Page 35 of The Kingdom of Flames and Ash

“It’s because of the fated-mate marks.” Mother gestured to our hands. “It’s made Pyralis obsessed with taking Lira, so she can’t be near Tavish.”

“Which was why I was going to say that I agree with King Erdan.” Tavish’s expression became strained. “Lira will be safer there than here with me.”

My head swiveled in his direction, and I gritted my teeth. “You’ve got to be joking right now.”

“Clearly, I’m not.” Tavish ran a hand down his face. “Because there isnothinghumorous about this. You don’t deserve to starve. And I refuse to selfishly keep you here, knowing that I can’t protect you. I’d rather you go back to Seelie where you can be happy and safe.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw shock on the faces of all four of my parents.

My own surprise changed into fierce determination. I wouldn’t leave. “We are stronger together. Youknowthis.”

Tavish’s sadness and regret panged through our bond. “Yes, you’re right, but not when we’re both starving and unable to fight. Sprite, this isn’t something I want. The selfish part of me wants to tell your father he can go choke on dirt.”

“Then that’s what we do because I don’t want to be anywhere you aren’t.” I pushed my heartbreak toward him. The fact that he could fathom me not remaining by his side shattered my heart into pieces.

He took my hands in his. The buzz of the connection sprang to life, but this time, it wasn’t comforting. This time, it felt like a taunt.

“Ripping my heart from my chest would be less painful than even considering you leaving here.” He cupped my face, his eyes turning a bright light gray. “But the only thing that hurts worse than that is imagining the dragons coming and taking youfromme. I love you too much for you to suffer such a fate, so I’m willing to let you go temporarily while I force Eldrin to inform me how to get you out of the blasted vow with Pyralis.”

My eyes burned as tears filled them, clouding my vision. I understood his point, but he’d failed to mention one thing. “Pyralis tried to take me from Gleann Solas already. And what if he comes here and is unable to locate me—who’s to say the dragons won’t harm you, especially if he’s determined to keep our bond from interfering? I might as well stay here.”

“Lira… Pyralis wasn’t able to take you from our home. He managed to take Eiric from here.” Mom moved beside me and placed a hand on my shoulder. “Besides, you being here could make things worse for King Tavish. If Pyralis sees the way you two fight for each other, he’ll no doubt try to take him prisoner. If you two aren’t together, he won’t feel nearly as threatened by your mate.”

Blighted abyss. Mom knew all too well how to reason with me. Still, it didn’t feel natural to be away from Tavish.

Even though my pain didn’t lessen, my determination did ease. If leaving Tavish would protect him from the cruelty of the dragons, who was I to be selfish and stay? Yet, my heart and soul screamed that separating from him was a bad idea. “It doesn’t feel right, and the Unseelie will still starve. Tavish is my fated mate, and I don’t want to leave him. Being away from him hurts, and it won’t fix the real problem.”

Mother and Father glanced at one another with unreadable expressions as Dad strolled closer to me.

“Neither will doing nothing to retrieve Eiric right this moment, but we’re waiting so we have a better chance of being successful when the time comes,” he argued.

Screams rose from the village, causing my heart to drop into my stomach. Seelie guards flew from the edge of the land in that direction in case of trouble.

Our group glanced at each other, and before I even registered what was happening, Tavish had me in his arms and was flying that way.

I wrapped my arms around his neck, holding tight to him, needing him more than ever. The threat of us separating, even if it was temporary, made panic claw deep into my chest. Still, I didn’t want the little bit of time we had left to be full of dread.You didn’t leave me behind this time.

I made a promise to you.He arched a brow.Taking you toward danger doesn’t come naturally to me, but I knew you’d fly after me if I didn’t take you.

I probably would’ve begged Dad to carry me instead.But the point was made. I would’ve refused to be left behind and would’ve flown if I had to.

More screams rose as we flew over the roofs of the village. A group of about a hundred Unseelie were on the castle steps, banging on the double doors.

It reminded me of riots I’d seen on TV back on Earth. The Seelie guards closed in on the crowd, ready to use their magic and weapons, but the people’s focus wasn’t on them.

The doors opened, revealing Caelan, Struan, and several other guards.

“What is the meaning of this?” Caelan demanded, a few pieces of his dark-blond hair falling from his bun.

A man with skin as pale as snow lifted a fist. “We want to know why the news of the food shortage is being kept from us. Where is King Tavish?”

Tavish tensed.How do they know already? I told both guards to keep this information quiet.

Do you think they’re both trustworthy?I didn’t know either guard well. One of them might have purposely let it slip or perhaps had been asked a direct question and hadn’t been able to find a way to answer it without lying.

He sighed.I don’t know. Eldrin has me doubting everything, which is what he wants—for me to become paranoid and distrustful.

I couldn’t wait for the horrible man to die. I hoped I would be able to witness his demise, something I never would’ve thought two months ago, but now I wanted to see the bastard gasp for his last breath.

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