ask of you.”
How had I never realized that Ruhan was such a romantic? My heart was bursting with love for this man.
He held me in his arms a moment longer, and I savored the sensation, storing it in the chambers of my heart where my most treasured memories were stored so that I could take them out and pour over them, reveling in the emotions of them at my whim.
With a sign he released me, and I felt the world and all its weight and responsibility come rushing back. “As much as I would love nothing more than to hold you all night and not think of anything but you, I have some news you need to hear that’s going to ruin the mood.” His mouth twisted at the words, and my heart mimicked the motion.
I straightened my shoulders and nodded for him to continue. I was ready. I grabbed his hand and continued to walk toward my cottage as he walked. He followed in step with me, and I was comforted by his presence.
“There’s a hunting party for you from Bur?l. Somehow the King’s reach has extended even there and is stirring the people into a frenzy, believing you to be evil. They can’t find you here, I’ve made sure of it, but you need to be aware. There - there are flyers with your face on it, so you mustn’t trust anyone. Not anyone from the village,” he emphasized, and the sorrow that struck me was staggering.
These are the people who had helped me in those early years when I was still trying to come to grips with my banishment. They were the people who I had helped to heal and live. Was it all a farce? Or was the King so evil he could infect even those far from his reach?
It was time for the King to go.
Ruhan and I fell into an easy step together, and I led him closer, bringing him with me. Tomorrow may be filled with uncertainty, but the night was still young enough, and I was determined to make the most of it.
A warm hand pressed me back, and I jumped, so deep in my own thoughts that I had stopped paying attention to my surroundings. Ruhan held a finger against his lips and pointed ahead.
Following his finger, I could see the outline of my adorable cottage. Confused, I glanced back at him and found him still focused on my cottage. I turned back just in time to spy two miniature shadows separate from the silhouette. I squinted, the shadows looked - they looked children-sized.
I felt my forehead wrinkle at my confusion and turned to Ruhan. He looked just as confused as I felt. He motioned for me to follow, and we carefully walked toward my cottage, ensuring our steps remained silent.
I know he had said not to trust anyone, but surely children couldn’t mean us harm?
I followed him silently, curious about his intent. There was a niggling feeling of foreboding that tried to make itself known, but I pushed it back, ignoring it. After all, children were to be protected. Not protected from .
Ruhan and I slipped around the house, much as the children had done moments before. He put a finger against his lips and his hand on the knob of my door, and I nodded. With his other hand, he quietly loosened his ever present Morgenstern from his back, holding it ready. I raised my eyebrow at it, but he simply gave me a bland look, refusing to put it back.
I rolled my eyes and got ready for whatever would find us behind my door, shifting my feet into position to rush in.
Silently my door swung open, and Ruhan slipped in and I followed close on his heels.
A deep grunt filled my ears, along with the telltale whistling of Ruhan’s Morgenstern. What in Morena’s name was going on? Scuffles surrounded me, and as Fiach’s squawk joined the cacophony, I rushed to turn on the light, using a small burst of magic.
The first thing I realized as my eyes adjusted to the light was there were no children in my cottage.
The second? Ruhan was fighting two of the King’s assassins.