Page 68 of The Kingdom of Flames and Ash

Even though I understood that his first priority was to keep me safe, that didn’t mean I would bend to his will. Eiric had protected me her entire life, even when we didn’t remember our fae blood, and I wouldn’t abandon her now. My hand chopped the air between us. “It’s the only plan that makes sense, Tavish, and youknowit. It will free Eiric, and she’ll inform you of everything she knows while I try to fill in the rest of the details.” I feared she wouldn’t be able to tell us much, given she’d been a prisoner the entire time, but I kept that to myself.

“Do you even hear what you’re saying?” He slammed a hand on the table, and bits of frost crept from his fingertips onto the wood while edges of darkness surrounded his arms. “You want us to hand you over tospend the night with him?”

“I’m in agreement with Tavish.” Father shook his head like he couldn’t believe what he’d said. “You handing yourself over is too risky. If they were to find a way to keep you, knowing that breeding with you—”

“First off, if I did stay overnight, it wouldn’t bewithhim.” I rolled my eyes. Even though Tavish didn’t like my plan, he didn’t have to be so dramatic. Worse, he was getting Father riled up. I had to de-escalate the situation. “So there would be no chance ofbreeding. I’d demand my own room.”

“How would that have gone if you’d done that when you were held prisoner by me? And dragons are ruthless. Who said you have to be willing?” Tavish’s jaw clenched, and a dangerous glint reflected in his irises.

All that accomplished was me straightening my back and refusing to back down. Yes, there were risks to my plan, but the biggest positive was that Eiric would be handed over safely.

“In truth, you never treated Lira like a true prisoner. She’s spent less time in prison than I have.” Finnian leaned forward, placing his elbows on the table. “In fact, I’ve come closer to death at your hand more often than she ever did.”

Tavish looked at Finnian and snarled, “Much like at this moment.”

“Everyone is flying with their wings clipped right now.” Caelan turned so his back was to the open window with both of his feet firmly on the floor. “Both Tavish and Lira have valid points, but I suspect there’s a way to utilize both ideas.”

“What do you suggest?” Mother ran a finger along the top of her glass.

“If Tavish is up for the challenge and at all full strength, a group of us go to Tìr na Dràgon and he cloaks us in darkness so no one can see us. If we leave now, we’ll arrive there an hour or so before the sun goes down. Tavish can cover the sun so none of the group will be noticed, and we’d have time to scout the area. Lira wouldn’t be forced to stay overnight but could safely make the exchange to free Eiric.”

Even though I didn’t like the idea of Tavish being involved, I understood his staying behind wasn’t an option, especially if I planned on handing myself over.

“That still means Lira hands herself over.” Tavish crossed his arms. “I’m not willing to risk it.”

I stood, shoving my seat back and pivoting in his direction. Frustration and annoyance burned in my chest. “You don’t get to make that decision, Tavish. I’m going because my not being part of the plan is as asinine as you being left out of it. You can hide people, and I can use my water magic, which is their weakness. Not only that, but I can get Eiric out of there. I have to because the dragons won’t hesitate to kill her when they realize I have no intention of remaining or marrying Pyralis. I’ve proven that I can handle any battle thrown my way, and I find it insulting that you make it seem as if I’m not capable of protecting myself.”

“I understand I’m not a royal, but Hestia and I have known Lira longer than anyone else here.” Dad stood at the end of the table between Tavish and Father and continued, “And Lira is more than capable of handling herself. She’s trained her entire life. Believe me, I wouldn’t risk her if I had any doubt. She’s like a daughter to me, and I couldn’t handle losing both of my children, especially not to ashbreaths.”

His pride warmed my chest until I noticed the way Mom frowned… like she didn’t agree with him.

“There’s no question that Lira can handle herself.” Tavish’s expression softened, and he touched my arm.

If it hadn’t been for the comforting buzz of his touch and the love and concern weaving through our bond, I would’ve pulled away. Instead, I found myself craving the support I needed from him.

“She’s proven it over and over, much to my chagrin.” He moved closer to me, our entire arms now touching, and continued, “I just don’t want her to have to do that anymore.I want to protect her from anything that risks her well-being, whether emotionally or physically.”

Then you need to let me go because not going will cause problems between us, and I have to be there for my sister. Imagine if it were Caelan or Finnian.He needed to put himself in my place and imagine if one of the two people who had truly become family in the last twelve years had been taken.Would you be willing to stay behind while I went off in search of them?

Fair, but would you be as keen for me to go with you if another woman was determined that I marry and impregnate her?He arched a brow.Would you be thrilled at the prospect of me flying into her during the exchange?

The mere suggestion of it had me wanting to stab their eyes out. I’d kill someone for even hinting at that. I hadn’t realized that I’d dug my nails into my palms until he smirked.See. You’re enraged, and it’s merely an idea that isn’t true, unlike the ashbreath adamant that you are his.

Father cleared his throat, pulling our attention from each other to him. He said, “I still struggle with putting our only heir in harm’s way, especially after only recently getting her back.”

We were wasting energy and time arguing. If I wanted all of them to consider my involvement, I couldn’t continue to get upset. I needed to list my reasons and stop being reactive and impulsive. All it was doing was making the situation spiral. We needed to move on. “Just listen, please. And if you still don’t agree, I promise to give you the same respect until we find a way to settle the matter.” At the end of the day, I wasn’t the Seelie leader, nor had Tavish and I gotten married. Technically, the three of them would make the decision—not that I would obey. Still, it would be easier if we could all get on the same page.

“I’m in agreement.” Mother nodded, leaning forward in her chair.

I cut my gaze to Tavish.

He sighed. “I don’t truly have much choice in the matter, so I agree.”

“Smart man,” Finnian coughed.

Tavish sneered. “Why are you still alive? Times like these, I struggle to remember.”

“Becauseyouneed me. I do what Caelan and you don’t want to. Who was the one who helped Lira remember how to fight with a sword?” He placed his hands behind his head, allowing his wings to unfold. “For that, you will be forever in debt to me.”

---