Page 26 of Crowned By the Shadow
She hesitated, clearly torn between the urgency of rescuing Wyn and the bond we shared. Finally, she sighed and nodded. “Alright. But let’s make it quick.”
We veered southward, using some of the pendant’s magic to quicken our pace. The landscape shifted as we traveled, the dense forest giving way to rolling hills and then to a small village nestled in a valley, the Sun Court’s outpost where Ronan had grown up.
As we approached, a chilling sight met our eyes: the village was overrun with feral fae.
“By the gods,” Senara whispered.
The creatures moved with jerky, unnatural motions, their eyes glowing with a sickly light. They swarmed over the village like locusts, tearing through homes and gardens with savage abandon.
“We have to help them,” I said, already moving forward.
Senara nodded grimly. “Let’s clear them out quickly. We can’t risk attracting the Empress’ attention.”
We split up, each using our magic to combat the horde. My Sun Kissed mark flared as I called upon the power of sunlight, sending searing beams of energy toward the feral fae. They shrieked and recoiled under the onslaught, their forms disintegrating into ash.
Senara moved with lethal grace beside me, her Moon Mark glowing with ethereal beauty. She summoned blades of moonlight that cut through the creatures like paper, her every strike precise and deadly.
A feral fae lunged at me from behind; I spun and incinerated it with a blast of solar fire. “Senara! Over here!”
She joined me in an instant, her presence bolstering my resolve. Together we pushed through the village, our combined magic cutting a swath through the chaos.
“Ronan!” I shouted as we fought our way toward his family home.
There was no answer, but more shrieks from feral fae as they fell under our assault.
We reached Ronan’s home, a sturdy stone building now besieged by half a dozen feral fae trying to claw their way inside.
Senara dispatched two with a slice of her sword while I incinerated another three in quick succession. The last one fell beneath my sword just as we reached the door.
“Ronan!” I pounded on it urgently.
The door creaked open cautiously before revealing Ronan’s imposing form on the other side, his hair disheveled but eyes sharp as ever despite signs of battle weariness etched into his features.
“Thorn? Senara?” His voice carried both relief and surprise before turning more serious immediately after taking in our expressions; he opened fully, allowing us inside where others cowered behind makeshift barricades within what remained secure amidst their otherwise besieged sanctuary.
“Ronan,” I said breathlessly, once safely inside again, catching sight around him confirming he’d been protecting many others beyond himself alone here.
The moment I stepped inside Ronan’s home, the weight of despair hit me. A group of terrified villagers huddled together in a corner, their eyes wide with fear. My heart clenched. This was not just about rescuing Wyn anymore; it was about saving everyone caught in the chaos of corruption.
“Get everyone out,” I urged Ronan, my voice low but firm. “We need to find a safe path through the woods.”
He nodded, his hair catching the faint light as he moved to rally the villagers. “Listen up! We’re going to escape through the back. Thorn and Senara will cover us.”
Senara stood at my side, her expression fierce despite the turmoil swirling within her. I could see her struggling against the grief over her father’s sacrifice while keeping her focus on what lay ahead. It reminded me why we had to act quickly; every second wasted risked another life.
I looked back at Ronan as he ushered people out the back door. He glanced at me over his shoulder, worry etched on his face. “Are you sure you can handle this?”
“Just go!” I snapped, irritation flaring for a moment before I caught myself.
Ronan led the way outside, pushing past the threshold with purpose. I turned my attention back to Senara, who gripped the pendant tightly as it pulsed softly against her skin.
“What if Eldric’s forces come for us here?” she asked, her voice began in a clear, battle ready tone, but as she continued talking, fear began lacing her words. “He might know that we’ve deviated from the path he laid out for us. What if he hurts Wyn in retaliation?”
“We won’t let them.” I took a breath and softened my tone. “We’ll hold them off until everyone is safe. Eldric doesn’t want to hurt Wyn. If he did, then he would have already. She’s his bait. He wanted her, whether it was just as bait or something to do with her power as well, I’m not sure, but he won’t risk her life.”
The sound of shattering glass from nearby pulled my attention back outside where feral fae were already closing in on us from all directions, their twisted forms moving like shadows in the fading light.
I summoned my magic once more, feeling warmth surge through me as sunlight ignited around my sword’s edge. “Get ready!”
