Page 38 of The Kingdom of Flames and Ash

The clash of all the different types of magic had the ground shaking and sparks flying. If I were back on Earth, I would’ve sworn that we were either getting bombed or experiencing an earthquake during the Fourth of July.

All of a sudden, the front line of the group, still trying to attack us, fell to their knees and clutched their heads as Tavish’s magic wrapped around each one of them.

“This endsnow,”Tavish shouted, his face gray from the flush of his black blood. “Fighting against one another accomplishesnothingand only uses energy that needs to be conserved. We should be limiting strenuous activities that don’t assist in keeping our community running.”

The fire tornado vanished, and the Unseelie at the front whimpered in agony. Whatever Tavish was forcing them to experience left each of them completely immobile.

Silence spread.

Nightbane snarled, drool dripping from his teeth as he trotted back to the spot next to me. Even though Tavish had hidden me, the beast knew exactly where I was.

“This willnotbe tolerated.” Tavish lifted his sword, his wings expanded and taut. “The people who led this attack will be placed in prisonimmediately. They will get the least amount of food for rising against their king and future queen. As for all of you—” He pointed the sword toward the people who’d been separated by the fire but would’ve attacked if they’d had the ability. “You won’t be placed in prison, but my guards will take note of each and every one of you. If you doanythingthat makes me feel any discomfort, you’ll be killed on the spot. I will not tolerate any of this anymore. I am yourking, and Lira is my fated mate. I don’t blasting care what you think because Fate decided it for the two of us. And I tell you, the Seelie are here to help protect us when the dragons return—because they will.”

Struan flew over the crowd, taking note of each person.

The woman with the strange lime eyes took several steps back, scanning the area like she was searching for something.

Was it me?

There was one way to find out.Tavish, uncloak me. The imminent danger is gone, and I need them to see that I wasn’t afraid. I need them to know I’m not a coward.

I need to make sure they don’t try something again.He didn’t even glance over his shoulder at me, pretending I wasn’t even here.

I fisted my hands, my nails cutting into my palms.We talked about this earlier.

Blighted abyss, sprite. You’re not a coward, but you’re injured, and your magic is drained. You’re struggling to stand. I hid you because I couldn’t be there to protect you and you aren’t strong enough to fight on your own. If I can’t trust you to know when to fight and when not to, then I have to make the decision for you.His chest rose and fell rapidly.

His worry and fear choked me, causing me to hang my head in shame.

You’re right.I was exhausted, had no magic, and my wings burned from my effort to protect Father and Dad.It’s just hard to sit back and watch you and my parents risk your lives while I hide in the darkness… literally. I should be fighting alongside you.And that was my pride speaking.

I’ll uncloak you, but I need to know that you won’t act irrationally and get yourself hurt.He pulled back on the darkness, the chill leaving my body and ebbing from our bond.

Remember that when Pyralis returns to take me,I countered, wanting him to realize that his words would come back to haunt him.

The creepy-eyed woman’s gaze immediately landed back on me.

That’s different, and you know it.Tavish lifted his chin and cleared his throat. “Every person outside has been noted.”

Father folded his wings as he moved around Dad to stand in front of the crowd next to Tavish.

“And every one of you should be ashamed of what you’ve done because your king has accomplished something Eldrin would never have been able to.” Father wrinkled his nose and spat.

Neck cording, Tavish tried not to fidget, but I could see the way his head tilted back slightly and feel the suspicion that churned inside him.

My head spun, and I leaned on Nightbane, needing his support. I wasn’t sure what Father had hidden under his wings.

“You have no need to worry about food because tomorrow, you will be returning to the true Unseelie land, Cuil Dorcha, where you can once again live, albeit with certain precautions now that you all fought against us again.”

A collective gasp broke from the Unseelie. Hope bloomed in my chest, and my gaze went to Mother to find her beaming.

Did you know about this?Tavish connected, turning toward me. His brow furrowed as if he were attempting to solve a complex equation.

I shook my head, unable to form words even telepathically. I wasn’t sure what made Father change his mind, but I was so damn thankful he had.

My heart quickened with the wondrous feeling coming from Tavish. The thought of returning home had alleviated part of the resentment within him, but then his relief disappeared as if a light had been smothered.

He pulled back his nightmare magic, giving the petrified men relief from their worst fears. “Upon our return, these men will be chained, so they still can’t access Unseelie magic.” Even though he sounded almost normal, I heard a growl in his tone. I could sense Tavish’s concern about whether to believe Father.

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