Page 16 of The Kingdom of Flames and Ash

LIRA

The strong jolt of surprise that pulsed through Tavish and me had my heart racing. Knowing that Tavish wasn’t far off from my own injured state, thanks to the continued use of his wings, had me hurrying forward to prepare to face the adversary together… as we should do.

I ducked under his wing, ready to claw someone’s eyes out, when my attention landed on Finola.

My breath caught, and I realized that I hadn’t seen her since the day I’d been captured and taken back to Seelie.

Her normally light-tan complexion was a few shades paler, and there were dark circles under her deep-set eyes. She wore a prison outfit—a light-gray tunic and holey leather pants—which hung off her, and her fine, straight black hair was unkempt and greasy.

The strong guard who had protected me and taken care of me countless times while I’d been a prisoner appeared almost unrecognizable.

The icky feeling of disgust slugged through our bond, but that didn’t stop my feet from propelling me forward. I hurried to Finola and wrapped my arms around her. Moving my backmuscles caused my wings to throb, but I didn’t blazing care. “Thank Fate you’re okay. I didn’t see you when Eldrin put us all in the cell.”

Finola stiffened slightly before returning my embrace. “He placed us in the back near the doors to the arena.”

The stench of feces and urine hit my nose, confirming that she’d been kept in the worst part of the prison. But that wasn’t what had me relaxing my hold on her. It was how frail she felt… like she’d been starved. Like my parents had done to Tavish.

“Finola, I should’ve known you’d been taken hostage.” Tavish patted her arm and continued, “I’ll do whatever is necessary to ensure you get justice.”

Unease prickled the base of my neck at seeing him touch another woman. I ignored the sensation because he was concerned about the guard, as he should be. I couldn’t let the craze of the fated-mate bond turn me into someone I wasn’t. I had no doubt that Tavish had no interest in anyone but me. And if he did, I’d happily cut his dick off.

He dropped his hand awkwardly, and his discomfort seeped through the bond, making my irrational possessiveness ease a bit.

A tingle along my spine made me realize we were being watched, and I turned to see Mother, Father, Mom, and Dad standing in front of the now-closed double doors. Father’s forehead was lined with confusion while Mother tilted her head, examining the three of us.

“I merely want Eldrin to receive the punishment he deserves for everything he’s done to the Unseelie.” Finola bowed, taking time to acknowledge both of us.

“The future is set for him. Don’t fret.” Tavish’s disgust returned in full force.

I had no doubt seeing Finola in this state would haunt Tavish, especially knowing that Eldrin had been planning tobetray him all along. I could only imagine how I’d feel believing that someone had saved my life and protected me when they’d been plotting to dethrone me the entire time.

Father cleared his throat, and all three of us turned in his direction. Once he had the audience he wanted, he rubbed his hands together. “I understand that we’re all emotional, but the disagreement outside solidified that everyone in Unseelie needs rest, including the three of you.”

I placed my hands on my hips, ready to argue with Father. He’d just taken the Unseelies’ weapons away, and Eiric had been captured. We didn’t have time to rest. We needed to find a way to get my sister back before the dragons injured her. “Father—” I started, wanting to remind him that he wasn’t king here.

He lifted a hand. “Lira, just let me finish. Please?” His words softened in the end. “I know I was hard on you back in Seelie and didn’t listen to your wants or needs. It took you freeing two people I’d claimed as prisoners and leaving with them to realize that I wasn’t completely right. We did decide to send you to Earth, though it was out of love. However, I expected my little girl to return. And you’re not a little girl anymore. All I’d like to do is offer a suggestion.” His cobalt eyes lightened as sincerity shone through them. “I’d like to try again, and if we can see a way to free you from being betrothed to that ashbreath, then I’d like to help.”

The thick walls around my heart that I’d constructed while in Seelie began to shake. Father reminded me of the man I remembered through childlike eyes; a parent who’d cared for his daughter and wanted the best for her.

Tavish wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me to his side. He nodded. “I’d like to listen to what you have to say.”

Tears burned my eyes. Tavish was trying to bridge the gap between them as well.

Father’s brows lifted, but then he pressed his lips together. “Your cousin clearly desires to feel significant and in control. Even though we ignored you during your imprisonment with us, you didn’t react as expected.” He winced a little but continued, “However, I suspect that your cousin would react predictably.”

Thumb rubbing my side, Tavish took a deep breath and said, “So you’re suggesting that we ignore him. Make him believe we aren’t interested in hearing what he wants to say.”

Displeasure oozed through the bond at that suggestion, but Tavish didn’t react. Instead, he seemed to mull over the words.

Even though I agreed with Father’s plan, I was more desperate than ever to save my sister. “There’s too much at stake.”

“You mean Eiric?” Mother asked.

“Of course.” The walls seemed to close in on me. “I don’t know what they’ll do to her once they realize that she’s notme.” As much as I loved Eiric and what she was willing to do to keep me safe, I feared I might hit her for putting herself in danger like that if we managed to get her back safely. “She’sjustas important as me.”

She absolutely isn’t,Tavish connected, his hands tightening on my waist.If you were with the dragon prince, I wouldn’t be standing here now. Eldrin could’ve had the Unseelie as long as I didn’t lose you.

My chest warmed from his affection, and I replied,I would feel the same way if the situation were reversed, but Tavish, Eiric means the world to me. If something happens to her because—Pressure built tight in my chest from a sob that wanted to release.

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