Page 43 of A Flame of the Phoenix

Tauria flicked the lever on her staff, extending it to midway. As she let go of the rail and fell, she twisted it between both hands, unlocking the full length, and conjured the will of the wind through it to land in an elegant brace.

Before the air stopped swirling, Berron hurried his steps to meet her. They collided, and it took everything in her not to break into sobs with the welcome embrace of home. In his strong arms, Tauria realized he was the closest she had left to a father figure.

“Oh, my dear Tauria. Just as we’ve been planning a movement of infiltration to reach you within those castle walls,” he said.

They released each other, and she was overcome with love staring into his deep brown eyes inside dark skin, which had aged with more lines since last she’d seen him.

He cupped her cheek as concern pulled between his wiry brows. “This might not be the best time for you to be here. There is much unrest with your arrival.”

Glancing over his shoulder, she saw the other four fae leading this resistance certainly didn’t seem pleased to see her, but Saki cast her a small smile, approaching and pulling her into an embrace.

“Welcome home,” Saki said, her voice a gentle song of her homeland.

It was the first time anyone had said those words. Words she’d longed to hear for a lifetime. Once again she struggled to hold herself together.

“I found our queen wandering recklessly through the east town,” Tallia said.

Tauria turned, finding her leaning with arms crossed against a pillar, fiddling a new metal star between her fingers, which Tauria eyed warily.

Someone called out, “How do we know she isn’t a spy for the Nether lord?” Their bitterness wasn’t subtle.

Another sneered. “She’s only here as his bride after all.”

Berron’s eyes slipped to her with a wince. “There are many questions regarding your unexpected arrival. With all the rumors of Transitioned dark fae, your near marriage to Tarly Wolverlon, and your possible mating with Nikalias, you’ll understand we have only snippets of information.”

“I want to explain all. You deserve no less, and I have nothing to hide,” Tauria said, loud enough for everyone to hear. She looked up, wandering around the circumference and taking in the many frightened, angry, and upset faces of her people. Those who hadn’t given up on Fenstead. It was now her chance to convince them not to give up onheras their queen.

Tauria Stagknight told her story. No one disturbed her, and she watched many emotions pass through the people who listened to her every word. She told them what had happened the day she fled. She told them about her mate, Nik, and about their dreams for High Farrow and Fenstead. She spoke of the war far beyond the belief it was one kingdom responsible for their terror. Tauria explained as best she could about the Goddesses in their realm and everything she and her friends had done so far toward eradicating the greatest threat their continent had ever seen.

When she finished, Tauria retired from the center of attention.

“You did well,” Berron when she reached him at the side of the floor.

All her tales and information had left the crowd chatting among themselves, absorbing it all and deciding whether they trusted her word.

“That’s still up for judgment,” she said.

Tauria couldn’t be certainshewas safe in being here. If there was even one potential traitor or someone who opposed her, they could easily put her in peril if word of her appearance at a resistance reached Mordecai.

Movements in war were never without risk.

“I need to be getting back,” Tauria said.

“I’ll go with you, just to the entry point,” Saki offered.

“When will we next see you?” Berron asked.

Tauria’s gaze slipped to Tallia, who hadn’t moved from where she was leaning against the pillar. When their eyes met, whatever she read in Tauria had her straightening up, a protest lining her face.

“I don’t think it’s safe for me to wander out too many times, but I think I have an idea,” Tauria said.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Zaiana

Her vision occasionally blurred, but Zaiana blinked hard and focused on her footing. She wouldn’t lie in a sorry state a moment longer. Not with the battle won and movements being made without her.

Under her leathers, her skin was still sticky with heat, yet her teeth were bashing at the winter chill that swirled in from the open arched hall she stormed through. She should have equipped herself with a damn cloak. If this was only the beginning of winter, they’d be bracing for a long and miserable season.

---