Page 11 of Ashes of Betrayal

All to be with one of the hated Marav.

If Mor discovered where she’d gone—and she likely would, for the Raven Queen had eyes everywhere—she’d put a price on her head.

Was she ready for this?

Bree glanced over her shoulder at where Caisteal Gealaich’s curtain wall reared above her.

Aye, she was.

Worry fluttered up then like a sack of released moths.What about Gil?

Her gaze continued to linger upon the great fortress where she’d lived for most of her three hundred years. Surely, Mor wouldn’t punish him for her misdeeds? Gil was a talented archivist. She wanted to say goodbye to him, but there was no time.

It was safer though, for her to leave without Gil knowing, as Mor would question him.

Tensing, Bree turned away from the walls. Urgency coiled in her belly. She had to leave. Now.

A pale shape appeared ahead then, emerging from the darkness. A great white stag.

Relief weakened her limbs.Tiv.Her mind touched his.Are you ready for another adventure?

Always.

Are you sure? This one will take us into Albia … and we won’t be returning.

Tivesheh drew up before her and dipped his large head.I will take you wherever you wish.

A lump rose in her throat. Stroking his nose, she swallowed. Tivesheh had been her faithful companion on so many journeys. Once they crossed into Albia, they’d depend on each other for survival.

Vaulting up onto his back, she nudged him gently with her heels, making her urgency clear.We ride for Golval Barrow … fast.

Tivesheh pivoted on his haunches and leaped forward into the darkness. An instant later, they were bounding northwest, away from Caisteal Gealaich.

6: RETURN TO DUNCRAG

THEY REACHED GOLVAL Barrow just as dawn was breaking. Drawing her stag up in front of the large grassy mound that rose before a stand of sycamores, Bree glanced nervously over her shoulder.

She shouldn’t worry yet—for Mor hadn’t placed any restrictions on her movements and was focused on preparing for war at present—although she was on edge, all the same.

Sliding down from Tivesheh’s back, Bree cast her gaze around the barrow. As always, her skin prickled at being so close to one of the portals that bridged the veil between this realm and Albia. A faint buzzing sound filled her ears.

Are you ready, Tiv?

The stag snorted, letting her know that he was.

Placing a hand upon his warm, damp neck, she moved forward.Follow me then.

They hadn’t often traveled through the veil together over the years, for most of Bree’s marks had been in Sheehallion. However, there had been a male—one of Mor’s servants, who’d tried to poison her—whom she’d hunted in Albia. The servant had been working for Mor’s brother Grae.

Vyan, that had been his name. He’d begged for mercy in the end but hadn’t received any.

Bree’s mouth thinned. Some memories were best not dwelt upon.

She strode toward the barrow’s entrance, a stone archway that was just big enough for Tivesheh to follow her through. It was a bottleneck—and one that only admitted travelers at dusk and dawn. Indeed, when Mor’s army was ready, it would take a while for all the warriors and their beasts to travel through the portals their queen chose.

Entering the barrow, Bree breathed in the damp, musty air before whispering, “Sleeping dead, let us pass. We tread lightly.”

And her people did. The Shee walked in long, gliding steps and could blend with the shadows when it suited them—an ability that would come in useful when she emerged in Albia.

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