Page 14 of The Kingdom of Flames and Ash

Wind continued to pick up, causing my aching wings to sway in the breeze while fire sprouted from Seelie hands, burning the feet of my people. The earth shook, forcing some of them to fall.

If we didn’t stop the fighting, a lot of my people would die. Our magic was weaker because we hadn’t had access to our true land for so long.

I removed the unfamiliar sword I wore at my hip, ready to kill any of my people who didn’t obey if that was my only choice. My wings throbbed, indicating that I wouldn’t be able to keep pushing them like this much longer. Between being starved while a prisoner in Seelie and then the brutal battle and injuries here, I wasn’t sure how much longer I’d have any strength.

The clanging of swords signaled that the battle had intensified. As if the combatants were attempting to get in a last bit of fighting.

When Struan reached a dark-haired man who’d positioned himself closest to the castle, he stabbed the man in the arm so he couldn’t string his bow effectively again. The other two guards followed suit, but the group of rebels removed their daggers and prepared to fight against their own kind.

I went for the one farthest from the prison, flying over the heads of others who didn’t pay me any attention, prepared to make my point. When I reached the man, he spun around with his bow but paused when he realized who was there.

At least he had some respect for my position and title, but that wasn’t enough, and he seemed like the leader. “You didn’t obey.” I swung my blade, slicing through his neck.

I spun to attack the woman beside him, but she dropped her sling and raised her hands. “We were only trying to avenge the people who were taken from us bythem. The exact vow you’ve made every day since we arrived on this blasted island.”

My heart cracked, realizing that, while my intent had been to give my people hope and the will to survive; instead, I’d made them reckless. I didn’t care if the Seelie perished, but the person who meant the most to me in the entire realm did. If it weren’t for her, I would, without a doubt, be fighting alongside them—even if my father had killed my mother, the Seelie chose to bring us here where so many of my people had starved to death. Thatdecision had caused a lot of suffering and loss for us. “I know, but right now, we have a bigger enemy to face.”

Her bottom lip trembled. “The dragons?”

They would’ve seen Prince Pyralis come and kill seven of us without even blinking before flying away with his hostage.

At my nod, she shook her head. “But we might never get another chance.”

The fighting continued, but when I heard the creak of the double doors, I had no doubt who it was.Lira, please tell me you’re in our bedchamber.

You’re not my father, thorn. I don’t have to listen to you.

I glanced over my shoulder and watched her step onto the stairs just above the fighting. Several of the Seelie guards flew toward her, prepared to protect her.

She didn’t wait for them. Instead, she put her fingers into her mouth and made the strangest noise I’d ever heard. It was loud and piercing, making my eardrums want to burst.

The noise cut through the battle, causing the fighters to pause and search for the new threat.

“Does everyone want to die now?” Lira arched a brow and placed her hands on her hips. “Or do some of you want to live for eternity like you planned?”

Needing to be there to protect her, I flew toward her. Thewhooshof my wings was the only noise besides her voice.Sprite,pleasego inside. It’s not safe for you out here.

Nor is it for you.She lifted her chin higher and continued, “We are all fae, and we shouldn’t be fighting against one another. Each one of us has been a victim of the other, and we’re going to continue that cycle if we don’t reach peace now.”

The Seelie guards landed in front of her, spreading their wings to protect her from the crowd, but my mate pushed through so the Unseelie could see her.

Blighted abyss. Get back inside the castle!

“Of course you want to protect them. They are your people!” a man shouted, raising his sword in the air.

My stomach churned. The man wanted to keep our people upset so they would fight once again.

“You are too.” She straightened, and discomfort from her wings pulsed through the bond. “And the Seelie could easily kill all the Unseelie. They only need Tavish alive in order for magic to remain stabilized. Is that the choice you want to give them?” She arched a brow, scanning the crowd. “Despite every one of you wanting me to die during the gauntlet, I’m doing this now because I care about you and the future we’ll share with each other.”

The Seelie kept their swords lifted in case the Unseelie attacked again. I recognized that, at the moment, the Unseelie were the problem, and I hated it. The Seelie were here only because Lira’s parents cared about her. They could’ve come in, launching a war to retrieve her.

As I approached, the Seelie guards tensed, but Lira lifted a hand and said, “He’s my mate. He’s always welcome to stand beside me.”

My heart stuttered, making me wonder once again if having her near meant that I wasn’t immortal anymore. Immortals didn’t have health issues, but when it came to Lira, the mere smell of her left me feeling strange… and I wouldn’t change it for all of Ardanos.

I landed beside her, and she took my hand, once again emphasizing that the two of us were one. We would fight to be with one another.

“We need to learn to trust one another. I understand it will take time, but maybe we can be the stronger species and put down our weapons first, then work to bridge the gap between us.”

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