Page 55 of The Kingdom of Flames and Ash

“I kind of like you covered in enemy blood.” She winked.

“When I’m done with the ashbreaths, I’ll be soaked in it.”

Her face fell a little, so I kissed her, enjoying her sweet taste.

“Come on,” I rasped, taking her hand. The two of us flew up to the window that led to the royal chambers.

Nightbane whined below at being left behind, but the cù-sìth would find us within minutes.

As we reached the glassless window the Seelie had smashed the night of the attack all those years ago, memories came crashing back.

And suddenly, I landed, but my legs weren’t there to support me.

19

LIRA

Iflew close behind Tavish, needing time away from everyone else to clear my head. Between Eldrin’s arrogant demeanor, the delicate relationship between my parents and Tavish, and everything the dragons’ visit had brought, I wanted to burn the entire realm. Every time we turned around, something else stacked up against us.

Even coming back to the true Cuil Dorcha wasn’t a full win. The Seelie guards were still surrounding us under the ruse of offering protection, but I had no doubt that they had orders to watch us in addition to watching for dragons.

As Tavish flew through the window, I tried to focus on releasing some of my anger. The two of us were feeding off each other, and one of us needed to calm down so we could achieve some sort of rest.

But then agony shot through our connection, and he sank onto a cream-colored rug lying on the smooth brown floor.

My heart hammered, and my stomach turned as I landed beside him. I placed a hand between his wings on his back, sensing heartbreak through our connection.Thorn, what’s wrong?

I scanned the room, but I didn’t find any answers. The only thing that stood out to me was that the room wasn’t anything like the castle we’d just left. In fact, it could easily have been a night chamber in Caisteal Solais, the Seelie castle, with the gigantic space and flower-shaped chairs in the corner.

Even though it had been abandoned, there wasn’t dust or dirt in sight with the candles lit. How long had we been out there, or had the castle servants focused on the royal rooms first?

The floor reminded me of tree bark, and the sheets on the king-size bed were a shade of evergreen, reminding me of the woods between the Seelie and Unseelie border.

I… I haven’t been back here since I was a boy.He straightened but remained on his knees, breathing slowly.I didn’t mean to worry you, but the emotions took me by surprise.Knowing my father was responsible for their deaths has made returning here harder than I imagined.

I wanted to kick myself. In all the drama and turmoil, Tavish hadn’t been graced with the time to come to terms with everything he’d learned. I should’ve foreseen this issue, but I’d been wrapped up in freeing Eiric and myself.What can I do to help you?I knew words wouldn’t provide comfort, and I didn’t want to give him false pleasantries. At the end of the day, his father had murdered both his wife and himself, and nothing was ever going to make that better.

Wrapping my arms around my mate’s shoulders, I pulled him tight to my chest. I’d do anything to take away his pain.

You being here is all I need,he replied and turned toward me, placing his forehead against mine.

Our connection sprang to life. He ran his fingers through my hair and then pulled back.I love you, sprite.

My heart swelled, and some of my worry dissipated because he was right. We could get through this together. I just hoped we could figure out the dragon issue so we never had to be apart.

“Do you want to tell me about your mother?” I figured that talking about his mother would be easier. “I don’t remember much about her other than seeing her watching you and smiling when we spent time together.”

His eyes glistened.She was a good mother, and I do want to tell you all about her. But not yet. I’m not ready. I hope that doesn’t upset you.

Of course not.I cupped his face with my hands.You just learned the truth, and if you need to process it on your own, I understand.

He kissed my lips softly.I don’t deserve you, but I’m never letting you go.His irises darkened to the color of stormy clouds.Never. Do you understand?

I do.He had no intention of letting me go, even if we weren’t able to find a solution. However, I couldn’t live with myself if I just let my sister die. This wasn’t her burden, and she shouldn’t have to pay for being close to me.

I kept my mouth shut because I didn’t want to confirm what he already knew. He was declaring this to me because he knew my intentions.

“Good. I just want to be clear where I stand on the matter.” He climbed to his feet then helped me to mine.

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