Page 91 of The Kingdom of Flames and Ash

Fine with me.I lifted my chin and spoke out loud. “Are we ready to make the exchange?”

“Of course. We’re thrilled you decided to come tonight instead of pushing the deadline.” King Ignathor pointed at Mom and said, “Hand the prisoner over to this woman.”

Pyralis didn’t move for a moment, but when his parents turned in his direction, he tugged Eiric along.

My heart raced, knowing that the battle could begin at any moment. There was only one technicality. I would be forced to hand myself over as agreed.

When Pyralis and Eiric reached us, Mom grabbed Eiric’s wrist at the same time that Pyralis snagged mine. He then tugged me to his side.

The exchange was complete.

“Was that so hard?” King Ignathor placed a hand on my shoulder, the heat of his magic nearly burning me.

“Yes, it was.” I made myself stand still, though I wanted to recoil. “But I won’t be staying.”

Mom yanked Eiric behind her, spreading her wings, as Tavish’s magic slowed and dropped away. The five hundred fae soared toward us, bearing arms.

King Ignathor tossed his head back and laughed. “That’s where you’re wrong.”

Fire shot through the sky from the village to our left, heading directly at my mate.

31

LIRA

My heart hammered against my ribs, and my knees wanted to give out, but thankfully, my refreshing magic swirled inside me.

“You are surrounded, King Ignathor,” Father rasped, not yet noticing the chaos behind him.

All I could focus on was Tavish’s eyes locked on me as he led the attack, unaware of the flame streaming directly toward him.

“We’re being attacked,” I yelped, and I lifted water from below the group of dragons over the sea. I linked,Tavish, watch out!

The flame had almost reached him as it arced through the night sky.

Tavish jerked his head around just as the water I’d called splashed up and doused the flame that had come within feet of hitting my mate. Now that it was extinguished, I could make out what it was.

An arrow.

Father, Mother, Mom, Dad, and Eiric spun around just as twenty more flames soared from the village toward them, aimed at different sections of the group.

“They’re shooting arrows at us,” Tavish shouted, alerting the masses that might not have seen. “Be careful.”

King Ignathor gripped my upper arm and yanked me backward. The heat from his touch almost burned my skin, and at the back of my mind, I wondered if my touch felt like that to Tavish.

“I’m assuming that was you, seeing as everyone else is focused on charging us,” King Ignathor spat as he created distance between me and the others. Pyralis remained stuck in his spot in front of Eiric and our parents. “Pyralis, come.”

I dug my wooden heels into the uneven ground and pumped my wings, trying to break free, as Dad pivoted toward us and saw the dragon king and queen pulling me away.

Shaking his head, Pyralis rushed to catch up to us as Dad unsheathed his sword and raised it just as the dragon behind him opened his mouth and expelled flames.

Mother spun around and redirected the air so the flames hit the dragon in his own face instead.

“Don’t do this, King Ignathor,” Father yelled as more arrows arched toward the fae.

Every time Tavish tried to break away, more arrows were loosed, derailing his advance without anyone getting severely injured. The Seelie fae, with affinity to water and wind, tapped into their magic, but more arrows were released every few seconds.

“Me?” King Ignathor snickered. “You set every bit of this in motion. You vowed your daughter to us yet didn’t respect us enough to include us in any conversations where her future was concerned. My son had to request that she come live with us early because she completed a sacred bond with another man. And yet, you still turned your wings on us! And now you come here with every intention of attacking us—as if we didn’t sense that nightfiend last night watching us. We thought the attackmight have come last night, but when nothing happened, we prepared for it. You think we’re buffoons, and I’m tired of the constant insults. Leave now, or your kingdom will pay the price.”

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