Page 7 of The Kingdom of Flames and Ash

The Unseelie grabbed their weapons from their sides once more.

My limbs grew heavy with dread. The way I’d helped Tavish and Finnian escape and run from my people plagued me. I hadn’t relished betraying my parents—both biological and adoptive—but they hadn’t given me much choice. They had bound my fated mate and friend, even starved them. And with an army this size, I wasn’t sure what they might be trying to accomplish.

Tavish froze, his wings tensing as he stared at the newcomers.They know our numbers are small. Why would they bring so many guards with them?

Good question.I don’t know, but whatever they do to the Unseelie, they’ll be forced to do the same to me.Now that Tavish had proclaimed me his people’s future queen, I wouldn’t stand being treated any other way, even if I had to attack the guards alongside him.But, thorn, the Unseelie are primed to attack. I don’t think that’s wise.I wanted to reassure him that Mom and Dad wouldn’t attack him, knowing the bond he and I shared, but ultimately, they would obey their royals.There’s no way we’ll come out unscathed, especially after what we’ve endured. They need to put down their weapons to show they don’t intend to fight.

Displeasure surged through the bond, and Tavish’s breathing turned ragged.Lira, that goes against every natural instinct we have. Your parents killed mine and relocated us here by force. Asking them to put down their weapons is like asking them to stand in a dragon’s flame, and look how injured Finnian and Lorne are.

My head and heart were in conflict because I understood everything Tavish was saying, but a part of me remembered loving and caring parents, even though I hadn’t seen much of that side of them since returning to Gleann Solas. The best course of action would be to speak with Mom and Dad before they reached us, but I couldn’t fly—not with my injury.

A scream built in my chest, but releasing it would only worsen an already volatile situation.

Still, I had to try.

I flapped my wings, sharp pain shooting through them and down my back. The woman who’d injured me had hit a vital spot in both wings. Still, I needed to head off the Seelie and see what their intentions were.

Lira, you’re injured.Tavish’s concern jolted through me as he turned my way.

Something snapped inside me, causing my sarcasm to come out swinging.Oh, right. I was wondering why moving my wings hurt!They’d been throbbing the whole time, and now it felt as if my wings were going to fall off.

His brows lifted as shock filtered in.

Immediately, guilt assailed me. I didn’t care if I shouldn’t apologize to him.I’m sorry. It’s been a long… well, month, and I have no idea why the Seelie came in force. I need to speak with them before they reach us.The last twenty-four hours had been awful, and the pressure was getting to me. Add in Eiric being taken, the deaths, and the injuries along with my own pain, and I could’ve sworn I hadn’t slept in days.

You never need to apologize to me.Tavish caught me in his arms and continued,You could speak to me in that manner for the rest of eternity, and I’d still be indebted to you for what I did and allowed to happen to you when I forced you to come here with me.He flapped his wings, lifting us from the ground.

A deep ache pulsed in the bond, proving that flying caused him discomfort too.You’re uncomfortable with my weight.

It’s nothing I can’t handle.He flew a little higher across the stoned path over his people’s heads.

“Your Majesty,” a guard yelled. “You should hide in the castle. We’ll protect you with our lives.”

I lifted my head to take note of the guard, who had salt-and-pepper hair. His offer to protect Tavish made me favor him, hoping he was one Unseelie we could count on to be on our side and not Eldrin’s.

“Everyone, remain calm.” Tavish’s voice echoed the way only a royal’s could, as if it were some sort of magic. “Princess Lira and I will meet with the Seelie and determine if they’re a threat to us or not.”

“They’re Seelie.” A man lifted his sword in the air. “Of course they mean harm.”

“I didn’t.” I couldn’t remain silent while others amped everyone up, preparing to attack my people. At this point, I didn’t identify as Seelie or Unseelie any longer. From here on out, I would be fae—because that’s what we all truly were. “Maybe they aren’t coming here to attack or do anything untoward. And if they are, I’ll fight alongside you.”

A woman gasped. “Against your own people?”

“You are my people now too. Your well-being means just as much to me as theirs.” I shifted in Tavish’s arms, trying to see everyone better. In the process, the edge of my wing got stuck on Tavish’s arm, causing me to nearly double over in pain.

Tavish’s breath caught like he felt my misery through the bond. I still wasn’t great at hiding physical sensations.

His arms tightened around me so I couldn’t lift the wing as easily again, and he cleared his throat. “Stay calm. If we need to fight, I’ll give you a signal.”

Not waiting for his people to respond, he pushed his wings harder, heading toward the Seelie guards, who were only about a hundred and fifty yards from the start of our land.

I can fly,I offered, trying not to flinch. The thought of forcing my wings to do anything but dangle made tears burn my eyes.

Don’t you dare.He pushed harder, picking up speed to face the Seelie.Your wings are still bleeding.

Not only that, but the breeze from flying made my vision blur. There wasn’t a point in fighting him, especially when he was right.

I slipped my arms around his neck, wanting to anchor my body more securely to his and feel the buzz of our bond everywhere we could touch. As we got closer to the Seelie, I tasted bitterness. What if I’d been wrong about reaching out and meeting them before they arrived? What if my parents did try to take me from Tavish again and deliver me to Pyralis? All my doubts swirled inside me, but I bit my tongue.

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