Page 67 of Riot of Autumn

“What does that mean?” Archer looks like he’s trying to do complex math in his head. Lena’s face is drawn into the serious one that she gets when she’s thinking deeply.

“I have horrible handwriting. Am I supposed to leave confusing notes around town for the Fae?” Miri huffs, obviously just as confused as the rest of us.

“Premonitions are nebulous things. They often only make sense after the fact,” Emric chimes in.

“Great. Super helpful,” Ruby says, but she’s missing all her usual fire. Her shoulders are slumped, and I can practically feel the exhaustion radiating from her.

“The two of you should bond.” Davis looks at me and Ruby, making this announcement like he’s suggesting we order a pizza.

All heads whip around to stare at him, and Miri punches his shoulder.

“What?” He looks up at her with a shrug.

Ruby and I haven’t talked about bonding since the day after the Duke arrived. Things have changed between us, but the same concerns we had back then still stand. Even if we know more now about our magic, and the Axis.

“Listen. I know we need to rehash everything that happened and come up with a plan, but can we have a little breathing room first? This day has been fucking eternal and, honestly, I can’t decide a damn thing right now.” I scrub my hand over my face.

I know we need to figure out what we’re going to do, and how we’re going to fight back against centuries old Fae, but I don’t have it in me tonight. Davis opens his mouth like he’s about to say something, but Miri stands, tugging his arm to get him out of the chair.

“Yes. We’ll leave you alone for the night. I’ve got a warding potion that I made. Davis and I will pour it around the house before we leave. We can talk tomorrow.”

“I have some ideas,” Emric says before bowing his head. “But I will let you rest tonight. We have some time before my plan can take place. We can discuss it after you’ve had a moment to come to a decision.” His words are meant for Ruby and me, and I’m stupidly grateful that there doesn’t appear to be pressure in any way.

“Do you even have a phone? Or is there some Fae Bat signal that we’re supposed to use to contact you?” Ruby says from the couch right before her mouth opens in a massive yawn.

Emric rolls his eyes. His mannerisms are this odd blend between formal and laid back.

“I’ll make sure one of you has my number.”

Pushing aside any remaining wariness about whether Emric is legitimately on our side, I hold out my hand. “Thank you for helping me earlier.”

A little of the hardness melts from Emric’s face as he clasps my hand in some form of a handshake. His gaze drifts over me to Ruby and Axil. “The High Fae have not made life pleasant in the villages they rule. The last thing any of us want is for them to gather more power. I am happy to help you all because it will help my people as well.”

I nod in understanding. I might not have a village I need to protect, but I have my friends. I have Ruby.

Everyone follows Miri’s lead and slowly makes their way out of my house, hugging Ruby goodbye. Zara lingers, hovering over Ruby before she caves and hugs her, sounding choked up as she says goodbye.

“If you need any other clothes, just let me know. It’s nice to be able to pay you back for letting me wear all your stuff for months,” Zara says with a pitying smile.

“I think that’s what hurts the most,” Ruby growls, looking like she’s about to get her second wind and go tear Colton a new asshole. Zara gives her arm a squeeze. We might not know definitively that Colton burned Ruby’s house down, but there’s no question he was involved.

“I think I still have some of your things at Rhys’s place.”

That perks up Ruby’s bleak mood the tiniest bit.

“Oh, and Ruby? Ask Ezra about the time he tattooed your face on Rhys’s arm.” Zara winks at me, and I shake my head. She might act innocent, but that shit-stirring gene is strong in their damn family.

Ruby raises her eyebrows at me, but I ignore her, shaking my head and giving Zara a disappointed look.

“Later,” I tell Ruby, wondering if she might just forget about it. Rhys gave me so much shit when he figured out it was Ruby’s face on the mermaid on his bicep. I didn’t even know I’d done it until he showed me.

When the door finally closes behind Rhys, I sigh and fight the desire to flop down on the couch. “Fucking finally.”

Ruby smiles, but she still doesn’t lift her gaze from Axil. I consider asking her if she wants to shower first, but I can already see how the conversation will play out. Ruby won’t want to leave Axil, even though she’s just going into the next room. I don’t bother with the back and forth. Instead, I move around to Ruby’s free side and pluck her off the couch. Axil lifts his head as though he knows exactly what I’m doing, so I barely disturb him.

“Hey, I’m snuggling with Axil.”

“He’ll be fine for five minutes while we shower.”

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