Page 140 of Duskbound

"I have to return to Sídhe." I looked at each one of them individually. "If we want any chance of winning this war against the King, we need to start by unraveling the lies he's woven throughout the Isle."

"You want to go back?" Effie's voice carried disbelief. "After everything that's happened?"

"That's suicide," Theron cut in. "You can't just walk back into?—"

I pulled out the compacts Raven had given me, turning them over in my hands. "I have friends there—contacts. People who might listen." I held up the mirrors. "People who could help us expose the truth. People on theinside."

Aether stepped towards me, his eyes burning. "This was not a part of the plan," he nearly growled.

Dannika rounded his side. "Your Grace, I'm afraid we cannot allow you to do that, as noble as it sounds."

I took a careful step back. "There are blood oaths. Sworn by anyone who enters the Guard. They keep everyone within it muzzled, unable to speak about anything that happens in the West. As long as they stay in-tact, we'll be facing an army of thousands every time we go across the rip." I scanned the group, determination set in my tone. "And now they have an advantage we didn't plan for. The breathing tonics."

Aether's gaze shifted from burning rage to slight consideration, but he still crossed his arms over his chest, glaring at me with narrowed eyes.

"Respectfully, Dannika. I'm not asking for your permission. I'm telling you what I'm doing. And if anyone tries to stop me?—"

"Fine," Aether growled, and something sliced through me. I opened my mouth, and closed it.

"You can't be serious…" Tamir managed, peeking out from behind Dannika.

Theron stepped forward. "She's the future of our realm, this is a ridiculous idea."

"She also no longer answers to us. To Dannika or Urkin." Aether's eyes locked onto mine, and although I could tell he was not overjoyed by my sudden announcement, understanding flickered across them. "If this is what she wants, then none of us can stop her." He paused, coming to stand beside me. "But I'm going with you."

Murmurs ran through the rest of the group as I turned to him. "Are you sure?" I asked.

"I already told you." His voice was low, dangerous. "I'm with you. Always."

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

Vexa pulledme into a hug that nearly crushed my ribs. "I still think you're insane," she muttered, but her arms tightened. "Try not to get yourself killed."

When she finally released me, Effie was there, tears already forming in her eyes. "We just got you back," she said, wrapping her arms around me. "And now you're walking straight into their territory again."

"I'll be fine." I tried to sound more confident than I felt. The weight of what I was about to do pressed against my chest—return to Sídhe, to the Guard I'd once learned to be proud of.

Vexa's violet eyes narrowed at Aether. "You better bring her back in one piece."

His jaw tightened, but he gave a slight nod. I watched as the others mounted their Vördr, the arcanite secured between them in makeshift harnesses. The crystals' white glow pulsed steadily, a reminder of what we'd accomplished. What we still had to do.

As they took to the sky, the reality of my choice settled over me. I was choosing to return to the realm I'd been taken from, to face the very people I'd once defended. But watching the Umbradisappear into the darkness, their forms growing smaller against the stars, I knew I'd made the right choice.

"We should find a better place to make camp," Aether said, scanning the darkened landscape. "Somewhere more defensible."

I nodded, already moving toward Tryggar. The silver Vördr lowered his massive form, allowing me to climb onto his back with far more grace than my first attempts. A small victory, but one that made me smile despite everything.

Aether mounted Nihr beside me, and we took to the sky, keeping low enough to study the terrain beneath us. Moonlight caught the waves in the distance, and I realized we were nearing the coast. As we flew closer, a cliff came into view, its face dropping sharply to a sandy beach below.

"There," I called out, pointing to the ledge. The elevation would give us a clear view of any approach, and the ocean at our backs meant one less direction to watch.

Aether guided Nihr down, and Tryggar followed, his wings sending bursts of cool air across my skin as we landed. The cliff offered a strange sort of beauty—wild and untamed, like everything else in this place. Below, waves crashed against the shore in a steady rhythm that felt almost hypnotic.

I slid off Tryggar's back and began unloading the supplies Raven had managed to find for me—a few blankets, some dried meat, a worn leather pouch filled with basic survival gear.

Before I could finish, Aether appeared at my side, his hands already gathering the supplies from my arms. "I'll handle this."

I couldn't help but notice the flex of muscle in his forearms as he collected everything, the way his shoulders stretched beneath his leather uniform.

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