Page 60 of Great Falls Protector
Owalin halted the guard, regarding the girl from above. “You seem like a loyal friend to Leralynn. Is that right? Averyloyal friend.”
The girl frowned, plainly trying to work through the trap in the question—never realizing that her hesitation had already given Owalin all the information he needed.
12
Lera
“Deep, easy breaths, cub,” Shade says, guiding my magic alongside his across the shimmering screen of darkness.
He and River rigged it to keep the Night Guard from observing the mobilization of the newly formed human army, nearly a hundred strong. They cross the courtyard in neat rows behind us, royal athletes and trained cadets shoulder to shoulder with footmen, strong male and female guards, and even the gray-haired mathematics professor, all armed with whatever weapons they could lay their hands on. Many of them watch the towering wall of earth with wide eyes, mouths open in astonishment, reminding me of the first time I saw River wield his earth magic. Breathless tension fills the silent air, so thick you could cut it with a knife.
The screen is a risk—possibly a flat-out provocation—but River is gambling that Owalin won’t be quick to take new lives with the kings’ allegiance still hanging in the balance, and the element of surprise the shield grants is apparently vital for a successful assault. As for the plan itself, it is as simple to understand as it’s difficult to execute.
A surprise entry made from the balcony, with the males’ shields taking the first volley of arrows from the Night Guard archers and drawing Owalin’s forces toward the mezzanine. A minute after that, a second, larger force will enter through the side doors of the Great Hall, half of them keeping the Guard at bay while the other half focuses on getting the hostages out. River, meanwhile, will seek and take down Owalin. The importance of that last part all the rulers agreed on—a male like Owalin likely holds all the reins himself. Take out the driver, and the team of horses will scatter. Or, at least, stop.
Inhaling as Shade instructed, I savor the calming lungful of his earthy scent. The screen the males concocted is actually made up of bits of sand and dirt, held together by Shade’s silver magic that slides about like honey to keep everything in place. The healer makes the shifting magic look easy, but I know it will take all I have in me to replicate the smoothness.
“Pull the magic, don’t push it,” says Shade. “And don’t focus on the whole thing at once, just concentrate on any holes that start to show.”
“I know. You’ve said it five times.” I try and fail to sound annoyed—though Coal, stepping up beside us, has no such difficulties.
“She’ll be fine,” the warrior snaps, forbidding as usual in his head-to-toe black, his hand wrapped tightly around a sword hilt as he surveys the columns of brave mortals. “And unless you get your ass into position, Shade, the rest of us are going without you.”
When River first outlined the assault plan, my hackles had risen at the notion of staying behind to keep the screen powered while the males entered with the mortals, but the indignation settled quickly. One look at the males’ faces made it clear that they’d fight any suggestion of me joining the battle and—more importantly—would be incapable of keeping their wits about them on the mission if their pregnant mate was alongside. And even if there was a chance in hell we could have gotten past that, the fact remained thatsomeonehad to stay behind to keep the screen up, and the males were still the better swordsmen.
And less likely to lose control of their magic and accidentally bring the keep down on everyone’s head.
“The threat would carry more weight if therest of youweren’t all here as well,” I say, pointing behind Coal to where River and Tye are feigning invisibility, their faces tight. For all the battles we’ve gone into together—for all the battles the four of them have had over the centuries—this one feels different. As if the stakes are so much higher.
I swallow, forcing a smile for the males. My chest is tight, my heart a thin beat against my ribs. Clearing my throat, I stick my hands into my pockets, lest the males catch the slight tremble at the tips of my fingers.Shade takes complete control of the thick, wavering wall before us without a blink.
Stepping forward, River takes my face in his warm callused palms. “We’ve done this before, Leralynn. But we will be careful, I promise you that.”
“I know you have.” I nod quickly at him. “I’m just worried you’ll enjoy yourselves so much, you’ll forget I’m out here.”
“Verra good point.” Taking my hips in his wide hands, Tye spins me away from River. “I’m easily distracted. Better give me something to remember you by.” Before I can say a word, he lifts me easily to cover my mouth with a thoroughly pillaging kiss that sends a jolt of melting arousal through my core, making me want to purr against his mouth.
I’m still savoring the male’s dizzying pine-and-citrus taste when a knife whizzes by Tye’s ear to impale the ground behind us. I jerk in Tye’s arms, but he holds me closer still as if to make a point before pulling away leisurely and raising a brow at Coal.
Walking past Tye and me, Coal retrieves his knife from the ground and sheathes it inside his boot. “Let’s go. I want to kill something.”
“Evidently.” Tye touches a small cut on his ear, and my eyes widen at the realization that Coal marred more than just the damp ground. Setting me down, Tye traces my chin with his finger, his red hair glowing like fire under the lowering sun. “You did it, Leralynn. The mortals are ready to make entry with us. Together.”
“They’re ready to make bloody entrywithoutus,” Coal growls.
Tye rolls his eyes, and—stealing one more quick kiss—follows River toward where the teams of human warriors are shifting on their feet.
“Keep the shield up, mortal,” Coal says, our eyes locking. The brilliant blue hue in the male’s gaze flickers for a moment, the purple specks there promising he will fight to keep our quint safe. As much of a leave-taking as Coal can manage.
“Don’t show off too much,” I tell him roughly. The male snorts before turning to stride to position.
Turning to Shade, whose attention has been on keeping the screen powered through my good-byes, I put my hand on the healer’s forearm. “I’m ready.”
“I know you are, cub,” he says, the magic he’s been holding sliding over to settle around me like a cloak.
I gasp in surprise, and Shade brushes a light touch over my back, a soft, soothing motion that I dare not let distract me from the task. “Count to one hundred,” he says as my power fills the dark shield. “That is all the time we need to get into position. Then save your magic.”
“Easy.” I force a smile. “I’ve counted to a hundred dozens of times.”
