Chapter 26
VALANCE
I could only assume Kormac was out looking for food. At least, I hoped so with his clothes left in a pile like they were.
Out washing in a stream, maybe? He wasn’t far. I felt him, a sensation of his presence coming through our bond.
Yes, he must be out looking for food. Those yellow clothes would hinder a hunt.
Was meat coming? Oh, Danu. How wonderful.
I considered starting a fire. Thought better of it. Me starting fires not in a hearth? A recipe for disaster!
Rather than shiver in the dark, I stepped outside into the sunshine. For such a dense forest, the sun’s power came through rather impressively. I closed my eyes, let the beams hit me. Warm my bones.
My stomach growled.
Meat. Meat. Meat. Meat.
A figure in the trees. I found myself smiling at his timing. He must have read my complaining stomach through our connection.
“Perfect—”
The figure wasn’t Kormac but someone in black, their face completely covered aside from their eyes. It looked like a male, a blade in his hand. The metal glinted in the sunlight menacingly.
Oh, Danu…
I stepped back, almost slipping on the slick rock outside the cave entrance. “I have nothing for you.” Lifting my hands in meek surrender, I hoped my bedraggled appearance would help.
What I wouldn’t give for anything to stab with. I glanced around, spotting nothing.
“I’ll be the judge of that.”
Yes. A man. His voice gruff, carrying the somewhat soft tones of Autumn—which was a strange contradiction. He slowed his pace as he came closer, falling into more of a prowl. Ready to strike at any moment with that weapon.
Kormac…
“I promise there’s nothing—”
“You’re a Sidhe fae,” he said.
“I…” What did I do to get out of this?
“Valance Rosestar.”
Oh, no. “I’m not him.”
He held the knife up. “Don’t fucking lie to me.”
“I… Please. I’m only passing through.”
He laughed. “Why?”
“That’s my own business.” Maybe I shouldn’t have been so short in my response.
The man let out a hiss. “Fucking talk to me like that, eh? Cunt. I know you’re that prince.
I know because no one else looks like you.
” He folded his arms, the blade tapping against his bicep.
“Pretty. Could almost call you a woman in the right light.” He cocked his head, those brown eyes roaming across my body.
“Maybe not. Whatever.” His arms unfurled.
“Please—”
“Stop begging. Word is out Lasair wants you dead or alive. Preferably dead, apparently.”
Of course…
Despite my fear, a response drifted out of me. “Getting others to do her dirty work, is she?”
Fool!
“See! I told you it was you!” He roared with laughter.
As afraid of him as I was, and angry at his brashness, I felt no stirring of the berserker curse. However, my magic responded, my emotions perfectly aligned with fear and rage. No confusion, no panic. Nothing to block my connection from my power.
And plenty of my elemental specialty to draw on.
“We’ll make a killing with your head,” he said. “Can’t wait to get myself that ship I’ve been eyeing. Even after the split.”
There were others here to share the prize.
I called to the trees, my fingers dancing. “I’m worth that much?”
“What are you doing?” he asked, noticing my hands.
I didn’t give him time to think, to ask me any more questions. The closest branch from a magically controlled tree snapped its softened form around his neck. Lifted him into the air. He dropped his weapon, grabbing hold of the constricting branch. Legs kicking, those eyes bulging.
The tree twisted his head off. It fell to the ground with a sickening thump, the body following seconds later.
I commanded the tree to wait, all of its branches rippling. Being the biggest tree in this area, I felt safe. Ready to take on others.
Until the arrow hit me in the chest.
The shock threw me back onto my behind. I hit the rock hard, teeth rattling. The arrow wobbled in my chest, right where my heart raced.
“Danu…”
My magic flickered and died.
Laughter. Running footsteps.
Three figures, one with an arrow nocked and ready to fly.
No…
A figure, female I presumed from her form, ran up to me with a blade much like that of her headless friend. She came at me fast, confusing my pain-riddled mind.
And drew the blade across my throat.
“Goodnight, sweet prince.”