Page 43 of The Kingdom of Flames and Ash

Tavish scowled, but Finnian let me go before he could make any threats.

My jaw dropped. “Did you just thank me?”

“I did because that’s how much of a difference you made for me.” He held the door open. “But we can talk on the way. Right now, everyone is waiting on you two.”

Tavish took my hand and led me into the hallway. All the prisoners stood to our right with at least fifty Unseelie guards.

My gaze landed immediately on Eldrin, who wore a massive smirk. Anger jolted from Tavish into me.

Don’t let him know he upset us,I linked, needing our plan to make him feel unimportant to work. Wanting to knock him down a peg, I spread my wings, revealing that I was healed.

Eldrin’s face paled, and he frowned.

“What’s wrong, Eldy?” Finnian asked, exiting our room with Nightbane in his arms.

I smiled. The cù-sìth was almost the same size as he was.

“That’s not my name.” Eldrin seethed, his face darkening.

I pressed my lips together, trying not to laugh.

Then Finnian whispered in my ear, “Oh, wait. It’s about to get better.”

15

TAVISH

Between the way Finnian whispered in Lira’s ear and the proximity of Eldrin, something dark and sinister churned inside me, eager to spill blood. Once upon a time, this sort of rage was reserved solely for any injustice done to my people, but now Lira was the main trigger that made me want to kill anyone who dared get close to her.

Even my best friends.

Caelan wasn’t nearly as huge of a threat, but Finnian adored Lira, which made him way too attentive to her for my comfort.

I swallowed my ire, watching as Finnian picked up the large animal, making Lira’s joy flash through our bond.

For her, I could tame my bloodlust because she hadn’t felt this lighthearted since we’d cemented our bond. Her delight radiated like the sun, melting the snow that I’d laid with my power.

Eldrin glowered at my mate. His displeasure at her no longer being injured was obvious, confirming that the thornling who’d shot the deadly arrow at Lira had meant to disable her wings for as long as possible.

Eldrin had known that Pyralis would come for her, but how was that possible? We’d never been in communication with the dragons.

Finola stood close by my cousin, her hand on the hilt of her sword. She watched his every reaction, knowing the exact type of threat he was.

Hey, don’t let him get to you.Lira turned in my direction, though her eyes remained on Finnian’s back.Eldrin wants us to be miserable. We need to make sure we don’t seem that way when he’s nearby.

The jolt that thrummed between us increased as we touched, and my body warmed in a less-than-ideal way, given the circumstances.

I’d barely gotten any sleep since the night Pyralis came, too consumed with staring out the windows to ensure the dragons weren’t attempting to sneak up on us. Even though I didn’t doubt the Seelie would protect their princess with all their might, I’d burn the entire realm down for Lira if that was the only way to keep her safe.

Finnian headed straight to Eldrin and, when he got close, said, “Eldy, Caelan and I talked and decided it makes sense for you to carry Nightbane to Cuil Dorcha.”

Laughter built in my chest, but I managed to hold it in. Eldrin always refused menial tasks, and carrying the animal he’d always detested would infuriate him. He would feel as if we didn’t view him as important, something Finnian likely knew. He was better at understanding people than Caelan and me.

“Absolutely not.” Eldrin took a few steps back, the chains restricting his wings. His feet tangled in them, causing him to stumble, but he caught himself. “I will not carry anything.”

Other than his stumbling, he didn’t look any worse than usual, except for the scruff on his face. He didn’t lookmalnourished, but he’d been without food for only a day, so that wasn’t a surprise.

“If you don’t carry Nightbane, then you will remain here with the beast.” I stretched out my wings, trying to seem unconcerned even as adrenaline pumped through my body.

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