Page 41 of The Kingdom of Flames and Ash

They hadn’t, but there was always a first time. However, I kept my mouth shut, knowing that she hadn’t said it only for my benefit but also her own.

“All I know is if we’re leaving that early, Lira needs her rest.” Tavish placed his hand at the center of my back. “And just to be clear, if Lira isn’t able to fly on her own, then I will be the only person carrying her tomorrow. I don’t blasting care who handles Lorne and Finnian, but my sprite is all mine.”

Head jerking back, Dad frowned. “I’m more than capable of carrying her as well. After all, I’m responsible for her protection.”

“Protection, yes, but she’s my mate.” Tavish lifted a brow. “And I expect everyone, Seelie and Unseelie, to assist in her protection.”

I leaned into his side, trying to ease his aggravation.You going to kill my dad if he tries to carry me once you get tired?

No, but I still don’t like the thought of anyone but me touching you.He lifted a brow.

Fair enough. It wasn’t as if I wanted anyone but Tavish to carry me. Still, I’d rather be able to fly and not be a hindrance to anyone.

“Let’s inform the guards so we can ensure everyone gets adequate sleep to make the journey tomorrow.” Father flapped his wings, ready to execute the plan. “King Tavish is right. Lira should get some rest, and I’m sure he has matters to attend to.”

“Since we’re leaving, we should have plenty to eat for dinner, so we’ll regroup then.” Tavish lifted his chin, authority ringing from his voice. “In the meantime, if you need anything, please let Caelan know.”

I lifted a brow.Caelan? Where are you going to be?I didn’t like the thought of him being in the village when people were eager to attack him. I understood that they wouldn’t kill him since that would result in the Unseelie losing their magic, but that didn’t mean they wouldn’t hurt him.

With you.He guided me toward the hallway that led to our bedchamber.There is no other place I need to be with you injured and a sadistic ashbreath desperate to take you.The sluggish sensation of jealousy bled through our bond.

I wanted to reassure him that there was no reason to be jealous, but the words died on my tongue. Technically, the dragon prince was my fiancé, even though he’d never proposed to me. It was more than an arrangement, it was a vow, unbreakable without significant consequences.

Both sets of my parents left the castle, and Tavish said sternly, “Caelan, come with us.”

“Is something wrong?” Caelan asked, taking the spot on my other side.

“I want to know how the entire kingdom discovered that the cave was destroyed.”

I flinched. In all the turmoil, I’d forgotten the true issue that had caused the problem in the first place.

“I’m unsure. The two guards got to the food distribution site a few minutes before I did. Nothing seemed amiss when I arrived, but someone alerted the village to the problem. Did anyone fly by the cave while the six of you were attempting to heal the ground?”

I thought back. I’d been focused on Dad and Father. “Not that I noticed, but then again, I had reinjured my wings, so I wasn’t very alert.”

Tavish’s guilt filtered through our bond. “We can’t be certain, but I never sensed anyone else’s presence.”

Since neither of us was certain no one else had been there, we couldn’t even assume it was the two guards. They could be on Tavish’s side.

The Unseelie were going to return to their land, but they were more divided than ever. Returning home and becoming stronger only meant the fighting would be more deadly if they didn’t unify.

“I wish I could heal Finnian and Lorne. It would be helpful to have two more people we trust in our midst, assisting in determining who’s loyal.”

“Wait.” Caelan paused.

Tavish and I took another step before realizing he’d stopped. I glanced over my shoulder at him.

“Your wings aren’t healing where the arrow hit them, right?” Caelan turned his attention to one of my wings and reached out a hand like he was going to touch it.

On instinct, I folded my wings in, the pain searing me.

“What the blast?” Tavish seethed, moving quickly between Caelan and me and shoving him away. “Do not touch her.”

“Fine.” Caelan brushed a piece of hair out of his face. “I was only going to look at the wound. Remember, the arrow was a Seelie weapon, but the tip felt slightly porous and rough, and not like the wood from the trees back home, despite the rest of it being made of that.”

My breath caught. “Like lava rock after it’s exploded.” If the rocks could hinder Seelie magic from restoring the ground, it made sense that the substance would also impact my healing magic. “But I took a bath.”

Tavish scoffed. “That doesn’t mean traces of it didn’t remain behind. I should examine your wings.”

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