Page 180 of A Flame of the Phoenix

Nik forced her to look at him with fingers around her chin. His expression was firm. “You did what you had to, and you’ve done a brilliant job here.”

She didn’t know if that was true. They may have wiped out a few legions of Mordecai and Dakodas’s army, but it was just a fraction of their numbers.

Tauria patted her bodice, pulling out scrunched parchments she’d managed to swipe from Mordecai’s room before he brought her here after the rebel ambush.

“We might have more insight into their planned movements,” she said, examining the contents.

Nik’s lips pressed to her head. “Absolutely brilliant,” he muttered softly.

When they retreated to the castle, Tauria didn’t know how she felt. It was like the darkness still clung to the corners of the walls. They’d won the battle and reclaimed Fenstead’s fortitude, but the war to come still lingered heavily.

Tauria sat, letting Edith fashion a sling for her arm, though she felt it unnecessary. Nik filled her in on all that had happened since they’d parted. Her eyes welled at hearing about his short reunion with Faythe. She pined after her friend so deeply. While they were fighting to get Reylan back, and they would all reunite in High Farrow, Nik said they had one more mission before they headed there.

Lycus approached to inform them, “It’s going to take time to push the dark fae out of the kingdom completely, but we have a great stronghold now.”

That was a relief to hear. She had enemy plans to take back to the others, and her people had a beacon of hope for their kingdom to be purged of the evil that had grown for too long.

“What happened to Mordecai?”

“We didn’t see him on the field.”

Tauria sighed. She hoped she’d made an impact on his reputation by humiliating him and wiping out his legions in Fenstead, but clearly, he still had allies when she’d left him perfectly skewered on roots.

“I trust you’ll lead our forces well to continue our efforts,” Tauria said.

Lycus nodded fiercely.

Her gaze slipped to Nik. “What is next for us? Dakodas’s ruin isn’t here.”

Nik pursed his lips, and she detected a shift of nerves in him. “Did your father ever mention another lover? Another…child, perhaps?”

Tauria stood when Edith was finished. She frowned at the odd question. “No. Of course not. He was a great father and a loyal partner to my mother.”

“I have no doubt,” Nik said. His tension grew uncomfortable. He led her into a walk down the hallway for a little more privacy. “This would have been before you arrived. Before he became devoted to your mother and you.”

“What are you trying to say, Nik?”

Tauria had to lean back against the wall as he explained.

A half-sister.

The fae that had been with Tarly…

Tauria was haunted by the truth. She didn’t know what it meant…what it might change. Would Nerida want to stake a claim on the Fenstead throne? Nik spoke of her fondly, which gave Tauria some comfort. The fae healer and Waterwielder didn’t even want her own Lakelarian throne, it seemed.

“You really think our abilities together can get into Hilia’s Cave?” Tauria asked. The task sounded monumental, but the reward if there was a dagger—theSpellthief—inside meant it was certainly worth trying.

Nik took her hands, looking at her fondly. “I believe you can do anything, Tauria Silverknight.”

He slipped a ring onto her finger. No—he’d returned her marital band, his mother’s ring, but now it held stronger meaning than their engagement. Tauria slipped a look across, but Lycus and the others were occupied in conversation. Nik kissed her.

“No one knows yet,” she whispered against his lips.

Nik smiled, caressing his knuckles down her cheek. “I want everyone to know you are my wife, Tauria.”

Tauria and Nik had wed in private before they’d conspired to fool Mordecai and left High Farrow. If one of them fell, the other would have rightful claim over both High Farrow and Fenstead thrones. They’d wanted that security. For themselves… Tauria couldn’t wait to truly have their wedding celebration with all their friends.

She was admiring her ring when Edith bounded over.

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