Chapter 46
Forty-Six
RONAN
ELLNESARI, PRESENT DAY
C astiel takes Telar to his own quarters and places him in his bed, which makes me suspect his relationship with the Aquila soldier is more intimate than I first thought.
Maybe that’s why, when asked, he said his love life was complicated.
Telar’s face is almost unrecognizable. He has multiple lacerations, his left eye is swollen shut and purple, and his lower lip is busted.
There’s also dried blood on his hairline from a deep cut.
“I didn’t realize it was an ambush until too late. You have to believe me,” Telar blurts out almost desperately.
“I believe you, sweetheart. Please don’t worry about anything until the healer has seen you.”
Telar closes his eyes, grimacing. “I couldn’t save them.”
A sharp pain in my chest robs me of air. He can’t be referring to Manu and Karl.
“Who couldn’t you save?” Cheryl asks through a tight throat, moving closer to the bed.
Castiel looks over his shoulder, frowning. “You shouldn’t be here.”
“The hell I shouldn’t. Telar has information about my brother.”
“I… I don’t know where your brother is,” Telar says. “All I know is that Queen Maewe didn’t have him or Manu before I managed to escape.”
I release a shaky breath, but I’m far from relieved. “How did you escape? I can’t imagine the queen took kindly to your treachery.”
Castiel narrows his eyes. “I don’t appreciate your tone, Ronan. You’re a guest, but that can quickly change.”
“Don’t you dare threaten us,” Cheryl grits out, and it sounds like a growl. “It’s a valid question, one you should be asking yourself.”
“Please, don’t argue on my account,” Telar rasps. “I think my escape wasn’t luck. I believe Queen Maewe wanted Castiel to see me like this.”
Something changes in the prince’s expression. His eyes glint with murderous intent. He wants to end Queen Maewe, but he’ll have to get in line. We all want to see the bitch perish, and our grievances are far older than his.
“You said you couldn’t save them. Who were you talking about?” Cheryl asks.
Telar looks at us. “Phylia and Ronwen. She tortured the healer, trying to get information about King Ruel’s plan. Ronwen couldn’t bear it, and he told the queen everything he knew, hoping she would spare their lives. She didn’t.”
“No…,” Cheryl whimpers. “Then she knows where Karl and Manu are.”
I pull her into a hug, fighting the overwhelming anxiety and sadness that hit me at once.
I didn’t know the healer and her nephew well, but in the few hours I spent in their company, they left a mark on me, especially Phylia.
She didn’t hesitate to help Cheryl even though we were strangers from a different world.
“She can’t capture them while they’re in the Valley of Lost Souls, Cher,” I say.
“But she’ll be waiting for them when they get out,” she counters.
“Then we need to stop her.” I look at Castiel. “We can’t remain here in Lynx. We won’t.”
“There might be another way.” Queen Endaya enters the room, followed by a female wearing a white robe.
“Another way for what?” Cheryl asks.
With a hand gesture, she instructs the female with her to walk to the bed. “Make room for Murana to help Telar, son.”
Castiel steps back, but he doesn’t go far.
“Hello? Are you going to answer my question or not?” Cheryl glowers at the queen.
“Cher…” I give her a meaningful glance, hoping she’ll tone down her feral instinct. One sign from the queen, and we could find ourselves in another dungeon cell.
“I don’t take offense to her behavior. I’m also very close to my brother, the king of Etheos. As you know, shadow wolves can walk the shadows. They can get into places unseen.”
My eyes widen as I understand the implications. “Can she take us to Aquila without alerting Queen Maewe’s soldiers?”
“Yes,” the queen replies at the same time Castiel says, “No.”
“Which one is it?” Cheryl looks between the two.
“The Aquila castle is heavily warded. No one can enter by traveling the wind or the shadows,” Castiel replies. “Mom, you know this.”
The queen simply smiles, as if she knows something Castiel doesn’t. “Yes, that much is true, but you know how wards work, Cas. They’re keyed to specific vibrations.”
“Yes, and the wards are keyed against shadow wolves.”
“Yes, but not against a vampire–wolf shifter hybrid.” The queen looks at Cheryl.
“I don’t understand. I can’t travel the shadows,” she says.
“You can connect with Luna’s psyche. Luna will travel, but she will be masked with your frequency. You will also be able to see everything that she does.”
“Can that truly work?” I ask. It sounds too easy to be true.
Castiel’s forehead wrinkles. “In theory, but?—”
“I’ll do it,” Cheryl replies.
Queen Endaya nods. “Very well. The sooner the better. Come. We’ll do it in my quarters.”
I take a step forward, but the queen raises her hand. “I’m afraid you cannot come, my dear. For it to work, I need Cheryl’s undivided attention, and your presence might be detrimental to that.”
I open my mouth to protest, but Cheryl steps in front of me and places a hand on my chest. “It’s okay, Ronan. I’ll be safe.”
She believes she can trust the queen, but my chest feels heavy just the same. I can’t argue with her, though. She’ll go ahead with the queen’s plan whether I like it or not. I cup her face and bring my forehead to hers. “You’d better be safe, Cher. I can’t lose you.”
She rises on her tiptoes and places a soft kiss on my lips. “You won’t.”