Page 110 of Destined for the Fae King

But the sinking feel in my chest says I already know. He’ll go to his brother, to face the enemy head-on a fight. An enemy that has somehow managed to rip down the wards. It shouldn’t be possible, yet it’s happened.

“I felt the wards tear and break.” He clutches at his chest. “If they can do that, this is no unorganized and unprepared rabble. I will be needed at the front.”

Tears burn at the corners of my eyes. I’m about to protest when we turn the corner and a familiar figure looms just ahead.

“Thank holy Aine,” Tharin says as he catches sight of us. Gold-plated armor hugs his form. I might not have noticed him if he had been wearing the helm tucked under one arm. “I’ve been looking for you everywhere.”

He and Lysandir meet, clasping shoulders in a friendly embrace.

“I need you to take Mira to the others,” Lysandir says before he releases his friend. “Keep her safe for me and watch after her as you have these weeks.”

Tharin opens his mouth like he might protest but then closes it and nod. “With my life, my prince.”

Don’t leave. Don’t go.The words are right there on the tip of my tongue. But I know no matter what I say, he will. Begging will only make the inevitable harder.

So, when Lysandir turns from Tharin to me, I say, “Stay safe. I love you.”

Lysandir cups my cheek and pulls me close. “I love you too.”

He seals his words with a kiss. Tears leak from my eyes and slide down my cheeks. I taste their salt as he breaks the kiss.

“I’ll come back to you, Mira.” The same promise he made before, and he kept it then.

He drags his gaze up and down my body, in one scalding last look, before he turns and races down the hallway alone.

Tharin dons his helm and then wraps an arm around my shoulders. “Let’s get you to the dowager.”

When I arrive, all of the other women have already gathered. Elaine, or someone, must have filled them in on the state of affairs because I’m met with excitement and messages of congratulations. It’s a bit embarrassing really, but their support warms me too. Having them near brings me comfort and strength, more than I anticipated, especially given the horror of war unfolding just outside the walls.

The only one who doesn’t approach me is Katherine. She completely refuses to look at me, instead lingering near the corner with her back turned. It’s fine. I’d rather not deal with her right now anyway.

“Ignore her,” Cora whispers to me. “We’re glad you’re here and safe.”

“We’ll pray for your prince and all of the others,” Gabriella assures me.

I guess that’s what they expect us to do. Pray and remain safe like poor little damsels. Not that I know how to wield a sword. And I certainly don’t have magic or anything else to fight with. I’d be a liability. This is the best place for me. But still, waiting, feeling helpless, is the worst. It’d be safer for us to leave, but we can’t, not bonded to the king. It would hamper him too much if we were to be far away. The bonds would pull at him, being a terrible distraction and possibly impairing his ability to fight. The only place for us to be is here, in this extra-warded area where it’s safest. But if the Unseelie can break through the wards protecting the territory, what’s to stop them from shattering these as well?

Just the guards, the ones who haven’t gone to join their king. Tharin has taken up residence inside the room, refusing to be anywhere else. Adeline’s guardsman Erymis is here too, and they’ve shared enough longing looks to draw multiple questioning glances from the others. Though I suppose that shouldn’t matter so much anymore if the king gives them leave to follow their hearts as he said.

Unable to sit still, I start to pace. It can’t have been long. Minutes, not hours. But each one drags like a day, and it’s already getting hard to block out the horrible possibilities that keep popping to mind.

I clutch Lysandir’s ring in my palm, savoring its warmth. Alive. Well, if not safe.

Zoe suddenly cries out. I whip around toward her. The guards grab for their swords. Her arm is outstretched before her, and she stares at it like the world’s biggest spider is crawling across her skin.

Something moves. But it’s not a spider.

Thin tendrils of black smoke lift from the bond mark around her wrist.

My own suddenly feels cold, as if someone with hands of ice grabbed me. I glance down in time to see little whisps of smoke rising from mine as well, bits of the bond lifting off my skin and vanishing.

“What’s happening!” Katherine has rushed toward the rest of us, her arm outstretched.

“Your Highness?” Cora says with a desperate glance at the dowager queen.

Elaine cries out, covering her mouth with her hand.

My stomach plummets. Breath comes short and quick.

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