Page 4 of The Kingdom of Flames and Ash

LIRA

When Tavish wrinkled his nose in disgust and his forehead lined with confusion, my heart shattered. His eyes darkened to slate, the very shade I’d seen in my nightmares during my time on Earth.

He held out both hands so I couldn’t step closer and rasped, “What the blast?” His dark hair dripped past the bottom of his ears, contrasting with his pale skin.

Nightbane growled, coming to my side. The cù-sìth resembled a wolf but was the size of a horse. The green-tinged tips of his dark fur rose, and he was clearly ready to intervene.

I threaded my fingers through his fur, wanting to calm him as my bottom lip trembled after Tavish’s rejection.

Watching Eiric be abducted by Prince Pyralis, Tavish trying so desperately to save her, and Finnian, Lorne, and him getting injured by the ashbreath had been awful. The only reprieve had been Tavish returning, but it had resulted inthis,the most agonizing torment I’d ever experienced in my life.

“Your Majesty, what’s bothering you?” Isla asked from her spot next to me in front of the dark Unseelie castle. Her crystal-blue eyes glanced from me to him. Her light-blue hair appeared gray in the darkness. “You triumphed over Eldrin.”

I placed a hand on my chest, trying to steady the pain flaring inside. I wanted to figure out what was going on with Tavish but didn’t want the girl to feel ignored. “Sometimes, winning doesn’t actually feel like a victory. Sometimes, important things get taken from us that make it still feel like losing.”

“Oh, Lira. Right.” She winced. “I forgot about their connection.”

I had no clue what she was talking about, but I needed to focus on Tavish, whose face had twisted into despair. “Did I do something wrong?”

Maybe he was angry with me for pressuring him so much to save Eiric. One of his best friends and solid guards had gotten severely injured because of my request.

“No, but Eldrin must have done something to me.” He frowned, scanning me. “If this is what he meant about not needing to kill the dragon prince, I’ll slit his throat and enjoy watching him bleed out.”

“What?” My brain felt foggy, and intense pain from my injuries made my wings ache. “What did Eldrin say and do?” I took a step toward him but paused, unable to handle his rejection once again.

“You don’t feel the connection between us? Maybe it’s an illusion he somehow pushed onto me, and I need to find the magic to release its hold.” His terror and anger intensified.

“Tavish, did you hit your head or something?” A chill ran down my spine. Something was truly wrong. I squinted and looked him over, searching for some kind of injury. “We’ve had this connection since you took me from Earth.”

His eyes widened. “I didn’t bring you here. I brought Lira.”

But I am Lira.I looked downward, noting my tan complexion, which was several shades lighter than my sister’s.I didn’t understand what was going on until realization washed over me and relief flooded through our bond. I faced Isla again, remembering her strange comment from moments ago. “Who am I?”

Isla’s nose wrinkled as she glanced at Tavish and me and answered, “Eiric.”

My heart seized, and then I felt the faint hum of Seelie magic covering me. Son of a bitch. “She glamoured us.” Of course she did. “And took my spot. That’s why Pyralis didn’t hesitate to grab her. I thought that was odd.” Since she’d glamoured us both at the same time, I hadn’t seen myself as the others had. She’d known what she was doing when she did this to us.

Now that I could sense her magic, I removed the glamour with my own. Glamour used passive magic, so it didn’t take more than a thought to remove it now that I’d realized it was there.

As soon as it dropped, Tavish sagged with relief. He stumbled to me, pulled me into his arms, and buried his face in my hair. The buzzing between us sprang up once again, and this time, he relished the embrace and didn’t pull away.

I could feel Nightbane ease at my side, a sign that the tense moment was over.

I thought I’d lost you again and to the one person who’s actually a threat to what we share.He kissed the shell of my ear, and my body tingled.I should be pissed that Eiric put us through that, but I’m glad she did.

In my mate’s arms, it was hard not to agree with him. There was no place I’d rather be, but I couldn’t enjoy the moment. “What happens when he realizes it’s her?” My stomach dropped, and cold tendrils of fear clutched my heart.

“He won’t harm her… not if he believes that she’s important to you.” Tavish exhaled. “He’ll decide to begin a chess match and use her as a pawn.”

And there was no doubt I’d hand myself over to him to save my sister. I’d do it without a moment’s hesitation.

Concern flooded our connection as Tavish leaned back.You giving yourself to him isn’t an option. We’ll find a way to get her back without you sacrificing your own freedom.

I nodded, choosing to believe his words. Before I could ask him about Eldrin, Struan and a female guard with silver hair flew over to us, holding an unconscious Finnian. Parts of his fair skin looked charred.

My wings had to feel better than what he’d experienced.

Two other guards flew behind them, carrying Lorne, who was in a similar state. Even the ends of his pale-blue hair were tinged black from the dragon’s fire.

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