Chapter 16
Max
Running into the main entrance, I watch as heavy trunks are loaded into carriages, guards shouting orders while Lords hug their loved ones goodbye. Boots thunder behind me just as Tay pulls me to the side.
Weapons, food, all kinds of basket of goods are tucked into wagons as servants run to accommodate the campaign’s needs.
Glancing outside, my eyes find the large metal gates, bodies slumped to the side. The grounds are covered in discarded flags, rotting flesh burning away under Sola’s rays.
My hand falls to my nose. The decaying scent of death sweetens the air and my stomach rolls. We’ve had little time to clean up, to make proper burials before taking off.
Like the rest of the lords, Taylay and I barely slept, kept awake with the possibility of another attack and the foreboding promise of what this campaign would mean.
We were going into the Eternal Night Forest, to seek out the headquarters of the Crimson Army, praying the Dark Fae guides wouldn’t kill us before that. Neither of us were too sure of our choices.
I tried not to let the faces of those I killed haunt my memories. I killed in self-defense, but the hunger of my magic simmering inside of me, leaves a sour taste on my tongue. I don’t like to kill—don’t want to. But my magic? It feeds off of it.
The Dark Fae guards pass me, feet silent, as they load up their black horses. They’ve only just agreed to lead us, yet they’re prepared.
Out of the corner of my eye, I catch the dark presence of the heir as he speaks to another commander, both of them deep in conversation.
I still don’t know what to do about him, either.
The male killed a man for me. He left his corpse as a sick present to assure me of my safety.
No one in the Coven would have done that. It would have been on me to defend myself and end the threat.
Why help me?
Tay leans over my shoulder as I glare at the heir, his back to us.
“You don’t like him.”
“Do you?”
My friend shrugs. “Like? No. Need? Yes.” He glances to our carriage, our four guards taking out sacks to tie to our Guardian horses. The forest is too thick for there to be too many carriages. The lords insist on using theirs, but we know better. “We’re needed to do this, Max. I can feel it.”
“Gods’ Will,” I mutter, cursing them above. “Are you sure this is the only way? We could wait here, or return to the Coven.” Go home to my hut where the Dark Far heir doesn’t look at me.
I hate that he does. He seems to see all my darkest parts, ones I keep hidden.
Tapping my nose, I huff. “The terms were very clear. They need a mender on this journey, and with my help, we secure allies. Dark Fae for support, Griffin’s gold to rebuild.
All we have to do is travel and keep everyone alive until the Crimson Army’s base is found and the army comes for them. Then? We go home.”
“And stick it to the elders.”
“That too.” He winks. “They didn’t approve of my mother taking you in years ago and I know they’ve never made it easy for you to live among us.
This is just a way for both of us to prove to them how valuable you are.
” Tay leans against the wall, scanning the crowd around us.
“We also know what it means for you to find them.”
Closure. Maybe some understanding of why. I’d settle for a few memories. But if something happened to him, the Coven would suffer and it’s too great of a risk to lose him in this.
“But—”
He holds up a hand. “No, I’m not sitting this out. I’ll be fine.”
There goes that argument.
“But I could—”
Tay shakes his head, eyes soft. “You have no use to this raid, other than being an advisor to me. They need me, Max. If you stay alone, you risk being discovered. We don’t need Humans—or on Cella’s crown, the Dark Fae to discover what you can do.”
Biting my lip, I close my mouth. Too bad they already do.
“You’re coming.” Serafina walks over to me, looking from my dusty boots to my leather riding pants and matching vest. “And yet, you’re not a warrior.”
“Unfortunately, not.” I shrug. “But we both want what’s best for Neevea.” I jerk my thumb up at Taylay.
He palms the sword on his hip as a warning to the female Fae.
“Hm, I see,” she makes a noncommittal noise and disappears, the crowd of men engulfing her lean frame.
Tay snorts next to me. “They’re a friendly bunch. If we keep this up, we’ll make friends in no time.”
Snorting, I gesture for the Witch to walk in front of me. “Friends. Right.”
Swinging into my saddle, our guards surround us and the remaining lords take to their places. The Dark Fae, with their dozens of guards, take the front, a black cloud of covered faces and heads as we head out of the palace’s grounds.
It’s a long journey to the cursed forest, along sturdy roads that travel over Griffin’s vast lands.
As we pass smaller Human villages, people come out to wave and stand watch.
Clearly, word has spread to these people, of the volunteers going out into the woods, to hunt the Crimson Army, to bring them to justice. For Neevea.
Something doesn’t sit right with me; these villagers are not starving. They’re clean, heathy, with nice clothing.
“Aren’t they supposed to be hungry?” I ask Tay as the village disappears behind us. Lowering my voice, I say, “They looked happy. Healthy. Didn’t Griffin say he sent people out to find more land? That his people won’t last?”
Tay’s brows furrow, thinking. “That could have been a home to a lord’s peerage. Those close to a lord can reap benefits, like status, money. Food, even.”
“Tay,” I drawl, looking around. “Something feels… off, about the king’s reasoning.”
He nods. “I understand, but that’s not for us to debate. We have a job to do.”
“Taylay—”
“Max,” he cuts off, mouth frowning. “Leave it. We need to focus on our task ahead and not speculate.”
Raising a brow, my magic flickers up, amped by the irritation lining my gut. When does he speak to me so harshly?
“Not speculate about a Human king whose people are the very reason that we are so divided?” Tay glares at me as I continue.
“You and I both know the Humans started the Great War. They’re the reason we don’t rebuild together.
Why we’ve all stayed isolated. How can you not worry about his motivations? ”
“Because I choose to believe in hope,” he snaps. “Because I choose to believe in his good character.”
Scoffing, I look away. “Then you’re naive.” Shaking my head, I fight the magic that wants to reach for his blood. “Naivety doesn’t suit you.”
“I would say suspicion doesn’t suit you,” he mutters, “but that would be lying.”
The silence falls around us, as I focus on the steady beat of horse clops, ignoring the call of my magic in my ears. It wants to attack Tay for the disrespect, but I don’t let it go. Instead, I fasten my mental shields, shove the magic deep inside my soul and keep my mouth shut.
It’s dusk when we break for camp on the edge of the forest, dark lush trees blocking the setting sun. Here, the road ends with overturned roots and wide trunks blocking our path. Inside, the forest is dark, silent, with no birds, no insects making noise, too afraid to do so.
“We stop here,” the heir calls, dismounting his horse. “From here, we must pick through the forest. No one goes off alone. No one leaves the safety of the group.”
Those amber eyes land on me and I shift, uncomfortable with the attention.
Leaving my saddle, the blood thumps loudly, just once in my ears. It’s a heavy drum, telling me something is there—bigger than a Human. Could it be a beast the Fae spoke of?
It’s watching us, whatever it is. And it’s eyes don’t stray from me.
A trickle of fear drips into my belly as I gather my tent supplies and bedroll, moving toward the far edge of the forest, away from the volunteers and their community fires. Before I go too far, Tay grabs my arm. “That’s not a good idea.”
Glaring into his face, I jerk away. “It’s also not smart to ally ourselves with someone who could kill us.”
Sighing, he gestures to the crowd. “I know you’re itching for a fight, because that’s who you are. But this is not the place.” Dropping his voice. “Besides, out of everyone here? Only one person could kill us and it’s not the king.”
I wince as if he’s made me bleed.
“The Fae said to stay together. That means, not taking a spot too far away.”
Scoffing, I step away. “It’s either I sleep by myself in the corner of the woods, or the raid is killed during one of my nightmares. You remember what that’s like, don’t you?”
My friend freezes, memories assaulting him. It happened when we were children— my powers reacted to my fear when I dreamt of my village burning, and Tay was sliced open. Only his quick thinking and magic kept him alive.
I moved into my own hut after that.
“Don’t go off in the middle of the night,” he commands. “I’ll make my tent near yours, just in case.”
Stepping around him, I move to the far tree, watching as he goes to the lords to divide up tasks.
I assumed the Dark Fae, being the guides, would see to sorting it out. Apparently, they’re not going to help Humans more than needed.
“When Fee said you were on the raid,” Kaden says behind me, leaning against a large oak as I jump, hand to my chest, “I thought she was joking. But then, I thought better of it.”
“Thought better of it?” I echo, twisting to tie my tent high. “You thought I would be too scared to come?”
His amber eyes flicker with amusement, glancing to my hands and back.
“The opposite actually.” He pushes off the tree, standing by my side as I work.
“You seem like the type to always help. Even when it’ll get you killed.
So of course, when a raid has been organized, and it will end in almost-certain death?
I knew you’d jump at the chance to join. ”
Pulling the hood over my head, I glare at him. “You make me sound reckless.”
He smirks. “Reckless? No. Compelled to be seen as good? Perhaps.”
“I’m not so pathetic.”
“I don’t believe those words ever came out of me mouth.”
Turning, I jab a finger into his chest. “I’m here because the Blackwoods Coven signed an agreement. Same as the Dark Fae. I’m fulfilling my obligation and then returning home. Far away from you.” And the secrets he keeps—of me, of my magic.
Distance is better.
Kaden holds up a finger, tapping my lips twice as if to quiet me. My cheeks flush as anger surges through me. The nerve of this male.
“Last time I checked, Taylay signed the agreement. He’s from the Blackwoods Coven. And you?” His eyes rake over me and I hunker into my cloak, willing him not to see much. “Well, you, little kitten, aren’t of the Blackwoods Coven, are you?”
It shouldn’t hurt for him to say what everyone has always said. I’m not a Blackwoods Coven Witch, I don’t belong there. I’m not one of them.
Rubbing my lips together, I avoid his gaze as his lips brush my ear.
“When you were a child in these woods,” he begins, words soft, “were you injured?”
Startled, I jerk back, mouth parting. “What?”
Those keen eyes see every tell. From my surprise down to my closed fists. This close and I still can’t hear his blood—my magic doesn’t rise to protect me. And it should—he has the means to destroy me.
“Interesting.” He tilts his head, and it reminds me of a beast tracking prey. “An injured child, I assume bleeding, and no beasts came to you?” He smirks. “Very interesting.”
Looking to my tent, the heir frowns, ignoring my paling face. “You can’t stay here.”
“That’s not up to you.” I tug the tent, the point sharp. At least I can do this much right.
“As the resident guide and only being who knows what’s in this forest, it is.” He pulls on my cords as if it undo it and I slap his hand away. “You need protection.”
“Taylay will stay beside me.”
“In your tent?” His nose wrinkles as if disgusted. “We both know the Witch is big but protection, he is not.”
“Not in my tent,” I gripe, throwing my bedroll inside. “And what happened to your rule? Never go anywhere alone. I’m not alone over here.”
But I am away from the raiders and therefore, everyone is safe.
He frowns deeply, brows furrowed. “I know a great many things. Including things about this forest. And it’s not safe for you to be over here, with the Witch or not.” He scans the crowd, waving over a guard. “We’ll move you closer to our site—”
Pulling my dagger, I hold the blade to his throat, taking care not to draw blood. I don’t want to tempt my magic. Not here, not in front of the Humans.
“You will not touch my things,” I command.
“And you will stay away. I don’t know if you’re aware of this, heir,” I murmur, elongating his title, “but I am more than capable of protecting myself. I’ve done it since I was a child, and I will continue to protect myself.
” I edge the dagger closer. “We both know what I am and what I can do. Do not insult me by claiming I am a defenseless woman.”
If I expected him to be annoyed at my refusal, at my defiance, I was wrong. He smiles wide, glinting fangs in the shadows, hands raised high in surrender.
“Ferocious and vicious,” he purrs, taking one step back. “I know exactly what you are, kitten. What you can do. And that is exactly why you should be protected in these woods. And there’s only one being who can do it.”
Scoffing, I flick my dagger up. “Let me guess: you?”
He winks.
“Unless you want my dagger inside your throat, you’ll leave me alone.” A twig snaps behind me, but my eyes never leave the heir. “Go.”
The heir smirks, bowing his head just enough to show me respect. “When they come for you, remember, I offered my help.”
“I don’t need your help.” I don’t. What I need is to keep him away and finish this journey without being discovered. I can’t do that if he gets too close.
“We’ll see about that.” He turns on his heel, glancing over his shoulder. “Sleep tight, pet.”
I don’t dare drop my weapon until he’s across the way. When I do, my fingers tremble.