Page 8 of The Kingdom of Flames and Ash

My instinct told me to do this, and I had to trust that it was right.

As I expected, Mom and Dad were leading the guards. The tips of Dad’s dark-blue hair stuck out from under his armor, and his dark skin made it possible to notice the gold in it. His amber eyes widened.

Mom’s brows furrowed. She tilted her head, her curly mahogany hair blowing behind her as her dark-brown eyes scanned me.

Mom raised a fist, causing the guards behind them to halt and hover in place.

The two of them looked at each other then nodded. They weren’t fated mates, but they’d always been able to understand each other without a word, even on Earth.

“Lira,” Mom rasped. “Why are you being car—” She noticed my wings and stopped short. “Who did this to you?” Her gaze shot straight at Tavish. “Was ithim?”

My head jerked back. “It wasn’t him.”

“Then who was it?” she seethed, her hand going to her hip, where I noticed a dark stone hilt.

She had Tavish’s sword.

“We can discuss that further, but at the moment, I need to understand why you’ve brought what appears to be your entire guard to the land you banished us to.” Tavish lifted his chin. “And I’d like my sword back.”

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.” Mom lifted her hands and flew a few feet back. “That’s not what’s important.”

Dad edged in front of Mom. “It’s not the whole guard. We brought half because the king and queen demanded to travel with us. The threat of the dragons is imminent since we forced Pyralis to leave Gleann Solas.”

I swallowed. Mother and Father were here. They never traveled outside of Gleann Solas. “Why are they here?” Maybe thiswasa formal attack.

“Because their daughter, the Seelie heir, helped the Unseelie king and his friend escape and left with them.” Mom’s wings fluttered behind her, resembling flames. “They’re upset and wanted to try to resolve things here.”

“Attacking the Unseelie isn’t the way.” I didn’t want to be on opposite sides of either set of parents, but my place was beside Tavish, and they didn’t respect that.

“We aren’t here to attack.” Dad lifted both hands, emphasizing he had no weapon in them. “We’re here to check on you and Eiric and to make sure the dragons don’t try to capture you before the agreed-upon date that you are to wed the prince.”

Tavish’s jaw clenched, causing its bones to pop. He gritted, “She willneverbe his. She ismine.”

“Now isn’t the time to get into that.” Dad rubbed his hands together. “Because, at the moment, we’re all on the same team—we all want to keep Lira away from him.”

“Team?” Tavish parroted. “I’m not sure what that means.”

Sometimes, I forgot that he hadn’t spent time on Earth and didn’t understand the vernacular. “That they have the same goal as you.”

“At least temporarily.” Tavish huffed but relaxed marginally.

Wanting to make sure their intent was clear, I asked, “So you won’t attack while you’re here, even if the king and queen demand it?”

“Those are the orders.” Dad licked his lips. “Do not attack unless one of our kind is threatened.”

Threatened is subjective.Tavish’s nostrils flared, and the strain on his wings made his discomfort even worse.

We needed to land before he couldn’t fly anymore.

It is, but if they decide to attack, staying with them won’t prevent it.I didn’t know what the right answer was, but either way, the Unseelie were at a disadvantage.So it’s best if we trust them until there’s a reason not to.

Trust the people who killed my parents?His disgust trickled through the fated-mate bond.

My chest constricted from his emotions, and I hated that I couldn’t reassure him. That was exactly what I’d asked him to do, and I understood that trusting the Seelie was the last thing he’d ever want.If you can’t—

You’re right, and I’m willing to allow them into our land, but I can’t trust them.

My heartbeat quickened, knowing that he was doing this for me. If I weren’t here now, the Unseelie would’ve attacked the Seelie without blinking.That’s more than fair, and you’re a better man than you give yourself credit for.

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