Page 79 of Night Fae
"Expecting to fight an army?" Knox asked, entering the armory with silent footsteps. The incubus wore his usual black, a sword already strapped across his back.
"Better prepared than dead."
Knox studied him. "Are you certain about this? The Fields of Memories aren't kind to those with pasts like ours."
Zev didn't answer. Instead, he tested the edge of a throwing knife against his thumb.
"What will you do if the Fields show you a vision of Rhys?" Knox pressed.
"Focus on your own demons," Zev shot back, sheathing the throwing knife.
Fortunately, Knox knew not to press further, and they finished arming themselves in silence before heading to the palace courtyard where the others waited.
Caelen stood near the stone fountain, dressed in the colors of his kingdom—black and silver, with hints of deep blue at the edges of his formal attire. He didn't wear a crown, but he didn't need one to appear regal. Daniel stood pressed against his side, the Shadow King's arm possessively wrapped around his waist.
"You're late," Caelen said, his voice cold as he regarded Knox and Zev. "Perhaps my servants should have reminded you of the urgency."
"We were selecting appropriate weapons," Knox replied evenly.
Caelen merely raised one eyebrow at them. "Do try to keep up with us once we depart."
Zev wanted to fire back at Caelen, but he was distracted.
Malik leaned against a stone pillar, still pale but standing on his own. Their eyes met across the courtyard, and something twisted in Zev's gut.
Caelen spoke again. "Now that the incubus and his friend have decided to join us, we can proceed." The Shadow King held four silver pendants, each bearing a complex symbol etched into the metal. "These are protection amulets. They won't shield us completely from the Fields' influence, but they should help us distinguish memory from reality."
Caelen distributed the amulets, placing Daniel's around his neck himself before tossing the others to Knox and Zev with barely a glance. "Do not remove these, no matter what you see or hear."
"How far is it to the Fields?" Daniel asked, fingers tracing the pendant now resting against his chest.
"Half a day's ride," Caelen replied, his tone softening when addressing his mate. "We'll reach the border by midday."
Servants brought three horses, already saddled and provisioned. Zev approached the sleek black mare assigned to him, examining the saddle straps.
"Planning to check every buckle?" Malik's voice came from behind him.
Zev turned. "You should be resting."
"I wanted to see you off." Malik stepped closer, lowering his voice. "And I want you to promise me something."
"What?"
"That you'll come back." Malik's voice was steady, but his hammering heartbeat—audible to Zev—betrayed his anxiety. "To me."
Those two words hung in the air between them.
"I can't promise that." Zev glanced over his shoulder. Daniel sat perched in front of Caelen on their shared mount, the Shadow King's arms encircling him as he took the reins. Knox busied himself with his own horse, pointedly not looking their way.
Meanwhile, Malik stepped closer to Zev, close enough that Zev could feel the warmth radiating from his body. "Why not?"
"I don't make promises I'm not sure I can keep."
Malik studied him for a long moment, then reached up to touch the side of Zev's face. The contact was brief but seared into Zev's skin like a brand. "I know you can't lie." Malik's voice dropped to a whisper. "But sometimes I wish you would."
Before Zev could respond, Caelen called impatiently for them to form up. Malik stepped back, his hand falling away. Zev mounted his horse, keenly aware of Malik's eyes on him as he guided the mare into position behind Knox.
Knox's mate had appeared at his side.
