Chapter 19
MAX
Woodland horses are a thing of unnatural grace. After having been on Coal Stallions, powerful beasts that are large, coiled muscle and with their ability to speed through lands quickly, I was unsure of riding other horses.
But like their counterparts, who can blend into the darkness and seem to jump ahead, these horses, aptly names Sunlight Mares, seem to move as quickly as the sun’s rays.
We travel the distance between the palace and in the In-Between in mere hours which took the better part of two days when we first arrived.
At my confused expression, leaping through the grounds with little care, Mal laughs at me and says, “My brother tends to be more cautious. These mares are meant to travel. They’re steady and true beasts.”
If only he had used the horses as intended, I wouldn’t have been locked into a dungeon before his arrival. Though, given who Aoife is, she would’ve found a way.
I didn’t mistake how she flaunted herself around my mate.
This pit of jealousy burns in my gut as I think of how she lowered her voice to address him, how she blinked her eyes as if to mesmerize him.
If not for the opaque dress that left little to the imagination, I would think that it was all in my head.
All of her hostility makes sense now. How she wanted me to bring Kaden back—but not survive. How she wanted him to live—but return alone. It would’ve been better for her if I did not live. She would have her chance.
Though, what chance is there, if he died due to the soul-bond?
But if all that is true, why still help me? So far, all the rituals and roses have helped us get this far.
Baris rides next to me, Kaden right in front. Mal and his guards surround us, with our guards further back. Though they protect us, Zeke keeping close, this is not their territory. They can only help when allowed.
At the farthest edges, the Hadeon follows, a menacing shadow.
“Are you certain?” Baris asks, keeping his voice low.
“Certain she is after my mate?” I scoff. “Yes. It’s evident.”
He hums, though doesn’t comment further. And that’s irritating.
“What do you know, old Fairy?” I glare and he stills, looking to the sky to avoid me. “You don’t seem to think that’s at all odd. And you still don’t think that’s the only issue?”
“I think that is one part of it,” he admits. “But Aoife always has a plan. Seducing the king is only one step in her plan.”
The horses clomp forward, rushing along the trees. The area not ruled by anyone—except my father’s family—is just over the ridge. Lowering my voice, I ask, “Any idea what her plan is?”
He’s silent. Not because he’s hiding something, but because he truly doesn’t know. Maybe he has an idea, a whim, but Aoife is smart. She could do anything.
That worries me. I saved Kaden. I broke the curse. My mate is whole, here, with us again. She should be happy—thrilled to have him back. He is the next King of the Shadowlands, the only chance we have at stopping Griffin.
But I saw her look when we left the throne room. The same look an enemy has before attacking in the middle of the night.
Baris is right—she’s plotting something. I’m sure it has something to do with the last Noire Rose. What could she be doing with that?
We cross into the In-Between and Mal takes charge. He directs his guards to fan out, locate any of Griffin’s men and to prepare for Lords. Apparently this is a usual route, and the Lords travel frequently through it.
“Hear anything?” Mal asks Kaden, swinging off the horse. Kaden follows, tilting his head.
His brow furrows. “No. My hearing isn’t as good as it used to be.”
A side effect of the curse being broken. Without the beast influencing him, he’s just a Fae with magic; still incredibly fast and able to hear further away, but no better than the rest of them. I wonder if it would tax on him.
Kaden helps me from the saddle, his hands resting on my hips longer than need be. “Are you alright?”
He nods, though his expression stays sour. “Fine.”
The bond between us flares. He’s disappointed at the change.
This will all take time to adjust. Kaden went from being a cursed prince, full of anger and spite, controlling a beast inside his soul with only a frayed tether of control.
Now, he is a Fae King, who is free but changed, completely, without the curse he was born into.
He’ll have to learn his limitations again. I feel for him. Just one more thing the curse took.
A shriek sounds from the distance and we turn as a unit, looking down the grassy valley. Trees encroach on each side, but there, further back, a body runs toward us.
I stumble as the ground shakes. Dozens of horses follow the man, pounding into the dirt as they give chase.
The guards pull their swords, and Kaden gestures to our Fae to do the same. Pushing me one step behind him, he holds his blade out, shadows twisting around the hilt like another pair of hands.
At my worried glance, he smirks. “Don’t worry, love. I’m in control.”
Thank the Gods.
Mal turns the sword in his hand, watching the Fae run. As he gets closer, it’s easy to see the fine clothes, the pointed boots, and the delicate frills along his neck. With his pale hair and bronze skin, he’s clearly Woodland. Most likely one of the lords we have to protect.
The soldier on the horse swings his broadsword at the lord’s neck, barely missing him.
“Want to help?” he asks Kaden. My mate smirks, sighing.
“I didn’t want to intrude.”
Shadows rise from the grass, curling masses of darkness that grow with each passing heartbeat. The edges turn serrated, and the soldiers stop, looking up in alarm. I can feel the thumping of fear in their veins, adrenaline spiking high.
Kaden tilts his head, and the shadows fall, angry thrashing waves that consume the soldiers whole. Their shouts are suffocated under the expanses of blackness, until there is nothing left. The valley goes silent once more.
Reid whistles while Fee nods once. “We should do that every time.”
“Where are the bodies?” The field is clean, minus the panting lord who looks ready to pass out.
“No idea. Seti’s Underworld I assume.” Kaden follows Mal to the lord, who collapses into the meadow. “And no, Fee. It takes too much energy.”
Her hands start to smoke. “Some of us have endless supply.”
“Some of us need to learn restraint.”
Helping the lord to his feet, Mal speaks to him in hushed whispers. Commanding two soldiers to handle the Fae, he comes back to us. “His caravan was destroyed. The soldiers are coming in waves, picking them apart. We’ll need to scout the area.”
We walk through the valley, spreading far and wide. We search through the brushes and in the open valley, looking for any signs of distress.
But the air is still, and the birds don’t chirp. Even the insects have rested and that strikes me.
Something is coming.
An echo of drums hits my ears, beating so wildly, so suddenly, I cover them and drop to my knees. I wasn’t expecting it—wasn’t prepared for the assault. Crying out, strong arms surround me, comforting me through the dizzying pain.
Campfire and spice hit my nose and I inhale. Kaden.
“Get ready!” he shouts. He knows what this means—reads the signs well. The guards move, and the Dark Fae crowd us. Fee steps in front, hands blazing, an effective shield while I breathe through the magic.
Appearing from the wilds are the Crimson soldiers. Mixed in the with red tunics are blue banners, golden shields and bright white horses. Griffin has moved away from hiding his activities—now the world knows he is the plague on this land.
He killed my mother.
Fresh fury heats my blood. This is the man who killed the only woman to love me unconditionally. She died protecting me because Griffin wanted the magic I possessed. He took everything from me in his quest to control the world.
His hunger for power has no end.
We barely have time to stand before arrows rain from the skies. Kaden puts up a shield, taking care to cover everyone. His eyes squint and his jaw clenches. It taxes him, too much energy to put that big of a covering on us, but he holds firm.
Fee uses the cover to fire. Her flames stretch across the separation, creating a living barrier of flame and smoke. Horses scream, men shout, and the arrows stop. The warrior princess smiles gleefully, thrilled at the carnage.
The shadows dissipate and we watch Mal direct his archers. The Woodland Fae don’t waste time, returning fire and many of the Humans fall. Spears are thrown, stabbing through Humans to the ground beneath. The tang of blood and sizzling flesh assaults my nose and I breathe through my mouth.
But I don’t waver. This is only one battle. I have to prepare for a war.
“Let them through,” I call to the Woodland Fae and he stops. Even Kaden turns to look at me, smoke billowing into our faces.
I’m reminded of the Kaden from the purification ritual. How they both have the same look in their eyes now—a need for blood, to fight and own their enemy. It worried me then, but I realize this is Kaden. He is ruthless in his technique. He’s always had to be.
“Let them through,” I say again. Now Fee looks at me, frowning. “I’ll take on what I can, and Kaden will do the rest. What’s left or we can’t handle, Fee can use her magic.”
This way, we don’t lose anymore guards. We hit them fast and return to the palace with little causalities.
“Impressive,” Kaden muses. Nodding at Mal, he commands, “Let them in.”
Mal curses under his breath and Fee extinguishes the fire to make a small opening. The narrow path only allows so many to come through at a time, bottling the soldiers. As they do, I let my magic fill my veins, the rising of a wave that wants to consume every heart.
It’s hungry. Locating the Humans’ hearts, my fingers crack and pop, knuckles distended and red. There is no pain, just the satisfying crush of hearts exploding in my ears.
The Humans drop, most of them in stages.
By the fourth one, my body sways and Kaden grabs me, keeping me upright. Blood drips from my nose, but I know I can do one more round. I can finish this.
“That’s enough, kitten,” he says against my temple. More Humans are coming but the numbers are dwindling. This is a good test of what the final battles will be like. “You’ve done enough.”
“I can still help.”
“Know your limits, love.” He kisses my cheek. “Know that you must rely on others to fight. Trust that everyone will do their part.”
“I do trust you,” I whisper. “But I’m the child in the prophecy. My job is to save the world.”
“Max,” he says, shaking his head. The Humans are coming closer, and swords begin to clash. There are just so many of them. How is this possible?
Kaden twists away as one slips beside us, slicing his shoulder to his elbow. I reach out, crushing his heart without a second thought, ignoring the flare of pain on my body. Sharing a bond is fun, until a battle puts you both at risk.
Panting, he holds me, fingers digging into my skin. “You saved me, a feat no one else could do. Let me help you save the world.”
At my determined but defeated nod, my mate turns back to the crowd, eyes pitch black. The shadows rise, like hands from the grave, and grip their ankles. Without another word, he lifts his chin and the shadows eat the soldiers, some screaming out in fear.
Wherever they go, they don’t come back.
Not many are left now. In one swoop, Kaden and I have almost ended the raid. Fee pouts, crossing her arms. “You didn’t leave me many.”
Laughing, I fall back into Kaden’s arms, lighter than I have in years. “My apologies. Can you handle what’s left?”
She rolls her eyes, a decidedly Fee act. “Please.”
The fire consumes the Humans, swallowing their shrieks and shouts into a blazing inferno. My fear for fire doesn’t stop me from admiring her. She only just received this gift and yet, she controls it better than anyone else here.
“Shall we?” Reid jerks a thumb. Behind the charred remains of people are bloodied Fae survivors and overturns carriages.
The guards take action, helping those with wounds, or saying a prayer for those who are dead.
Baris tends to a few cuts, still knowing how to treat injuries, and I’m amazed at his patience. Something I did not inherit.
Kaden stalks the ground, mind spinning, thinking. This is the Fae I love—seeing his mind work, calculate all possible scenarios. This is the male who will make a great king.
“This was pointless,” he growls, crossing his arms.
At my silence, he holds out his hand. “Why did Griffin send people here? There was nothing to take. I thought maybe it was to steal lords, but the Woodland Fae usually are not taken.”
“Maybe he’s changing tactics?”
“Or he was sent here.” He runs a hand through his black locks, aggravated. “That’s the only thing that does make sense. He was sent here. Maybe for something. Or a distraction.”
“You forget your history,” Baris says, walking to stop beside me.
“Such as?” Kaden prods.
“The Great War.” Baris draws lines in the scorched earth. Three circles, one inside the other. “The Humans, corrupted by a wicked Fairy, hunted the world for magic.” He draws lines between the circles. “They waged war against the species in order to take all the magic for themselves.”
“You’ll forgive me, Baris,” Kaden snaps, “but until I was born, magic was a myth. Until I met your daughter, I thought I was alone. So, I didn’t think the reason behind the war was true—only myths surrounding a war no one could remember.”
Baris shrugs, smiling. “Neith’s curse was well-placed. As such, you forgot magic and the root to the evil of the world. Now it’s coming back.”
“What does that have to do with the Humans being in the In-Between?”
My father sighs. “The Humans are forces of destruction. But they have a master.”
He stares at me, and waits. It only takes a moment for my eyes to widen, realization dawning like the rising sun.
Effy. She sent them here.
“They wanted to see what we could do,” Kaden surmises. He calls for our guards, Zeke rounding them up as he cradles his burnt arm. “This was a test. And I don’t want to be caught off guard when they decide to act on that information.”
“Agreed.” We all take to the saddles, the wounded given seats by the guards.
“We’ll head back to the Veridian Palace,” Kaden tell us, white knuckles holding the reins. “From there, we’ll make a plan to head home. Griffin is closer than we think. It’s only a matter of time before he attacks the Black Palace. And without us there, we are vulnerable.”
Relief swims in my gut, choking out all breath. I was afraid of staying here, trapped with Aoife, worried over Griffin. But thankfully, Kaden understands the concerns.
We’re finally going home.