Page 85 of The Kingdom of Flames and Ash

Head tilting back, Finnian pointed at himself. “Me?”

“Yes, since you annoyed everyone else, this is the consequence.” Tavish rocked back on his feet.

I chuckled, knowing how the two of them could be. “I got rest last night. I can carry him.”

But before I could bend, my feet suddenly lifted out from underneath me.

29

LIRA

Iyelped. I hadn’t expected Tavish to carry me, especially since he was exhausted from being out all night.

“You are most definitely carrying Nightbane because Lira and I aren’t heading back to Dunscaith with the rest of you.” He lifted his chin toward Finnian. “And I fear I might kill you if I am forced to be around you a moment longer.”

Even though I enjoyed the thought of alone time with my mate, I knew Tavish needed rest. The three leading emotions soaring through our bond were fear, anger, and exhaustion.We should go with them.You need sleep.

If we go back there, our time will be stolen by battle plans and constant interruptions.His eyes turned dark silver.I need quality time alone with you.

He clasped me to his chest, causing the buzz between us to turn electric.

“You wouldn’t kill me.” Finnian wrinkled his nose. “You haven’t yet, which speaks volumes.”

I pressed my lips together, trying not to laugh, though Tavish’s eyes lightened. He could sense that I was trying to hide my laughter, so I might as well say what I thought. “We don’tneed a second chessboard ruined.” I wrapped my arms around my mate’s neck and smiled. “So it’s clearly in Tavish’s interests for us to go somewhere you aren’t.”

Somewhere nobody can disturb us. Even him.He fidgeted as his desire slammed into me.

Need knotted in my stomach.I really like the sound of that.

“Your Majesty, you need your rest, and we need to discuss our strategy.” Finola lowered her head, making it clear that she wasn’t attempting to be disrespectful.

“No one cares more about me getting enough rest than I do. I understand that my magic needs to replenish so I can ensure that my mate returns to me.” His heartbeat quickened. “I trust you, Struan, Caelan, Lorne, and Finnian to handle strategy. We will return two hours before we are to meet the Seelie at the border.”

“What our king is trying to say is that he and Lira have some needs to handle.” Finnian smirked, rubbing his hands together. “A pressing situation that only she can relieve. A meeting of the mind and body, if you will.”

I inhaled deeply and shook my head at Finnian. He needed to stop. He was taking his own uncertainty out on Tavish.

Tavish snarled. “Say another thing that disrespects what Lira and I share, and Iwill killyou. You are alive because you are one of the best swordsfae in the lands, but I can train someone to become just as good.”

Finnian rolled his eyes. “I’m not being disrespectful.” He picked up Nightbane as the animal groaned. “But I do need to get going if I’m taking him. I’m fairly certain he weighs twice as much as Lira. I’d know.” He winked and then dashed out the window.

The way Tavish’s teeth ground together told me that I needed to intervene before the two fought one another. I planted a softkiss on his cheek then linked,Are you taking me somewhere or wasting more of our time allowing Finnian to pester you?

He exhaled and relaxed marginally.Nope. Not any longer.

Then he soared from the balcony, heading toward Cuil Dorcha. The land blurred beneath us, and all I could do was keep my gaze on his strong face.

Even though we didn’t speak, I could feel the tumult of his emotions. They blended with mine, and I wanted to ease his concern, but that would result in the two of us having the same conversation over and over again. I had to save Eiric; there was no other choice. Besides, the dragons weren’t going to just let me go. We had to fight them.

When we reached the trees that covered the land at the border, he angled downward, and I felt the coolness of his darkness magic cover me. He was cloaking us, and I got a strong suspicion about where he was taking us.

We landed in a thick section of trees where the evergreens of Cuil Dorcha and the colorful trees of Gleann Solas merged and framed a thick patch of brush… the very place where the Unseelie underground quarters were.

You weren’t joking when you said you wanted no disruptions.I grinned, rocking back on my heels.

I never joke when it comes to spending time with you, sprite.He squatted and stuck his hand under the brush. I had no doubt he touched some sort of mechanism that would recognize his blood, and after a second, the brush lifted, revealing the secret passage into our former hiding spot.

When he stood once again, I slid my arms around his waist and looked up at him.Now this is perfect.

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