Page 173 of Night Meets the Elf Queen

“Well done soldier,” she said, offering a smile. “It is an honor to have you as a Raven.”

“Will they come here?”

She frowned but nodded. “Where is the High King?”

He twisted around. “He was right behind us….” he faced her once again. “The Ravens are saying the pale ones are all dead. The Black Mage held off the assault while we retreated.”

Another soldier approached. “We recognized the king’s cousin, Hel, was leading the pale ones, and we realized all along he’s been the Black Mage. But he fought with us, not against us.”

“Because of you, Lady Lightbringer.” He smiled at her. “You changed his heart.”

Taken aback, all she could do was stare at him. They understood that she was with the Black Mage and didn’t hate her… or even him.

“Thank you, Lady.” He moved on to rejoin the line filtering into the city.

Presco leaned in. “The elves really are a remarkable people. If war wasn’t thrust upon them, I don’t believe they would seek it.”

“They wouldn’t.” She swallowed hard, holding back tears. She was still bewildered by their reaction. The Palenor Scroll had painted her as wicked, they knew her relationship was over with Thane, and now they knew she’d left him for the Black Mage, and they weren’t angry. They still believed in her. The Ravens never wavered.

She felt for Hel and opened her mind to him.Hel, are you here?

“I’m here.” She whirled and the smoke of his magic slowly dissipated around him and Thane, Phantom, and Starborn.

She threw herself at Hel and he chuckled as he caught her.

“Hello, love.” He spoke softly in her ear.

“I was trying not to worry, but I couldn’t help myself.” She pressed her palms to the sides of his face, turning it to get a good look. “Your eyes…” The piercing cerulean blue-green of her memories replaced the maroon they’d been. They were such a striking color against his dark hair and lashes it was the first thing she noticed. Did this mean he wouldn’t need her blood anymore? She twisted a lock of his hair around her finger, it was dirty with blood but there was still a luster to it that hadn’t been there before. His ivory skin glowed the way all gods did.

Thane only glanced at her briefly and then started looking behind her and Presco.

You’re immortal again. You did it.

He smiled, dimpled his cheek and kissed her hard.I am. “But we had to retreat. Eliza joined in and I don’t know whoelse is coming. We managed to stop them from coming through the portal, but they’ll be here soon.” He lifted his eyes skyward. “Good, your wall is up. I was worried. Atlanta demanded Katana during the negotiations.”

Valeen nibbled on her lower lip. The wall hadn’t gone up in time.

“Where is Katana?” Thane looked worried now.

Her throat tightened with emotion. “Thane…”

“Where is she?” he demanded.

“You might be the only one who can find her.”

“What does that mean?” Thane growled, the worried look in his eyes turned to fury.

“Atlanta got in before we could put up the wall and?—”

He snatched her arm, gripping it hard. “How could you let that happen?”

“I tried to stop him, but he threatened to kill her. He had a knife to her throat. I had to let them go.”

Hel peeled his grip from her then shoved him. “Don’t ever grab her like that again. And don’t blame Valeen for what Atlanta did. That is her sister, she cares for her as much or more than you.”

“You don’t know how much I care. I love her.” With his hands curling and uncurling at his sides, Thane’s chest heaved up and down with heavy breaths. He looked like he was about to lose control. “Why did you say I’m the only one who can find her?”

“There is a new mark on her. A sun. She said it wasn’t there before you and her… were together.”

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